To the Teen Who Feels Like They’re Falling Behind
I’m writing this because I know that "stuck" feeling. It’s that strange, quiet frustration where your life feels like it’s on repeat, and everyone else seems to be moving forward while you’re just... hovering. It’s not necessarily a crisis; it’s more like a fog that makes everything feel pointless. If you feel like you’re stagnant right now, I want to offer you a different perspective for 2025: Plateaus are Part of Progress: In nature, nothing blooms all year long. There are long stretches of time where a tree looks like it’s doing nothing, but underground, the roots are deepening so they can support the next big growth spurt. You aren't "behind"; you are in a root-building season. The "Social Media Illusion": You are likely comparing your "behind-the-scenes" footage to everyone else’s "highlight reel." In 2025, the pressure to always be "leveling up" is at an all-time high. But constant growth isn't sustainable, i...