How “Gravity Falls” Helped Me Navigate My Way Into Adulthood

If you’re on Instagram, TikTok or even just visiting your local Barnes and Noble, you’ve probably seen or heard of the greatest show—now book—in the history of existence: “Gravity Falls.”

It’s amazing. It’s incredible. Dare I say, life-changing. Certainly, it’s captured the weird humor and obsessive overanalyzing of Gen Z’s youth.

The show follows twins Dipper and Mabel who are sent to live with their great-uncle “Grunkle” Stan, who owns a tourist trap called the “Mystery Shack” in the woods. Soon, the siblings discover that mythological monsters, mysterious secrets and adventure lurk throughout their new home.

With the first episode’s premiere in the summer of 2012 came the emergence of a Gen-Z cult following and the start of my own obsession with the show. Every week, my twin and I sat excitedly, almost impatiently, in front of the TV waiting for the next episode.

We loved it because it was one of the few shows that depicted twins in a positive light, unlike “The Shining” with its creepy twins asking you eerily to play with them.

Mabel and Dipper, although different from one another, still loved each other and did everything together. Their fun summer adventures became ours, just without the mortal peril.

The fan theories were downright bizarre, but oh-so fun. Like how Gompers The Goat was possessed by the main villain, Bill Cipher, because they had the same vertical eyes. Or that Gideon, a child psychic with white hair, was actually an immortal villain.

We were willing to spend hours watching the show, and then more combing every detail, every obscure frame looking for the most minuscule of details to prove that Grunkle Stan had a secret twin brother. Spoiler alert: he did!

Twelve years later, as the new “Book of Bill” by Alex Hirsch hit the shelves and rapidly sold out, I rediscovered the story that had such a special place in my heart as a child.

“Travels to dimensions meant for older readers” reads a stamp on the front cover—which, despite “Gravity Falls” still technically being a children’s show—indicates the target audience is the kids who grew up watching the show, who are now young adults taking on the world.

With this new addition to the canon, many fans—including myself—found ourselves reverted right back into giddy little kids, excitedly turning each page, deciphering codes and carefully studying the lore of a little triangle in a top hat and stick arms.

Its legacy endures, with countless fan communities still buzzing with theories, fan art and discussions about the series' deeper meanings. Even now, I find myself revisiting old episodes, amazed at how much I missed the first time around.

It’s easy to feel nostalgic for what was over a decade ago—just before the pandemic and lockdown, just before social media was on our radar, just before the world seemed smaller and bigger at the same time. Still, time marches on forward and so must we.

As I’ve crossed into adulthood, the joys of experiencing new things and making new friendships have helped offset the weight of responsibilities. Yet, I still miss those long, endless summers when I was still a kid and things were simpler.

“Gravity Falls” taught me a lot—that it’s okay to be weird, unique and not feel like you fit in because that makes you, you. It inspired a love of all things strange, mythological and wondrous.

But, it’s ultimately a show about summer, and summer has to end as a new arc begins. Just like these animated characters that have a piece of my heart have to grow up, we eventually have to grow up ourselves.

But that doesn’t mean that we can’t embrace the things we loved as kids—and the new, amazing things we have yet to discover.

In the gruff words of Grunkle Stan “Just because you grow up doesn’t mean you have to ‘grow up’ you know?”