#advice for young teens

[csuitebitches]

Hey! I’m in 11th grade (17 yo), and I always hear people wishing they could go back and improve certain aspects of themselves when they were younger. Do you have any advice for high schoolers about life/self-improvement and going out to the real world? Thanks! I really enjoy your blog

1. Understand basic finance and tracking your money/ allowance/ income if you have any. Something as simple as downloading an expense tracking app can be a good first step.

2. Understand what sort of a learner you are. Everyone learns things differently. See what works for you.

3. Learn to say no politely to people. You don’t have to participate in anything you don’t want to. But I would encourage you to definitely put yourself out there - whether it’s volunteering, parties, clubs, activities- it’s a great way to meet new people. Don’t be shy to say hello first!

4. Keep learning. No matter what. I have a rule where I watch one education video on YouTube a day, and it can be as short as 3 minutes. Keep your brain active. Solve brain games, crosswords, sudokus, anything to keep yourself active. Choose a hobby- as simple as knitting, collecting something, scrapbooking, calligraphy. It’ll help your personal growth.

5. Develop a fitness routine for yourself. It’s important that you start simple exercises, stretching, a short run; anything to keep your body moving. Make it a habit. Health doesn’t mean size 0 and abs. It means being at your healthy weight. Your future self will thank you.

6. Read. Read about things you don’t know. Just because something is fiction doesn’t make it any less useful than non fiction. Read to your heart’s content.

7. Enjoy your age, at any age! Spend time with your family and friends! Tell the ones close to you that you love them. Time is fleeting and memories are precious.

8. Learn to forgive yourself. You WILL make mistakes. You will embarrass yourself at some point. It’s OKAY. It happens. Side note: don’t post yourself crying or overly emotional on social media, or share things that are too vulnerable. I hate this current trend of people airing their dirty laundry. Some things are private, and meant to be that way. Choose that privacy for yourself.

9. Find an outlet for your mind. Journaling, meditation, breathing exercises.

10. Start doing things alone. Spend some quality time with yourself. Date yourself.

11. Learn to cook at least 5 proper meals before you leave for college/ uni/ move out of your parent’s house.

12. Take pictures of yourself and those you love! I love looking back at old photos with my friends and laughing at our awful fashion choices and the shit quality. Photos are such great keepers of memories.

13. Lastly, understand your alcohol tolerance BEFORE you leave for college. I know this is probably illegal but it’s better for you to understand your drinking limit in the safety of your own house than some random frat house.

[poorly-drawn-mdzs]

This is the start of something new

[First] Prev <–-> Next

[leyllethecreator]

Writing Tip #2: Sometimes you've just gotta be like Nike

The best cure for writers' block I've found is to keep writing even when you have no inspiration. Push through the garbage, and you'll often find that ideas start coming to you, but if you insist you're uninspired, you will be. This is part of the reason why it's so great to write to prompts. Game-fying the struggle gets you out of your head a bit.

Go for a walk and tell yourself you have to pick one random thing to write about. Open the dictionary, select a word off the page you opened to and try to do something with that. As Isaac Asimov said, sometimes doing something mindless like watching a movie helps.

Basically the more stimuli you surround yourself with, the more likely you are to find inspiration. You can generate that stimuli yourself just by yeeting words onto a page - you 100% can inspire yourself.

And remember that nobody ever said you have to keep the draft. If it's garbage, it's not like you suddenly destroyed your story idea for good - it's been poisoned by one bad draft and is dying of failure-itis.

I'm creating new prompts every week you can check out every Saturday if you're looking for inspo. I also highly suggest watching a show you like or a new show, listening to music or "the dictionary method" if you're ever feeling stumped.

[quotelr]

Although many things may still need to happen before you identify what your exact work will be, I know that every single person whom you’re meeting and every experience that you’re having is necessary to you discovering your purpose. They are points on a map leading you to the moment where a match will finally be lit and you will be able to see through the darkness.

Jennifer Elisabeth, Born Ready: Unleash Your Inner Dream Girl

[themandylion]

There's unfortunately a tendency in a number of parents to not really see younger children as people. They ignore the personalities of little kids as being just that (personalities), instead writing them off as "cute child behavior." Then, when those kids turn into "people" (teenagers), parents act shocked/betrayed/disappointed because what. Since when do their offspring have personalities of their own? Since when are they individuals that exist separate from their parents?

