9 Things I Think Every Teenager Should Know...
Hey friends,
This has been a blog that's been in the back of my mind for a long time. The list quickly grew, too! Working with teenagers, and having been one myself, I thought that someone should address some of the things teens these days should know, thus: the 9 things I think every single teenager should know. This will be a long one, but here goes nothing:
1. You have value...
You and everything about you as a person is unique. You, whether you believe it or not, have something to offer the world. You're worth so much more than your body, your looks, your sense of humor (Or whatever else other people value). Don't let anyone make you think anything less! Learn to love yourself and the person you were created to be, dream big. Aim high. All of those other cliches! You are wanted, valued, and loved.
2. You don't need to "post" every single thought you think...
Have you ever posted something and immediately felt regret and deleted it? Me too. What I have learned is, sometimes the thoughts we think, even though we think they're witty or whatever else, other people may not appreciate it. Think about if it will hurt someone else and how you would feel if someone was posting the same thing about you. Think things through completely, ask yourself "how could other people interpret or perceive this?" This is not to say that you should always be worried about offending people, but at least acknowledge that it could. More often than not I see my high school and middle school friends posting things that I know they would never say in real life - my advice: just be careful, my friends. These post could, and will, come back to haunt you.
3. It's okay to do things alone...
This is something that I'm continuing to learn today. It took me a couple solo trips, but I love doing things alone. It's awesome! I think there's a lot of power in doing things alone, it shows a lot of maturity. It may seem like not that big of a deal to some, or maybe it seems incredibly intimidating? Doing things alone shows that you can be an individual, you don't need to be part of the "crowd", you don't need approval. It creates confidence when you can walk in somewhere by yourself - it really is empowering. This is something I wish I would've learned a lot sooner, I would've spent a lot less nights in my room alone and more time out doing things I wish I could have done, just by myself. Give doing things alone a try, it will be worth it.
4. There is no such thing as a secret in middle school or high school...
This is the most valuable lesson my mom every taught me. Although I learned it the hard way. I know you love your best friend, I know you trust them, but things you actually need to keep private, do not confide in a peer. Seriously. They may have the best of intentions and it most likely won't be on purpose that your "secret" comes out, but it will. That's not to say, "don't trust anyone" - but it's something I think you all need to be aware of. Guard your heart in matters like secrets, don't let your story sound like mine.
5. Don't wish your teens away...
I, like many of you, was in high school dying to be an adult. Now, I don't think your teenage years are the best of your life, hear me when I say that. But right now, use this time to practice contentment. Find the positives of being a teenager - this time is unlike any else you'll have in your life. If you find yourself wishing this all away, you'll continue to do so throughout life. You will always be looking for that greener grass, when you're in some really green grass right now! Be where you're at in life. This season you're in, make the most of it! So then, when it's time to move on to the next one you can look back fondly while moving forward. Contentment is an amazing thing to practice - so start right now.
6. Your parents actually know best most times...
I know, your parents did not grow up in this generation. There is so much they don't know about being a middle school or high school student, but what you'll find as you get older is that your parents do know a lot. Right now, I would have to say that my mom is really my best friend. I go to her for everything in life. She is the smartest person I know, in every sense of the word. I wish I would've come to this conclusion sooner though, which is why I'm passing this wisdom on to you.
7. Stop saying "no regrets" as justification...
This is one of my the things that I really want to communicate well. "No regrets" is not a motto to live by, having this belief doesn't give you permission to do stupid things, because at the end of the day: we all have regrets. But here's the important part: we don't need to live in regret, but we need to acknowledge it. We all make mistakes and they do shape who we are. But, that doesn't mean we go around making bad decisions and saying "no regrets". Rise above, strive to live a life where your decisions don't, in fact, include potential regret - knowing that occasionally mistakes are inevitable.
8. A mentor is vital...
Although I just got done preaching that your parents know best, I also know the importance of having someone older speaking wisdom into your life. A voice guiding you that isn't your parents is also invaluable. I know there were times that my parents told me things that I just could not hear, but when my Young Life leader told me essentially the same exact thing, it was like new information. Even now in the beginning of my twenties I have mentors. (Yes, plural!) I am always seeking to learn and grow, so sometimes I go to different people for different aspects of life. I just know I wouldn't be where I am now without a mentor.
9. Say "thank you"...
I think this is something that is slowly becoming lost in the world. The importance of a simple "thank you" when someone gives you a gift, compliments you, or does something for you. There's so much value in a sweet little thank you card. It'll mean the world to someone, and there's some good that will come to you when you show gratitude. It will really warm your heart, I promise. Don't forget to say "thank you", it really does go a long way.
