Everybody has the awkward phase around middle school that nobody likes to talk about. Surviving this phase is important, though, and I’m glad it happened. My phase consisted of braces, orange hair from a Sun-In disaster and wearing belts on shirts instead of pants.
Looking back at this part of my life, I can laugh. It’s so important to laugh at yourself, because at the time, you thought you were the bomb. Cool as a cucumber. And that’s a good thing! Without the awkward phase, I never would have gained the confidence I have today.
I don’t think I’m the prettiest, most perfect girl there is, but I can say that I evolved. In the awkward phase, I was someone without any confidence because I didn’t look like the girls on Disney Channel who were the same age as me, or even like some of the girls I went to school with who took the time to do their hair and makeup every morning. I'm not knocking it, but I prefer to sleep in.
Today, I have so much confidence because I can look back at my 8th grade pictures and think, “Well, at least I don’t look like that anymore.” And even though looks aren’t everything, I got so much ridicule for how I looked, and it was for things I couldn’t really help. Because of that, I was very quiet and unsure of myself. Growing out of that made me confident and someone who can talk to anyone without worrying what they think. I think worrying about what others thought so much kind of taught me not to do that.
Boys didn’t like me, and I think some girls didn’t like me just because I didn’t succumb to the “norms” of wearing makeup and expensive clothing every single day. I cared so much at the time about what people thought, but fortunately, I was able to learn from it.
To the girls who didn’t like me because I didn’t look perfect every day, I got to sleep more than you and spend my mom’s money on food and "Sims" games, so ha. To the boys who couldn’t give me the time of day, I see you liking my pictures on Instagram now. Should’ve been nice to me in middle school!
Looking back, everyone was in their awkward phase in middle school, even if, at the time I thought they were perfect. Almost everyone had braces, glasses, frizzy hair or Ashley Tisdale circa 2004-style outfits. So, laugh at yourself. Yes, you were awkward. But no, you weren’t awful. You were stylish and cool, and I hope you're confident from overcoming that and becoming the fabulous person you are today!