When parents insist that their kids completely changed with puberty, it's rarely (if ever) a case of the teen actually changing. It's usually a case of the kid finally getting old enough/big enough/loud enough that they can't be ignored and written off as a cute accessory. If your parent thinks your personality did a complete about-face when you hit your teen years, chances are there's nothing inherently different about you—your parent just hasn't had the respect for you that they should have had from the start.

Your personality hasn't changed. Your parent just can't ignore that you have one anymore.

[sweetfreedom2107]

Your face is etched in my memory; how do I undo this?

[alurite-l]

Someone give me reasons as to not have a child

[infernalfields]

hot take: if you are a grown ass adult making fun of folks new to a subculture you need to find a hobby

[theknightlywolfe]

It's a concept that seems to have been lost: men who go out into the world and talk to women about something that isn't themselves or women, get women.

A buddy of mine went out into the world and met women but never got anywhere with them because the only thing he ever talked about was himself. He lost his temper once and ranted for three days because at a con we all watched a early 20s scrawny, pimply, barely 5', stereotypical nerdy looking dude with the worst cosplay sense ever seen get a cute girl he met at con to bed him night one and then she owned putting out for this dude and hung out with him for the rest of the con. All us women kept saying "he must have a great sense of humor/personality" half jokingly, but half seriously. Dude must have had a winner right out of the gate to catch and keep attention. He was the complete opposite of what Incels think a women wants on a physical level but he was successful where my not stereotypically physically appealing but not off-putting buddy who couldn't even get a date kept failing. Luckily for my buddy he had a hobby that has a lot of women of all ages in it and he eventually developed enough skills in it to talk about the hobby. And then older, mother figure women, were able to teach him to not talk about himself and talk about the hobby. Once he started talking about interesting things he got women to go on dates with him and now he is married.

So yeah, go touch grass, join an activity outside of your house, attend it regularly, and when you are interested in a woman you meet at the hobby, talk about the hobby. Don't talk about you, or her, or women (or a specific woman not her), talk about the hobby. It is a guaranteed in to keep her interest long enough to have a proper conversation.

Stop worrying about what you are (a man, because so is half the population) and start developing who you are. Because who is always more interesting than what.

[floral-hex]

going through old letters and cards today to see what I can throw away, mail I received when I lived in New York and never remembered to go through again until now, and I kept finding a) old school photos of my brothers, & b) letters my youngest brother wrote to me while I lived away from home, and… oof. I’m glad no one was around because I criiiiiiieeeeed so hard. Had to step away for awhile.

[leyllethecreator]

Do you ever write to music?

Occasionally, I'll play an emotional song when writing a really emotional chapter of my novel "Damsel in the Red Dress." I find getting into this almost "cinematic" mindset can help me channel more emotion into the scene. While it's certainly not the only way you can 'make yourself emotional' to bring more life to the scene, I think it's a pretty effective one.

If you've never tried writing to music (specifically catered to the mood of the scene) I encourage you to try it sometime. You might find it helps you get through a sticking point when the emotions are falling flat.

[aseriesofunfortunatejan]

I gave myself a needless anxiety spike by looking up one of my old usernames (curiosity killed the cat and all) because like . of course when I was A Kid I said some things that are embarrassing now, literally misspoke, or spoke in ways that are now unrelatable. But the one funny aspect is seeing a conversation that's like [deleted post] [person A arguing with me] [deleted post] [person A] [completely different person B defending me] [person A] [person B] [person A] [person B]

Like honestly looking back I would have rather spent more time Outside than on the compooter all those years ago but even now, all those years later, I think it's very sweet when someone helps you during a conversation. I don't remember this at all but I just know my young self was super comforted to know she wasn't saying something insane. Again though I hate social media and wish I hadn't been on it when I was young,

[sweetfreedom2107]

I love the way you throw your head back everytime you laugh.

I thought I could stare at you all the time and never get bored, but I am bored. I need more.

I need your arms around my neck.

I need our lips to touch.

I want to wake up to your messy hair and the scars on your skin.

I want to openly love you.

I want to send you funny stuff and tell you everything about my life.

I want that to happen between us.

I want it.

[haveihitanerve]

Dad How Do I but with Bruce Wayne.

