I’ve been binging Newlyweds this week. Do you remember that show? It was an MTV reality series in the early 2000s, starring Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey. Back then, I loved watching it—I thought that’s what married life looked like. It seemed fun, glamorous, and obviously very different from what my own life would ever be (the missing celebrity status on my end had something to do with that).
Recently, Facebook and Instagram kept showing me short clips from the show, and eventually I gave in. I found the first season on YouTube and started rewatching. Honestly, it was fascinating to see it again 20 years later.
Jessica was only 22 when she got married—so young in my book. She and Nick had never lived together before, and suddenly they were “playing house.” It came with lots of challenges, and watching it now made me realise how much you can learn about life (and even business!) from their dynamic.
Here are my top 3 takeaways:
1. If nobody shows you how, you won’t know.
If you’ve never been taught something, how could you possibly know how to do it? Jessica had lived at home until she married, and because she was in the public eye from her early teens, she always had maids and cooks around. She suddenly went from that to being responsible for a huge house—and it showed.
She often got made fun of by Nick for not knowing how to do the simplest things, but really, she had never had to learn them.
👉 The lesson? Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Find someone to explain the things you don’t know—whether that’s how to cook a meal, fix something in your house, or run your business. There are mentors, courses, and communities everywhere that can make your life so much easier.
2. Hire help when you need it.
On top of her lack of household experience, Jessica was busy with her career. Cleaning and tidying just weren’t realistic, and the tension between her and Nick grew as a result. Eventually, they hired a cleaner—and suddenly the house looked better and the arguments eased (at least until the next incompatibility came up, but that’s another story).
👉 The lesson? Outsourcing isn’t a weakness—it’s often a necessity. Whether in your personal life or business, hiring help can free up your time and energy for the things that matter most.
If you’re looking for support in your own business, I’ve put together a resource page with trusted service providers for small businesses.
3. Test before you commit.
One of the biggest issues in their marriage was that they had never lived together before the wedding (a religious decision around protecting purity, which was even mentioned in the ceremony). The reality of sharing a home came as a huge shock to both of them.
Would they have married if they’d had the chance to test living together first? Who knows. But it’s a reminder of how important it is to try things before you commit fully.
👉 The lesson? In business, this is why free trials, pilots, or short-term projects exist. I’ve often saved myself money and headaches by testing something out before going all in.
Who knew a 20-year-old reality TV show could be so insightful?
Have you watched Newlyweds—back then or now? I’d love to know what you took away from it.
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