Game Of Thrones: 10 Life Lessons We Can Learn From Arya Stark

Arya Stark defied expectations throughout her arc in Game of Thrones. Fans initially meet her as the rebellious daughter of Ned and Catelyn Stark. She is the antithesis of her sister Sansa; throughout the series, Arya trains in swordplay and flees from the Lannisters, before traveling to Braavos to become a Faceless Assassin.

Arya saves the day in the final season by utilizing her skills to defeat the Night King. The hero of Winterfell becomes stronger as each season passes, growing into an esteemed warrior with an impressive list of accomplishments. From self-defense to survival, viewers can learn many life lessons from Arya Stark.

10 Listen To Your Mentors

Arya accumulates an assortment of mentors throughout the series. She trains with Syrio Forel in season 1, learning valuable lessons about water dancing and the God of Death. In later seasons, her mentorship is continued by various characters such as the Hound and Jaqen H’ghar.

Each mentor offers Arya worthy advice that aids her survival in the harsh, war-torn world of Westeros. She imbibes the strength of all her teachers to become one of the fiercest warriors in the Seven Kingdoms.

9 Be True To Yourself

From the beginning of the series, Arya knows that she isn’t destined to become a lady like her sister Sansa. Arya tells Ned that a life conforming to Westeros’ gender politics isn’t for her, and stays true to herself throughout the rest of her journey.

Arya leaves the Faceless Men in season 6 and finally embraces her true identity. In season 8, she rejects Gendry’s offer to reign at his side as the Lady of Storm’s End, reaffirming her status as a solo warrior.

8 Stick With Your Pets

Arya makes a heartbreaking decision early in her Game of Thrones journey. In season 1, the rebellious Northerner separates from her direwolf Nymeria after the wolf attacks the vicious Prince Joffrey.

Admittedly, Arya has to chase Nymeria away to save the direwolf from the wrath of Queen Cersei. Arya reunites with Nymeria in season 7, but their reconciliation is a brief affair that ends with the two parting ways once more.

7 Follow Your Instincts

Arya’s wolf-like instincts save her life several times throughout the series. Her sister Sansa is captured by the Lannisters in season 1, but Arya manages to escape the Red Keep and later flees King’s Landing. She stays hidden as she travels through the Riverlands, surviving against the odds.

Arya’s intuition is a valuable asset that aids her grueling adventures in Westeros and Braavos. The former Faceless Assassin’s keen instincts eventually save humanity when she sneaks past the army of White Walkers in “The Long Night” to stab the Night King.

6 Learn To Defend Yourself

Arya’s combat skills prove to be her most crucial skill for survival throughout her arc. She begins training with Syrio Forel in season 1, but her fighting abilities are truly honed during her tenure as a trainee at the House of Black and White.

Even prior to her training, Arya manages to overpower opponents with her sword Needle. The hero of Winterfell adapts to a harsh life traveling the world as she learns to defend herself in an assortment of scenarios.

5 Don’t Be Consumed By Vengeance

A thirst for revenge drives Arya throughout most of the show. The Northern exile begins crafting her list of people to kill in season 1 with Cersei, Joffrey, and their henchman. Arya manages to cross multiple names off her list and avenges her family’s Red Wedding deaths by killing Walder Frey.

Arya’s vengeance continues to drive her until season 8. The Hound convinces her to abandon her quest and flee the Red Keep instead of killing Cersei, warning her against following in his footsteps.

4 Don’t Be Afraid To Make Friends And Allies

Arya regards herself as a lone wolf trying to return to her pack after she escapes from King’s Landing. Despite her separation from her family, she accumulates a surrogate pack of her own as she travels through the Riverlands with Hot Pie and Gendry.

She becomes friends with several instrumental characters who guide her journey throughout the series. In season 8, she recognizes the importance of allying with Daenerys against the Night King, despite distrusting the Targaryen queen and her troops.

3 Be Brave In The Face Of Danger

Arya displays unparalleled bravery throughout her journey in Game of Thrones. She survives a harsh life on the run in the Seven Kingdoms, and her unwavering courage causes her to survive the Long Night by defeating the Night King.

The former Faceless Assassin overcomes her fear with the mantra, “Fear cuts deeper than swords.” Arya’s bravery is an admirable asset that is crucial to her becoming Westeros’ most accomplished warrior.

2 Be Observant

Arya’s training with the Faceless Men allows her to see through deception and recognize when other people are lying. While in Braavos, Arya plays the game of faces with Jaqen and the Waif, crafting a perfect poker face that surpasses her sister’s.

Arya sees through Littlefinger’s manipulation in season 7’s “The Dragon And The Wolf.” The Stark siblings team up to take down the man who betrayed their father, with Arya delivering the execution blow.

1 Have Confidence In Who You Are

Arya struggles to reclaim her identity as a Stark throughout the series, having to deny her true heritage while hiding from the Lannisters. After sailing to Braavos, Arya willingly abandons her true self to train at the House of Black and White and become a Faceless Assassin.

She finally embraces her identity in season 6, proudly declaring to Jaqen that she is “Arya Stark of Winterfell.” Arya’s faith in herself is reminiscent of Daenerys’ speech to Jon in season 7. Both women were exiles who learned to embrace their heritage, offering valuable life lessons for viewers throughout their respective arcs.

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