With both my little brother Jensen currently in high school as well as babysitting various kids in high school and junior high recently, this entire age group been on my mind a lot these days.
As a starter, high school was arguably the most difficult time of my entire life.
It’s a time when EVERYONE is trying to figure out who they are, who their true friends are, who they aspire to be one day etc. etc.
Figuring all this stuff out is hard enough. But then you add the dreadful braces, hormones, expectations, puberty, cliques, judgmental peers etc. all in the mix and it’s just a sticky situation all around.
(Insert- I WAS NOT perfect in high school. Nor am I anything close to perfect right now. This is simply me looking back and reflecting + adding my personal thoughts on what I wish I knew while I was in high school. As an adult and seeing these conversations and situations take place, I can’t help but have a little heart breakage goin on for what we’ve all had to endure)
Lately, I overheard various conservations that I just want to cringe at.
I want SO BADLY to sit some of these teenagers down and say…
Sweetie, you CAN’T call someone fat like that.
WHO CARES what you post! Post what you want. Social media has zero rules.
Just let ANYONE in your dang dance group. Being exclusive is just dumb.
As much as you hate to admit it, your parents are probably right. Listen to them.
Being popular is so unimportant I can’t stress it enough.
Why are you limiting how many friends you can have? Have as many friends possible.
Put down your cell phone and go spend quality time with your family outside of that iPhone screen.
If you don’t have plans on a weekend night, it isn’t the end of the world.
I really did forget how hard it is to be around people that bully and judge you everyday within the halls of your own school.
If I get bullied these days, at least it’s probably online so I don’t have to face these sad people face-to-face.
If I get bullied these days, at least it’s probably online so I don’t have to face these sad people face-to-face.
However in high school, someone can bully you one day & the next day you’re going to have to sit next to them in Math class. The fear instilled inside of kids these days is NOT okay.
For heavens sake, my little brother went to stand in the student section during the football game a couple weeks ago and a kid called him a “b****” and told him he couldn’t stand with them in their section.
Really?
Is it really this hard to be nice nowadays?
Is it really this hard to be nice nowadays?
Due to these recent circumstances I just felt like adding my own two cents on the matter.
One thing that could help would be to change your perspective if you’re in high school or junior high.
Don’t assume that-
It’s the cool thing to “sluff” school
It’s cool to only like the pretty girls or popular guys.
It’s cool to bully kids in front of your peers.
It’s cool to back talk to your parents.
WHEN IN REALITY-
It’s the cool thing to get way good grades and get into a good college. That could determine your overall success in life.
It’s cool to like the people that have a great personality and are fun to be around. Be around people that lift you up.
It’s cool to be nice to everyone and not ridicule anyone else.
It’s cool to respect your parents. They went through high school and survived. You probably need their advice.
If you don’t have plans on a Friday night.. hang with your family!
They’re going to be around a LOT longer than your peers. So might as well strengthen your relationship with them.
Be friends with anyone.
Usually the people you least expect will be impact your life more than anyone else.
Find your way out of drama rather than into it.
Often, do the uncool thing.
Don’t be so affected by other people’s opinions.
YOU are enough.
Don’t let anybody tell you differently.
You will come out on top if you are a nice, sincere, genuine person.
If you are a bully, stop it.
It affects people more than you can realize.
–Olivia
On a lighter note-
Here is a collage of my Dad photobombing our dance pictures.
He loves to just jump in at the last second while my mom is taking our pictures and it CRACKS US UP.