Bruce who teaches life advice- showing kids how to tie a tie, how to tie their shoes, braid their hair, teaching young adults to do taxes, to surf, the best lawyers to hire when in trouble, how to avoid scams, he educates the less fortunate on the best places to get free food, where to go in Wayne Enterprises for a hot shower and some toiletries, how to eat at formal functions so the higher elite have one less thing to criticize them on. He teaches people how to do card tricks and make your niece laugh by pulling out a quarter from behind her ear, teaches moms how to rock their baby to sleep properly, teaches teens to do front flips and cartwheels and calculus, educates them on how to write job applications and two weeks notice letters. He teaches people to sew, to cook(alfred helps) to assemble an IKEA shelf, how to work a lawn mower, and all sorts of different things. And when his son dies… Bruce uses his account to share his grief, his story, shares everything about Jason, what a delight he was, how awesome he was, how much he loved to read and school… and then one day, he gets Batman to join a video. And the hero is stiff and everyone can see the exhaustion, the anger and sadness in his joints, his movements, radiating off him. But he sits down heavily into the chair Bruce Wayne had previously vacated… and begins to speak. He tells the story of Robin, his young child sidekick, who just like Jason Wayne, was murdered by the Joker. He tells everyone how his little boy tried to save Jason Todd, and how they both perished in the aftermath. He tells people about his grief, his anger, and why Batman is suddenly harsher and hurts more. “Because I hurt more.” he confesses quietly, and the people finally get to meet the man behind the mask (figuratively) and truly get to see who their hero really is. The account’s popularity skyrockets, and soon Batman is a lot more common to be seen, teaching people how to defend themselves and handle the Batarangs he knows they collect after he fights. Nightwing shows up too sometimes, teaching more elegant flips and tricks and they demonstrate their workout together, and a few months later, Batman shyly introduces his new Robin, same messy black hair as the one before, but slightly smaller, and theres something… more behind those lenses in his mask. But the kid is soon a fan favorite, making sarcastic comments and countering Nightwings witty remarks, and the people get to see a new side of Batman, get to watch as he rolls his eyes at them, as he uses them to teach people how to disguise themselves, ways to use clothes to stem blood, tie tourniquets. 

Then Red Hood returns. And a kid in Crime Alley catches him cursing at his jacket because a button fell off and he cant get it back on. “Um! Mr. Red Hood sir?” the kid pipes anxiously. Red Hood turns to him, angry, but the kid doesn't back down and just goes “You should watch ‘Mr. Wayne How Do I: Sewing’ it'll help.” and then he scampers off. And Jason is pissed and even more angry because of course while he was dead Bruce decides to become a father to everyone in Gotham. But he watches the video. And it helps. And… well, its one of the older videos. And Jason finds another old video. The one about… the one about his death. It shouldn't make his anger lessen, shouldn't make him cry, shouldn't bring him to Bruce’s doorstep where he reveals himself and they hug and cry and catch up and cry some more… but it does. 

Gothamites are a little surprised when their local Crime Lord appears on the channel, standing right next to Batman. Surprised, but pleased. Because Batman looks happy in a way he hasn't in a long time and well… Red Hood watched out for them too. And now their two protectors are working together.

[karlmarxmaybe]

Alright. This one's for the kids.

You've probably heard childhood is practice for adult life. This is true but not in the sense you think. And it's only practice if you use it that way.

You need to practice lying. Cheating at exams and never admitting to it, even if you get caught. Not answering to teachers when they question you. Faking being ill to not go to school. Letting grown-ups think you're innofensive.

Practice your acting skills by lying to the face of the people who know you best (your parents/tutors).

If you are relatively safe from the authorities (that is, if you're white) commit acts of minor delinquency. Steal from supermarkets while being out of sight of the cameras. Graffiti "down with grades" on the school wall. Get money from your parents/tutors' drawers. You need to hone your criminal skills.

Never answer a question from a cop, say "I don't know" and walk away. If someone is cheating, don't tell the teachers. If someone is bullying others, though, do tell them, because bullying is hurtful and needs to be stopped.

The reason you need all this practice of lying, deceiving, not looking suspicious and learning how not to get caught is that, when you grow up and are an activist fighting for social justice, you will need to know how to lie, how to resist police interrogation (short answer: shutting the fuck up), how to cover up your tracks and how to not get caught. And if you get caught as an adult, you'll go to jail.

We live in an unfair society and we will need your help to change that. That's why you need to practice lying now that you won't go to jail if you get caught. Consequences in childhood are less big than in adulthood. Use that to your advantage.

Lies are a child's most useful tool. They'll try to take them away from you. To stop you from telling them. But you wouldn't have to tell them if we lived in a fair society.

To get out of trouble, lie. Tell the truth only to those you trust. And don't let adults convince you they want the best for you.

The adult world is scary. You'll need to be brave. You'll need to be kind. And you'll need to be a good liar.

[monstersqueen]

.