By Ash Kaushik
Honestly, being a teenager today isn’t easy. There’s so much going on in the world & your own life so it gets rather overwhelming! However, you’re not alone & loads of people have felt the same way. They even have some things to say that’ll make those years a little easier for you. Here are ten important things every teen needs to hear to get through these wild & exciting times. Your youth is more fun than you think and it’s time for you to live the best years of your life with all the happiness they deserve.
Comparing Yourself to Others Doesn’t Help
Seeing other people who are the same age as you succeed makes you feel like you’re not measuring up. For example, maybe a friend got into a great college. But everyone’s journey is different & you should focus on your own goals-as well as what makes you happy. Celebrate your achievements!
What You See Online Isn’t the Whole Story
Similarly, on social media, it seems like everyone else is living their best life, with amazing vacations and perfect exam scores. However, people usually share their highlights, not the tough times. Those photos & posts don’t show the full picture! You should focus on the real connections in your life instead of the curated moments others share online. They’re not worth wasting your time or effort over.
Everyone Makes Mistakes-And That’s Okay
Bombing a test or saying something you wish you could take back are things that happen to everyone. Making mistakes is just a part of life. Rather, what’s important is what you do afterward. Instead of beating yourself up, think about what you’ll learn from it so that you’re better prepared next time or able to handle the situation another way. Cut yourself some slack. Nobody’s perfect & that’s how life works so you’ll have to learn how to deal with that.
It’s Totally Fine to Be Unsure About the Future
Many teens have no idea what they want to do with their lives & that’s completely okay. It’s the perfect time to explore your interests without stressing about the future! Maybe this week you’re into photography-next week, you discover a love for coding. It’s really okay. There’s no rush to figure everything out right now so give yourself the freedom to discover what truly excites you. In fact, some people never do that.
Your Emotions Matter
Some days, you might feel on top of the world and other days, you might feel down without really knowing why. It’s completely normal during your teenage years because you’re going through a lot of changes. All your feelings are real and important. Rather than ignoring them or letting others make you feel like they don’t count, try to express how you’re feeling. You can do this by talking to a friend or even writing in a journal. Whatever you choose, just make sure that you let your emotions out.
Looking After Your Mental Health Is Important
Similarly, you probably know that you should take care of your body by eating well and staying active. Your mind is no different. Make time for things that make you happy & help you relax, whether that’s listening to music or spending time outdoors. Even hanging out with friends is okay! Whenever you feel down, don’t hesitate to talk to someone you trust. There’s absolutely no shame in reaching out.
You’ve Got More Strength Than You Realize
When life gets tough, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. However, you should try to think back to other challenges you’ve faced-more than likely, you managed to overcome them. Each time, you found a way to keep going because you have more inner strength than you might think. Trust yourself. You’re able to handle whatever comes your way so believe in your abilities.
Asking for Help Shows Courage
Regardless of what you might hear, reaching out isn’t a sign of weakness-it’s a sign of strength. Really, it doesn’t matter if it’s school stress or personal issues. Talking to someone you trust will help you more than you realize & nobody expects you to handle everything on your own. Everyone needs support sometimes. And that includes teenagers!
Your Ideas Can Make a Difference
Never tell yourself you can’t make an impact just because you’re young. Your thoughts & actions matter, whether that’s because of an idea you have for a community project or because you want to start a new club at school. Go for it! Your age doesn’t limit your ability to contribute, so believe in your ideas-you could change the world. It all starts with speaking out.
It’s Normal for Friendships to Change
As you get older, you might notice that you’re not as close with some friends as you used to be. But don’t sweat it-that’s totally normal. As you grow and change, so do your friendships. Of course, you might feel sad about drifting apart but you should also be open to meeting new people who share your current passions. Don’t feel guilty about moving on from relationships that don’t feel right anymore.
Originally published at msn.com
