A Special Message for Teens

I know that high school can suck…

In fact, it’s liable to be the worst and most difficult time in your life. Everything is changing, and you are the least prepared for any of it.

Your body, feelings, social groups, school, friends, and relationships with the people you live with – namely, your parents.

Add those changes to all the pressures you now have: school, grades, advanced classes, homework, college prep, activities, a job, parental expectations, a boyfriend or girlfriend, sports teams, clubs, social media, car/gas/insurance, lack of privacy, and let’s not forget peer pressure.

And with this, you have been left to try to figure all these life-changing issues without the benefit of the life experience you will eventually have.

It’s not fair.

But, trust me, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel.

If you’re perfect…

You’re probably also carrying the weight of the world, trying to do everything. And I mean everything (everything means all the items in the above paragraphs).

If this is you, right now, you are probably disregarding what I am saying. I mean, maybe someone else can’t handle successfully doing all you do… but they aren’t you… right? But slowly, perhaps you realize that there are only so many hours in the day… and there is only so much time you can cut from your sleep to get it all done…

What if I told you that you could succeed even more if you weren’t?

If you could be more efficient, more focused, and more successful in the things that really mattered to you?

If you’re different, odd, or weird…

You don’t dress the same, act the same, and don’t think the same as most people at your school. And while there may be groups you can hang with sometimes, you are an outsider.

You have different interests, dreams, and priorities. Even though you can and have learned to tough these situations out, it’s hard not to feel lonely and left out sometimes.

What if I told you that what makes you different will be your greatest strength and celebrated in the future?

If you’re just not sure where you fit in or don’t really care…

Maybe you don’t feel like either one of the groups above. You’re just “a regular kid” trying to get through it. But maybe you are looking for answers or at least some help or some direction to find them.

You don’t really stand out (and believe me…you don’t need to), but you’re a good kid – doing what you are supposed to do, but not sure what you want to do…or who you want to be.

What if I told you that not only is not being “in a group” necessary, but may actually enable you to figure out who you are easier in the future?

High school is a small place.

When you step out into the world, whether it be college or a job, that world is going to expand greatly.

Suddenly, you will find another group of like-minded friends who respect, embrace and celebrate your differences (and individuality) who will challenge you in the areas that you are good at and that you enjoy and make you better. Your success will be defined by you, not by anyone else or some preconceived notion of what success is to someone else.

It’s a lot to ask a teenager “to figure out what they want to be or do” while they are just starting their lives…Teachers, colleges, friends, family and (especially) parents are asking (and expecting) answers…REALLY???

I know, if they are honest, 99% of them will tell you they had no clue what they wanted to be when they were your age.

You have a lot of life to live – embrace that! You can make it a ride that you enjoy if you are willing to accept change and growth and be okay with it.

This is a chance to take a breath and really consider your dreams, options, opportunities, and where you might want your life to go.