Once upon a time, I thought I was going to grow up to be a hardcore corporate baddie. The girl that actually wanted an office job. Strut down the cubicle aisle in my polished blazer and slacks, briefcase in hand. March into conference rooms, padfolio neatly placed in front of me. Meetings, discussions, and hardcore debates about topics and other corporate shenanigans. I was all ready for it. That is, until reality hit me.

In a way, I have trauma with the corporate life: being used, mistreated, and disrespected. Seeing questionable people being handed equally questionable assigments, promotions, and responsibilities. Praise for those who don’t deserve it. Grown adults throwing tantrums, blame, and trying hard to pretend like they’re doing so much work.

On the other hand, commuting and the 8-hour work day makes me feel enslaved. How the heck am I supposed to go to a 10 AM pilates class? When do I get my grocery shopping done? One time, I wanted to get my hair permed (which takes all day pretty much) and the salon I wanted to go to didn’t open on weekends. I had to take a half day and then rush to the office after. But I suppose that’s life.

Shortly put, I am bad at work. I don’t like the rules. I don’t like to pretend. I don’t like feeling jailed. Maybe I have a shitty work ethic and like to lay around and do nothing. Maybe I have commitment issues. Maybe I’m just not where I’m supposed to be.

So here are the things I like to watch when the going gets tough. When I need a reminder to, well, work.

Suits

If you’re in a pinch, the pilot episode is all you need to watch to get you in the corporate baddie mood. We love a good underdog and we love a good badass who doesn’t take shit. Harvey Spector and Mike Ross are absolutely iconic together in that very way.

Younger

An incredibly unique and relatable story about a 40-year-old woman pretending to be 26 so she can get the damn job and make something of herself! This premise is so incredibly underrated. The acting, characters, humor, and quirky NYC backdrop make this such an amazing watch. Can someone please tell me how the heck did Emily in Paris get Emmy nominations? Over this masterpiece? Aka one of Darren Star’s most underrated work? I rest my case.

Succession

Nothing like a show about privileged rich people to make you want to be like them too. Kind of. All jokes aside though, Succession truly is one of the best written shows of all time. Not only will it give you office outfit inspo, but will definitely make you laugh as well. And honestly, at the end of the day, the show is less about the joys of wealth and more about its consequences. Puts quite a few things into perspective.

Legally Blonde

I actually first watched this movie in a delinquent elective class in high school. You know, one of those classess where everyone is clearly not going to do anything after graduation, move their desks around to sit with their friends, talk back to teachers, and have trouble turning in their homework?

Anyway, the poor teacher had incredible taste in movies, and she showed this one to the class in the efforts of teaching us a little something about grit. I really don’t know about the rest of that class, but I sure took something away from it. More than something. Quite a lot, actually. It’s a movie I come back to when I need a little pick me up because despite her blonde quirkiness, behind it all, Elle is damn relatable. And perhaps that is the whole point of the movie.