Hey, teenage me. If only you knew what I know now. You spent way too much time stressing about what other people thought—whether they liked you, whether you were cool, whether you were saying the “right” thing. Here’s the thing: most people were too busy worrying about themselves to care. And the ones who did? They don’t really matter in the long run.
If I could sit down with you right now, here’s what I’d say:
Stop Worrying About What Others Think
Mate, seriously—just do your thing. You held yourself back so much because you were scared of looking stupid. Newsflash: no one cares as they all have their own worries to deal with. They are too busy with their own lives to be worrying about you and what you are doing.
Try Stuff! (Even If It Feels Cringe at First)
You skipped out on so many things because you thought you’d look silly. Join that club, learn that skill, go to that event. Worst case? You don’t like it and move on. Best case? You find something you love.
Be Nicer to Yourself
You’re gonna mess up. You’re gonna say dumb things. It’s all part of the ride. Don’t be so hard on yourself—it’s not that deep. Talk to yourself, give your self prep talks in the way you’d talk to a mate who’s having a rough time (obviously when you’re alone though).
Not Everyone is Meant to Stay in Your Life
People come and go, and that’s just how it is. Some friends are for a season, and that’s okay. If a friendship starts feeling like a chore, it’s alright to let it go. You’re not supposed to keep everyone forever.
Your Weirdness is Your Superpower
Stop trying to blend in. The stuff you think is weird about you? That’s what makes you awesome. One day, you’ll realise that the best people in your life love those things about you.
It Gets Better
Right now, it might feel like the pressure, the doubt, and the awkwardness will last forever—but it won’t. Life has a funny way of sorting itself out, even when you think it’s a total mess. Just hang in there. You’ve got this.
Honestly, if I could go back and tell you all of this, would you listen? Maybe, maybe not. But if even a tiny bit stuck, I’d hope you’d walk a little taller, stress a little less, and just enjoy being you.
And hey, if you’re reading this now and it resonates—take it on board. It’s never too late to stop caring so much about what others think and just start living.
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