My current pet peeve's include:

"Some of y'all peaked in high school and it shows."

"So glad I didn't peak in high school."

"Sorry, you peaked in high school.

"Peaking" in life is an absolutely ridiculous concept. When we say things like " I'm so glad I didn't peak in high school," we are establishing a negative connotation around people that succeed more in high school than in another part of their ongoing life, particularly their life in college. We feed into the idea that college is supposed to be better than high school, for our personal, social, and professional lives.

I understand that college is the next step for a lot of young people after high school, but to say that excelling in one part of your life over someone who excelled in an earlier or later part of their life is truly ridiculous.

I am one of those people that "peaked" in high school. For me, high school was great. I felt successful and I felt comfortable. I was involved, I had good friends, and I liked my lifestyle. I thrived in high school and I hate that my accomplishments feel minuscule because they weren't in the "correct" period of my life... but much of that life has changed. My friends are no longer the same, my interests are different, and I'm "working on it." I have small achievements every day, and I know that still have a lot to achieve.

The person that I was in high school was so different from who I am now. College me is not what I would call "thriving," but I am also building my life around this new person that I am getting to know.

Although, I thrived more in high school than I am in college doesn't mean I've hit my "peak," and it also doesn't mean that the accomplishments I have already made should be overlooked, even if they were in high school. We cannot put success on a timeline.

For the people that feel that they are excelling in college, whether it is in your personal, social, or professional life. I'm happy for you all. I'm happy that you are doing better things for yourself in this part of your life. That you are striving, accomplishing, and thriving, but guess what... some people did that in high school and they shouldn't be shamed for it.

Also, some people thrive years after college and do you want them saying "Wow, some people really peaked in college, and it shows" about you?

I don't know who originally said it, but "life is a marathon, not a sprint." Sometimes the runner that was way in the back makes their way to the front. Sometimes the runner leading the pack falls behind. Sometimes, you find the energy to move up several spots. Sometimes you have to stop and catch your breath.

Sometimes we thrive and sometimes we fall behind.

These aren't "peaks" because a peak signifies the end, no more ground to cover, the ribbon at the finish line. These are "milestones." These are accomplishments, moments, and even failures that have turned into lessons.

Peaks signify an end. Milestones mean we've got more running to do. Keep going.

Thrive, whenever.