On the days when they actually show up for their shifts, working with teenagers is an absolutely amazing experience. I can truly say that I love every single one of my kids. They are full of energy, and tell me some of the funniest shit I have ever heard. Since we spend so much time together, I see them at their best times and worst times. I've witnessed the "worst times" particularly often with the 17-year-old girls. Often times, the same issues that upset the girls today are those plagued my teenage years. So, after counseling an innumerable amount of teenage breakdowns, I've realized that I have a thing or two to offer to young girls, based on experiences of my own. If I could go back to my high school years knowing what I know now, my life would be infinitely easier. But then again, not as hilarious or entertaining. Without further ado, here are some life lessons from my younger years.
*Other people's opinions of you don't matter, not even a little.
The only person that you can truly please is yourself. Not only that, but, no one else's opinion should have the slightest effect on your life what-so-ever. If I hear one more teenager tell me that someone made fun of them, I am going to drive to their high school and handle these adolescent brats on my own. People talk about you because they have boring lives. Period. These people talk about you in hopes that no one else will notice when they, themselves, fall flat on their stupid faces.
*Stop shopping.
It doesn't matter who made your jeans, where you bought your shirt, or whether or not your diamond earrings are real. In high school, people may give a shit, but thereafter it simply doesn't matter. In your later years, no one gives a crap how much your clothes cost. So stop wasting your time, effort, and parent's money.
*You will not be friends with these people in 10 years.
In high school, leaving your friends to go away to college seems like the worst thing that has ever happened to you. Truth is, it's not. You'll meet new friends in college. And, while you may stay friends with a few of the people you went to high school with.... you eventually grow apart and forget about each other. Next thing you know, you'll see them at the deli and Giant Eagle and think "how the fuck do I get out of not talking to this person?" It's the truth. If you don't believe it, talk to me over Thanksgiving break this year.
*Don't believe ANYTHING you haven't witnessed firsthand.
People LOVE drama, especially when it doesn't involve them and they can just be the messenger. Truth is, if you didn't actually SEE the talked-about event, don't indulge in the idea of drama. Making someone else's life miserable doesn't make your life any better. It just makes you a bitch.
*Geometry doesn't matter, and neither does algebra.
Unless you plan on teaching high school math, you will NEVER need to know this stuff. In fact, this blog post is 120% more valuable to you than learning geometry and algebra. Shout out to Tyler Walsh, who essentially took every single geometry test for me in the eleventh grade. Truth is, I got to college and still failed college algebra and had to retake it my senior year at Pitt. I still took honors college classes, made the deans list and attained an unbelievable about of knowledge. Don't cry over math in high school, you're aren't dumb... math is.
*People who think they're awesome will fall flat on their face in a couple years.
I'd like to preface this segment by saying that BY NO MEANS do I believe that I am better or more successful than anyone else. Hell, I work at the mall. But, I love my job and the people I work with. However, it has been my experience that everyone who thinks they are hot shit in high school and goes to college on a sports scholarship inevitably fails out of their classes, loses their scholarship and works at the drive thru. Your true proof of this will come, this I assure you.
*There is no such thing as "popular" in college, or thereafter.
In high school you are either popular or a loser. In college, everyone is the same. Everyone arrives to college with no friends and quickly tries to create friendships based on what dorm they live in, their major, or sport interests. In college, no one is popular... I promise. Everyone is just... there. You make friends that you are MORE likely to maintain friendships with over the years. In college you don't have to please anyone to be friends with them, it just happens. Life is simplistic. And after college, popularity doesn't exist ever again. So relax, let people hate you for four years in high school. Later, it won't matter.
*Men don't get more understanding with age, and we don't get less sensitive.
Boys/men and girls/women will NEVER think alike. When someone does something that hurts your feelings, TELL THEM. Men will never wake up in the morning and have an epiphany that they did something wrong. You have to tell them. In the same sense, don't be over sensitive. Guys tend to think they are a lot funnier than they actually are. When they say something rude, let them know that you don't think it's funny... they aren't going to figure it out on their own. Don't take their jokes too seriously. Most times they're just poking fun at you; don't cry like a baby. They are actually trying to make you laugh. Don't be crazy.
*Laugh.
Plain and simple. When crazy things happen to you, laugh it off. It could always be worse. Appreciate your life as it comes. There is no such thing as a rewind button.
I pray that everyone was able to take something from this. For those of you that are still in your younger years, call me when you think it's the worst day of your life... and I will talk you out of that feeling. Even if I have never talked to you, call me. Who do we have in this world if we don't have each other? I appreciate all of you. Have an amazing week!
Xoxo
