Growing Up Without Losing Yourself

Let's be honest. 

The days of our adolescence sometimes feel like we are trapped in the center of a storm. Everything is changing-one's body, brain, friendships, and futures. And so much pressure is on one's ability to say who they would want to be-what they want to do-where they see themselves in five years.

Five years? Most days you’re just trying to survive the week.

Everybody has an opinion on how your life should be.

Your grades.

Your personality.

Your goals.

Your style.

And yet, you have to smile while keeping it all together.

But let’s pause.

Who are you doing all this for?

The Pressure Is Loud

Let’s talk about that pressure. The kind that sneaks in quietly but feels heavy all the same.

The pressure to look a certain way.

The pressure to be productive every second.

The pressure to be cool but not fake.

Smart but not arrogant.

Confident but not “too much.”

You see people your age blowing up online, getting into top schools, chasing their dreams. And it's hard not to wonder if maybe you're a little behind-the all-important memo missed by you. 

But here's the truth: There's no one way to 'grow up right.' And definitely no perfect timeline. 

You're allowed to not have a clue

You don't have to have everything figured out.

You don't need to know who you are right now.

You don't have to measure your success against someone else's.

You are allowed to try and not succeed. 

You are allowed to change your mind. 

You are allowed to pause when your