Things I wish I knew as a teenager
Hey frens, I made this blog when I was around 15.
That was about 10 years ago now. I have a very different, and dare I say more humbled attitude than I used to have about the beliefs I hold. So here's some stuff that I think might be worth saying in case someone needs to hear them.
You can't control people. It is also very rare anyone is doing anything to spite you specifically and if they are, you're being bullied or controlled by them and it's a situation you should get out of if you are able to. I used to think people wouldn't invite me to parties cause of some grudge against me, it was actually cause I didn't drink and they didn't think I'd like an environment where that was all everyone did. Took one conversation.
You can be 100% sure in your belief of something and then be given information that makes you question it. I have been saying very certainly that I am pro decriminalisation but against legalisation and someone pointed out to me that legalisation didn't necessarily mean what I thought it meant. It just means people wouldn't have to be in danger to get the things they're getting anyway. I was able to say "I hadn't actually thought of that perspective, I may need to think on that for a bit" and it was fine. I didn't lose credibility. I still felt I came across like I knew what I was talking about. It's so useful to know this. Smart people accept when they might be wrong.
Let people believe in stuff. The world is boring to some people without it. Let them believe in star signs or religion (as long as they aint a hater - we love the gays) or the universe.
Sometimes you'll have a cold and get the sniffles. Sometimes you'll have a cold and get a blocked nose or just a cough even. Those are both colds. When I got covid it felt like my legs were broken but when my friend had it, he didn't have that, he had breathing problems. We both had covid in the same month. So why is it, teenage me, you think your depression will only be real if the symptom is you ending up in hospital? Depression can completely drain you and make you unable to get out of bed, yes, but depression can also feel like an all consuming energy that it doesn't matter what you do, you have all this energy trying to destroy you from the inside. Your depression doesn't need to end in suicide for it to be real, in fact I hope it doesn't.
Fitting in is great, standing out is great. You shouldn't be focussing on either, you should be who you are regardless of how it relates to anyone else. I know you're a swiftie. I know you like starkid. I know you are you.
Anyway, if you're a teenager or hell anyone who reads this and relates and even goes "huh never thought of it like that" then this post has served its purpose. I swear being able to say "can I think on that for a bit" or "actually if it's alright, could I have some space for now?" and my favourite "I'm honestly not sure but my guess would be ___" has made me feel so powerful and so free in conversations. In this world, we're sort of pressured to fight for our opinion instead of learn from someone else's view. It's divisive and depressing and isolating and cultivates an idea where you're not supposed to grow. That's stupid.
It's gonna be okay, I am shocked at how okay it's worked out for me after starting this blog.