I think when we get older we look back on life and think, if I would have known what I know now, things would be different. So we educate and we lecture those younger than us to stay away from the things we have done.
It's annoying to hear that sometimes, or to hear the phrase, "when I was your age."
But let me tell you this, no matter how old, how successful, or how wise, there is still that little boy, or little girl that made mistakes in life. Some may forget, and some may have blocked it out, but it happened.
But here are some things I would say.
1. Drugs won't keep you high forever, they'll ruin your life
Ryan Whitlow
We have heard about drugs, talked about it, seen it, but there's a reason for that. One drugs are expensive. Two it's an addiction, with that comes not only physical and mental issues, but also the loss of possible friends, family, jobs, money, and maybe even your life.
It isn't cool anymore.
You play a sport, you want to be in law enforcement, you want a big time career, well say goodbye to any of that if you mess around with drugs.
It's not a joke.
It'll get inside your mind, making you feel on top of the world, only to drop you.
2. Mental illness isn't meant to be romanticized
Morgan Basham
I think the media does a fair job of portraying mental illness through popular tv shows, and songs, making it both relatable and understandable. But this isn't some fantasy either, it's not just for the sake of a show, or a song, it's real.
Maybe it's anxiety, or maybe it's a bipolar disorder. There are so, so many mental illness' varying from different extremes. But all are important, all are serious, and all can be helped. They're not meant to be done alone, they aren't meant to make you feel bad or less than.
In fact most people struggle with at least one thing, it's what make us human.
But mental illness isn't meant to be ignored.
It's your body's way of saying it needs attention, it needs help.
Talk to someone.
3. Label's don't speak truth
@prochurchmedia
Stereotypes have been around since forever.
No one is a stranger to them. Whether you're labeling someone in the halls of your school, or in the streets of your city, it's all the same.
But labels don't define you.
Someone may say something about you, or you may think a certain way about yourself.
Word's don't define you, actions do.
Give yourself some time, because you're not going to be the same person 10 years from now.
So take it easy on yourself.
This is a time to learn, and explore who you are, it's not going to be a perfect or easy route but you'll get there.
And even if you don't know what your "label" is,
You'll get there.
4. School is important, but so are you
Nicola Tolin
School is so important.
Chances are you've heard that a few times.
But here's the thing,
1. Some people still do not have the privilege, the opportunity, or the money, so if you're in a school that is a pretty big deal.
2. Learning, and going to school help you with jobs and careers down the road, even if you don't think they do.
3. Your time in school might not be the best years of your life, but trust me, those are the years you will learn the most about yourself, others, and your future.
Don't waste this time, work hard, and don't treat it like a joke.
But for the overachievers, don't let school give you a mental breakdown.
Take a break every once in a while, it's okay.
Learning is also meant to be fun, and school is also a time to meet friends and grow as a person.
So don't miss out.
5. Cutting is more than a mark on your arm
@thoughtcatalog
Cutting is a form of expression.
And expression of deep, deep pain and hurt.
Maybe you're struggling with yourself, your appearances, your worth, or your feelings.
Maybe others have hurt you, or anxiety and depression have overwhelmed you.
All these feelings are both valid, and real.
They should be expressed, and they should be heard.
But cutting won't solve the much bigger problem.
You may leave tiny scars on your wrist, but nothing compares to the scar on your heart.
Listen to that, and don't ignore your pain.
There are other ways to express it that will bring about true healing.
6. Starved to death
Jennifer Burk
They say true beauty comes from within.
And to be honest, I fully agree with that.
Though society is trying to push us towards the idea that the world is excepting all shapes and sizes, we know in many ways there is still a deep shame when we see beautiful models on magazine covers.
But let me tell you, you are not them, you are you.
Not eating, or eating a lot, isn't going to get you to where you want to be in the end.
It's not beautiful, it's not glamorous, it's a death sentence.
Hurting yourself won't make you feel better about yourself.
It makes it even worse.
7. Suicide won't send the message you really want to send
@dearferdo
Suicide says I'm unhappy with who I am, I'm unhappy with my life, people won't care if I'm gone, so I'll take it upon myself to end my own life.
Maybe someone hurt you, and maybe an entire school bullied you.
Maybe you are feeling incredibly depressed, and insecure with who you are.
And maybe your life sucks.
But ending your life won't tell the bullies they're mean, it won't end pain because it'll just pass on to a million others, and it won't just end your life, it'll end the lives of everyone who knew you, and everyone who loved you.
No matter how much we want to promote self-love, people continue to end their lives on a daily basis.
But please, please don't be one of them.
It's not just that your life matters, it's that there is NO ONE else like you.
Don't deprive the world, your family, your loved ones, and even you of what you have to offer.
Give this dark period of your life some patience, because it won't always be this way.
And if you feel suicidal, please reach out to someone.
8. Know who your friends are
Ethan Hu
Know that one friends come and go, and that's okay.
Some friends are not meant to be in our lives forever, just as not everyone might like us, but that's life.
If you have friends who treat you badly, talk behind your back, make you do things you don't want to do, or bring you down, then know that it's okay to not be friends with those people.
You have your whole life to keep making friends, maybe you have amazing friends and you don't want to lose them. But know that were there is one group of amazing friends, there will be another.
Or maybe you have none, or a small group, or friends that completely bring you down but it's better than being alone.
Listen if they are discouraging you as a person, making you feel bad, or having a negative influence, it's okay to say no.
There will always, always be more people to meet and get to know.
So don't settle for crappy friends. Hold out for the good ones.
All I want you to know is everything you're feeling, both good and bad, is normal.
The major ups, and extreme downs, are apart of growing up. It's not weird, or different from what anyone else has gone through.
Know that it isn't forever, and there is more out that then you even realize yet.
Give yourself time to discover that. Take care of yourself so you can have a future,
nurture yourself so you can love others and develop friendships, learn so you can grow and change the world, and be patient with yourself, because life isn't easy.
Depression, anxiety, peer pressure, mental illness, suicidal thoughts, eating disorders, those are all very valid and serious things. They aren't meant to be ignored, dismissed, or used to make you feel bad. You feel that way for a reason, and no one should judge you for it.
But allow yourself to feel it, pay attention to it.
Talk to someone, get help if you need it, because it's more than okay.
Growing up is hard, but you'll get there.
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