These Teen Years

I know you’re going through a hard time. Everything you thought you knew about yourself is changing before your eyes — your friendships, relationships with family, interests, needs and desires. It’s all so cloudy. Who am I now? you ask yourself constantly. You’re uncertain where you stand on many issues, and swing wildly between two extremes: clinging to your fleeting childhood and growing up fast so you can do whatever the heck you want.
Your body is unrecognizable to you and because it’s still a work-in-progress. You feel awkward and self-conscious. Although I assure you, everyone else feels equally uncomfortable and definitely is not noticing you so much. They’re far more worried about their own reflection. Remember Only you can make yourself happy. And only you can figure out the strategies needed to do that. Yes, you’ll read some enlightening books and meet some wildly inspirational people — some of whom may come to mentor you. But ultimately, it all boils down to you finding the happiness formula that best fits you.
Progress is made with small, incremental and deliberate steps in the direction you want to go. Consistency and discipline matter. No shortcuts. No such thing as overnight success. Life itself is not complicated. Life happens and situations are only as easy or complicated as you choose to make them. Trust me. It’s that simple. Respect yourself always — no matter what. Never compromise your ethics, principles or values. This alone will earn you the respect of many. Not until you accept and love yourself the way you are will you be free. Always remember you are loved, you are beautiful and you are perfect just the way you are.

Credits:
Amy Wolff: Hello Summer
Little Butterfly Wings: A Little Peculiar Alpha
Font: Pea Kari (my handwriting)