The Ultimate Pep Talk

What advice would you give to your teenage self?

Oh, teenage years. Those awkward, dramatic, slightly cringe-worthy years of “finding yourself” where everything feels like the end of the world—even a bad haircut. If I could sit down with my teenage self, I’d have a lot to say. And no, it’s not all “work hard and eat your vegetables” (though please, eat some greens). It’s more like, “Hey, don’t freak out, here’s a cheat sheet for life.” So, let’s break it down.

Embrace Your Weirdness (Seriously)

Teenage-you spends way too much time trying to be “cool,” Here’s the thing: “cool” is boring. Embrace your quirks and the stuff that makes you unique. Whether it’s an obsession with writing fanfiction or a passion for something painfully nerdy, lean into it. The truth is, the things you’re teased about now? Those are the exact things that make you awesome later.

Stop Worrying If Everyone Likes You

Spoiler alert: Not everyone will like you, and that’s perfectly fine. You don’t like everyone, right? So why waste time trying to win over people who don’t “get” you? Focus on building genuine friendships with people who do appreciate you—and ditch anyone toxic who doesn’t.

Prioritise Learning, Not Perfection

Newsflash: Failure isn’t the enemy. Obsessing over getting perfect grades or winning every single competition? Stressful, unnecessary, and exhausting. Focus on what you’re learning—not just in school, but in life. Messing up is how you grow. If failure feels scary, consider this: you’ll laugh about most of it in a few years (and some of it even sooner).

Photo by Vitaly Gariev

Chill About Relationships (Really)

Ah, young love. All-consuming and dramatic. Here’s the truth: you don’t need to find “The One” right now. Spoiler: Most high school relationships are training wheels for the real thing. Invest in knowing yourself instead. What do you love, value, and want in life? You’ll be way better prepared for love later if you spend your teen years working on YOU.

Use Sunscreen (And Put Down That Tanning Oil)

Listen, I know you think a glowing tan is “the vibe,” but trust me, future-you will thank you for cutting it out. Sunburns today equal wrinkles (or worse) tomorrow. You’re going to slay with or without the sun-kissed look—embrace that SPF life, kiddo.

Invest in Friendships That Feel Like Sunshine

Let’s be real: not all friendships are built to last. Some are as sturdy as a dollar-store umbrella in a hurricane. Teen me wasted too much time chasing people who didn’t deserve my energy.

Here’s what I’d say: find the people who make your belly laugh. The ones who don’t bail when life gets bumpy. Hold onto them with both hands. And the ones who gossip, drain you, or only text when they need a favor? Respectfully, leave ‘em on “read.”

Trust Your Gut

You know when something feels a little… “off”? Trust that feeling. Your intuition is sharper than you think. Whether it’s a sketchy friend, a questionable decision, or just a gut check on a risk, listen to yourself. That little voice? She’s usually right.

Money Tips: Start Saving, Even a Little

Future-you wants to high-five you if you manage this one. Start a little savings habit—seriously, even ten bucks a week. You’ll be amazed where it takes you. Oh, and maybe skip a few of those impulse online shopping sprees. You probably don’t need that bubble-shaped phone case from TikTok trends anyway.

Mental Health Matters

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or anxious, speak up. You don’t have to carry it all on your own. Whether it’s talking to a trusted adult, a friend, or even a therapist, addressing it now is a huge act of self-love. Plus, you’ll feel so much lighter once you do.

Everyone Feels Awkward; They’re Just Hiding It

Remember that moment when you felt painfully awkward during lunch? Or during gym class? Or literally anywhere? Guess what? Every single person has those moments. They’re just better at hiding it. The trick is realising we’re all stumbling through life in some way. So, go easy on yourself.

The Little Things Are Big Things

It’s not about grand gestures or big milestones; it’s the tiny moments that stick with you. Laughing until your cheeks hurt, late-night talks with your best friend, even the feeling of finishing that last page of a book you’re obsessed with—those are the things to savor. No one is going to look back and say, “Man, I wish I stressed about that teen drama more.”

Confidence Isn’t Loud; It’s Quiet

You might think confidence means being the loudest person in the room. Not even close, my friend. Being confident means being comfortable in your own skin. It’s about knowing who you are (a work in progress, by the way) and being okay with that.

Don’t Be Afraid of Change

Change is scary for sure, but it’s also where the magic happens. If you’re clinging to what’s familiar, you might miss out. Whether it’s moving to a new city, picking a different career, or stepping away from a bad friendship, embrace it. Change is a spark—it sets the future in motion.

What’s the Worst That Could Happen?

When you’re afraid to try something, just ask yourself: “What’s the actual worst that could happen?” Usually, it’s not nearly as bad as you think. (Spoiler: Most embarrassing moments won’t even be remembered in a year.)

Cherish Time With Family

I used to roll my eyes when my parents wanted to hang out. Friday movie night? Hard pass. Now, I wish I’d soaked up those moments more. The truth is, family time flies by faster than you think.

So teenage me, stop being “too cool” and go play Scrabble with Mom. Ask Dad about how he survived his teen years. Those memories will mean everything someday.

You’re Stronger Than You Think

Teen me often doubted myself. I didn’t think I had what it took to handle tough situations. But you know what? I did. And I still do.

Here’s the deal: you’re tougher, smarter, and more capable than you realise. Whatever life throws at you, you can handle it. (And if you can’t, there’s always chocolate. Or a good nap.)

Final Thoughts: Your Teenage Self Is Doing Okay

If I could give you a hug and hand this advice over in a glittery Lisa Frank notebook, I would. But here’s the truth. You’re doing better than you think, kid. Sure, you’ll look back and cringe a little (that’s called growth), but you’re figuring it out. So don’t be so hard on yourself, alright?

Hey, teenage me: life is weird, wild, and sometimes downright unfair. But it’s also beautiful. You’re gonna make mistakes, embarrass yourself, and cry over dumb stuff. And that’s okay.

Lean into the mess. Laugh when you can. Apologise when you need to. And for the love of all things holy, stop obsessing over the perfect photo. You’re already pretty awesome just the way you are.

And hey, teenage me—don’t forget to take a deep breath. You’ve got this.