Many of us were involved in a great deal in high school -- sports, hobbies, clubs, band, etc. Along with these commitments, we were supposed to make perfect grades, stay healthy, both physically and mentally, while keeping an active social life. Many 16-year-olds are still stressing over every single part of their life being perfect, whether it’s their grades, friends, bodies, sports, etc. We are obsessed with the idea of perfection. If there’s one thing I learned some years later, it’s that having imperfections is OK. You are not going to follow the exact plan you wanted to, but that doesn’t mean you failed.
1. Grades are not the most important part of your life.
Too many times, I stressed over one B, my GPA not turning out as great as I expected, and my ACT score not being as high as I had hoped. I’m not saying you shouldn’t strive to be the best you can be, because you should; however, there’s a difference between being your best you, and pushing yourself past the breaking point. One bad grade will not determine your future, but burning yourself out right now can. So, study hard, but know your limits.
2. Don’t let someone else’s opinion of you define how you feel about yourself.
Whether it’s what you wear or your interests, it doesn’t matter what other people think about it. Teenagers are always going to make judgements about you no matter what. Stop letting others bully you into liking what they like and doing what they do. Wear what you feel best in, and be passionate about your interests. Don’t let someone who calls you a nerd keep you from reading, and don’t let someone who makes fun of your clothes stop you from wearing your favorite outfit.
3. Stop letting your mistakes define you.
Just like other people’s opinions don’t define you, neither do your mistakes. You’re a teenager, and you’re going to mess up. It’s inevitable. You won’t be perfect. Learn from them and move on because no one besides yourself is going to remember every little slip up. No matter what it is, stop stressing over the imperfections and focus on all of the good you have already done.
4. Your body is not everything.
We focus way too much on the “perfect body.” As you scroll through Instagram, you wish to look like those girls, but everyone is different. Love the way you’re made. If you love to run, but people say you’re “too skinny,” do it anyway. If working out is your passion, but you’re told your arms are “too muscular,” keep going. As long as you’re healthy, it doesn’t matter what others say about it. We live in a world where girls are too big, too skinny, too muscular, too whatever. You can’t win, so quit stressing over it and get to a place that makes you feel good about yourself, no matter what place that is.
5. Remember that you do matter.
There are going to be times when you want to quit, and when you don’t feel good enough, but this feeling will go away. As little as you think you matter sometimes, remember that you do. You may not feel like you have many close friends, but you matter to the ones you do have, to your family, even your teachers. What you do and who you are matters. Remember that you're important, and don't forget to tell your loved ones how much they matter to you also. One day, you're going to find your place in the world. So, keep doing what you love, be passionate and kind, work as hard as you can and be the best possible you, no matter who that “you” is.
