Truth be told, I don't really know exactly what I'm explaining how to do. I tried to think of some clever thing to post like, "How to be Superman!" or "How to successfully procrastinate!" (See, I can't even think of clever fake ideas), but that really wasn't going to work out. So, I'm going to try to explain to you how to... well... how to... We'll see if I can figure out what exactly I'm explaining by the end of this post.
So, step one: There is no step one. There is no order, or process for doing or being... what it is I'm trying to explain. You don't have to do things in a perfect order or in a perfect way. Sure, there are plenty of people who try to be perfect, or attain perfection (in fact, several of my fellow classmates come to mind!), but really, you gotta loosen up a bit (myself included). Take some time to stop worrying about what's coming next. We're all still just kids. We need some time off from college planners, and sports, and after school clubs, and church, and every other thing that takes up our time currently. Stop thinking about being perfect for a few minutes every day, and just take some time for yourself. We all need it, trust me.
For example, last night I took some time to read a few chapters in my book amidst all of the homework that was (and still is) piling up around me. If you don't like reading, you could try doing something outside like walking. Whatever it is you do, make sure it's solitary, and don't think about all of the things you need to do to be perfect. Just relax.
Next, or at some point, whenever, find something that you can enjoy. Discover something new that you can appreciate, and really try to savor it! I realize that most of us already have something or some activity that we enjoy, but try to put some emphasis on it, really focus on it. I feel like most of us are so worried about college, or the ACTs or SATs, or community service, or whatever else is out there, that we don't get to enjoy what we really want to. Pick something that you can be passionate about, and just do it. Don't worry about what your parents want or what your college planner says you have to do, because guess what: in about a year and a half, you won't have either of them. We're all going to college, and we're all going to need to have something to want to do when we get there! I know so many of you who don't focus your energy on anything but college, and I honestly worry for you! I truly enjoy theatre, and reading, and foreign languages, so I'm honestly not worried about being able to do what I love in college! But I know there are many who are pretty clueless about participating in something enjoyable. Anyway, just find what you enjoy, and enjoy it! Sounds pretty simple, right?
Okay, I've written a lot, so I'll try to see if I can figure out what I was trying to explain. At first I thought I would explain how to be a nerd. But that seemed too predictable, so I went in a slightly different direction. Okay, so when I started writing "step one," I thought that maybe I was explaining how to be average. Just plain old average. Not perfect, not awful. But I still think that might be the wrong word. The word I'm looking for is probably closer to free.
In fact, I think that's it.
Free.
Letting yourself go, enjoying your life.
We all have "tragic" teenage lives or whatever. That's what we really need to know how to be, free. And I hope that's what I've at least partially explained how to do.
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