So that's what I think, but maybe I missed something you think should be added here as well? Post it in the comments for my teenage friends to read!
xoxo
B
This has been a blog that's been in the back of my mind for a long time. The list quickly grew, too! Working with teenagers, and having been one myself, I thought that someone should address some of the things teens these days should know, thus: the 9 things I think every single teenager should know. This will be a long one, but here goes nothing:
1. You have value...
You and everything about you as a person is unique. You, whether you believe it or not, have something to offer the world. You're worth so much more than your body, your looks, your sense of humor (Or whatever else other people value). Don't let anyone make you think anything less! Learn to love yourself and the person you were created to be, dream big. Aim high. All of those other cliches! You are wanted, valued, and loved.
2. You don't need to "post" every single thought you think...
Have you ever posted something and immediately felt regret and deleted it? Me too. What I have learned is, sometimes the thoughts we think, even though we think they're witty or whatever else, other people may not appreciate it. Think about if it will hurt someone else and how you would feel if someone was posting the same thing about you. Think things through completely, ask yourself "how could other people interpret or perceive this?" This is not to say that you should always be worried about offending people, but at least acknowledge that it could. More often than not I see my high school and middle school friends posting things that I know they would never say in real life - my advice: just be careful, my friends. These post could, and will, come back to haunt you.
3. It's okay to do things alone...
This is something that I'm continuing to learn today. It took me a couple solo trips, but I love doing things alone. It's awesome! I think there's a lot of power in doing things alone, it shows a lot of maturity. It may seem like not that big of a deal to some, or maybe it seems incredibly intimidating? Doing things alone shows that you can be an individual, you don't need to be part of the "crowd", you don't need approval. It creates confidence when you can walk in somewhere by yourself - it really is empowering. This is something I wish I would've learned a lot sooner, I would've spent a lot less nights in my room alone and more time out doing things I wish I could have done, just by myself. Give doing things alone a try, it will be worth it.
4. There is no such thing as a secret in middle school or high school...
This is the most valuable lesson my mom every taught me. Although I learned it the hard way. I know you love your best friend, I know you trust them, but things you actually need to keep private, do not confide in a peer. Seriously. They may have the best of intentions and it most likely won't be on purpose that your "secret" comes out, but it will. That's not to say, "don't trust anyone" - but it's something I think you all need to be aware of. Guard your heart in matters like secrets, don't let your story sound like mine.
5. Don't wish your teens away...
I, like many of you, was in high school dying to be an adult. Now, I don't think your teenage years are the best of your life, hear me when I say that. But right now, use this time to practice contentment. Find the positives of being a teenager - this time is unlike any else you'll have in your life. If you find yourself wishing this all away, you'll continue to do so throughout life. You will always be looking for that greener grass, when you're in some really green grass right now! Be where you're at in life. This season you're in, make the most of it! So then, when it's time to move on to the next one you can look back fondly while moving forward. Contentment is an amazing thing to practice - so start right now.
6. Your parents actually know best most times...
I know, your parents did not grow up in this generation. There is so much they don't know about being a middle school or high school student, but what you'll find as you get older is that your parents do know a lot. Right now, I would have to say that my mom is really my best friend. I go to her for everything in life. She is the smartest person I know, in every sense of the word. I wish I would've come to this conclusion sooner though, which is why I'm passing this wisdom on to you.
7. Stop saying "no regrets" as justification...
This is one of my the things that I really want to communicate well. "No regrets" is not a motto to live by, having this belief doesn't give you permission to do stupid things, because at the end of the day: we all have regrets. But here's the important part: we don't need to live in regret, but we need to acknowledge it. We all make mistakes and they do shape who we are. But, that doesn't mean we go around making bad decisions and saying "no regrets". Rise above, strive to live a life where your decisions don't, in fact, include potential regret - knowing that occasionally mistakes are inevitable.
8. A mentor is vital...
Although I just got done preaching that your parents know best, I also know the importance of having someone older speaking wisdom into your life. A voice guiding you that isn't your parents is also invaluable. I know there were times that my parents told me things that I just could not hear, but when my Young Life leader told me essentially the same exact thing, it was like new information. Even now in the beginning of my twenties I have mentors. (Yes, plural!) I am always seeking to learn and grow, so sometimes I go to different people for different aspects of life. I just know I wouldn't be where I am now without a mentor.
9. Say "thank you"...
I think this is something that is slowly becoming lost in the world. The importance of a simple "thank you" when someone gives you a gift, compliments you, or does something for you. There's so much value in a sweet little thank you card. It'll mean the world to someone, and there's some good that will come to you when you show gratitude. It will really warm your heart, I promise. Don't forget to say "thank you", it really does go a long way.
So that's what I think, but maybe I missed something you think should be added here as well? Post it in the comments for my teenage friends to read!
xoxo
B
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