High school can bring you the greatest years of your life, but also, the roughest. Why's that? Us teenagers need to grow, learn, all whilst being in high school.
There isn’t a guide to life, I believe you create one as you grow up. So, this is the guide I have made up along my years of high school, one which I will like to share with the rest of the world. I still have a lot to learn, I'm just getting started.
However, what better way to keep track of helpful advice than to write it down? I have applied these to my daily life, but I also wrote them down so if I ever forget, I'll look back and read them. So, if you're ever in need of advice with no one to talk to, just look for your worry in this article and read it. Just remember, you are not the only one.
1) Don't fear the future.
The future can hold so many questions, possibilities, and uncertainties. It's scary, sometimes even too much. You need to make decisions at such a young age that could possibly determine and dictate the rest of your life.
I often find myself thinking, what if I make the wrong decision? What if I don't end up being happy with my career? What if I don't make enough money to sustain a living? What if I can never get a stable job?
I'm going to have to hold onto these questions and answer them twenty or thirty years from today. Until then, I'll just have a strong sense of hope that in the end, it will all work out on its own. Just don't forget, you don't have to have your whole life figured out by senior year in high school.
Sure, it's nice to have a general idea of what you want your goals or dreams to be, but if you don't, there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. Don't stress over your life, it's completely ahead of you. You'll figure it out along the way.
2) Never stay in toxic relationships.
Toxic relationships are a very dangerous issue and it should never be taken lightly. Half of the time, you don't even realize somebody is toxic and when you do, it's too late. Here's one thing you should learn: never stay with someone because of the history.
Never stay with someone just because you've known them for years. If a person is putting you down, disrespecting you, making you feel low or bad about yourself, step away. Realize your worth first. Just because it's your best friend or a close person to your heart doesn't mean they have the right to power over you.
3) Never let anyone pressure you.
This is your life. Nobody else has a say in it. No friend, lover, or anybody of yours gets to control your life.
No one gets to walk in your shoes. Sure, they may walk beside you, but not for you. You do what you want to, on your terms.
If somebody ever pressures you into doing something you don't want to do, you back out immediately. It's okay to say no. It's okay to say stop. Don't ever feel bad about saying those two words. There's nothing wrong with establishing your limits.
4) Ignore the overthinking.
We have all been in this situation. It's late at night and our mind wanders off into a billion racing thoughts. Suddenly, overthinking hits you again.
I've definitely been in this scenario before, just like everyone else. So, why do you let yourself overthink every little detail? I've heard friends say it's uncontrollable but it's not, actually.
Whatever you train your mind into thinking, it will do. Stop thinking about things that you can't change. Some things will happen in your life and you have to accept the fact that you can't change them.
If you want to be happy, then stop overthinking. It may sound easy, but if you truly believe it, letting it go would be a piece of cake.
Moreover, if you're going to overthink, then why not do it with positive thoughts? If you can constantly worry about everything that might go wrong, then change your mindset and wonder about all of the things that could go right. It is scientifically proven that if one starts thinking negative thoughts, poisons are released onto the blood, and these thoughts show up as unfortunate events in life. Don't spend your days acquiring a pessimistic behavior.
5) Accept your fate.
From this point on, I won't let troubles faze me. I will not waste time feeling afraid, guilty, or ashamed. Whatever happens, happens. If I can change it, I'll make it better. If I can't, I won't stress over it.
Step away.
Breath in.
Breath out.
Let everything flow.
Things will work out in the end. They always do.
Most importantly, HAVE FUN!
I know, I know, this is the most cliché phrase ever used when it comes to high school. Take it from me, I'm gonna be a senior in just two months. I will be starting my college applications this year.
To me, that's insane. I remember complaining whilst being in school all the time. I used to refuse to believe that time was going to pass so quickly.
I never thought I would have gotten old. I never pictured myself entering my senior year. I just thought it was so far away, and this is why I never got to fully appreciate my high school years.
They go by in seconds. If you're a freshman or a sophomore reading this, please promise me one thing. Appreciate your school years.
You never acknowledge what you have until, suddenly, it's all gone. One day you are celebrating your first day as a freshman, and the next you're applying to your dream university. Yes, school can be stressful, tiresome, demanding, and difficult.
Nonetheless, you will never be able to take these days back. Cherish them, treasure them. Appreciate those special moments with your friends in the school hallways before it's too late.
You've come to the end, I hope you've enjoyed all of my brief advice. I hope that if you ever feel like you can't reach out to anyone, you reach out to this article and live by these words. Remember, you do not need to have your whole life figured out by now.
That's where the beauty of being a teenager comes to life. You're allowed to make mistakes. You're allowed to be yourself.
You're allowed to live your life. Laugh with your friends. Go the extra mile in school.
Cry and vent to your loved ones if you need to. Dance and sing out loud in the shower or in your bedroom. Fall in love.
Spend some time with your family. Tell that person you miss them. Appreciate your freedom.
Explore who you are. Have adventures. You're learning every single day.
There will be downs, victories, problems, sadness, triumphs, losses, gains, trials, errors, everything. However, all of that is perfectly fine and you don't need to beat yourself up for it. Keep your head up, count your blessings, be thankful everyday, stay grounded, and keep a sense of who you are.
I'm rooting for every one of you. You got this.
