During high school, do you remember skipping classes to watch a movie? Or how would you go about requesting your friends to keep your love letter secret? Can you remember your age at that time? Was it around 15-16, 18, maybe? Yes, that’s what teenage years are all about! All of us are on a quest to discover the world around us. That is the age when one can truly learn invaluable lessons that will help them throughout their lives.
In light of this, here are some life lessons every teenager should know. These were some of the best pieces of advice I ever received as a teenager. If you’re looking for some inspiration in high school and later in life, grab a chunk of it. You are guaranteed to gain a new perspective.
So let’s dive right in!
Having all the answers isn’t necessary.
It might seem as though everyone around you is doing well. Or maybe most of those around you are good at hiding and pretending. Sometimes people wear their confidence even though on the inside they’re trembling! Don’t judge yourself by other people. Remember that you don’t share a similar timetable as others. Likewise, you don’t need to live your life the same way they do.
Credits@Google
Character counts for everything.
Be as honest as you can. Live up to your promises. We do indeed live in a world that places a great deal of importance on money, fame, and popularity, but none of those things can measure a person’s character. A deep sense of self will get you farther than anything else. Be kind to others. Do the right thing with courage. Be grace-filled and live uprightly.
There is nothing weird about you.
Almost everyone is quirky and eccentric. Your thoughts or experience at a specific moment in time do not define you. We’ve all been there. Everyone is unique in some way.
To choose between being liked and respected, choose respected.
They are not the same. Some people like others but don’t like themselves. The first step toward loving yourself is respecting yourself. To respect yourself, you should not compromise your beliefs and values for the sake of being liked.
In time, you will outgrow people.
Eventually, they will outgrow you. We need to remember that some people are meant for a lifetime, whereas others are not. People you cherish can betray you. Do not let bitterness sink into your soul. Forgive them and let the past be behind you. Get over it and move on.
Credits@Google
Own up to yourself.
Do you compromise yourself at your peril? Are you spending more than you earn? Playing the victim robs you of any sense of victory. Focus on the negatives in yourself and your actions. Change is impossible for others, but it is possible to change yourself if you accept responsibility for your actions.
Sorry is the best policy.
Whenever you upset someone (which you will), apologize. Don’t let the apology go on too long.
Take note of other people’s mistakes.
Learn from the mistakes of others instead of your own. It can include humiliation, failures, as well as long-term consequences. Still, even when mistakes happen, you can learn from them.
Credits@Google
Have confidence in yourself.
Do not feel embarrassed if you make a mistake or don’t know something. It doesn’t define who you are. Believing in your abilities is what makes you confident. Your uniqueness is what makes you priceless.
Don’t just be educated, be smart too.
Educated people are not necessarily smart. Even though my mother barely graduated from high school, she is always the brightest person I know. You’ll meet many educated, but not very smart people. Do not put more value on someone’s degree than their ability to hunt and skin a deer. Being smart isn’t one-dimensional.
Develop a good work ethic.
Talent or good looks alone won’t get you far. Working hard at work worth doing is far and away from the best thing in life. It is one of the greatest treasures you’ll ever find.
Credits@Google
Let’s laugh and love each other.
Happiness and love are indeed the best medicines. A smile does lighten a burden. Make yourself laugh. Laugh with others, but don’t laugh in their face. LOL. The world is quite funny, and we shouldn’t be stern all the time. Get surrounded by people who make you laugh, find someone you enjoy laughing with (it makes a big difference), laugh at your feeble attempts, and when you fail, love yourself for trying again. You’ll find that your load will be lighter if you laugh, love, and repeat.
Hopefully, these life lessons that every teenager should know have provided you with fresh new insights. On a side note, I applaud you for caring about yourself and your growth enough to read this! Go ahead and pat yourself on the back!
