Playing it safe, especially for teenagers, has become a trend in recent years. People are scared of stepping out of their comfort zones and oftentimes fear unfamiliar situations.
Being emotionally vulnerable can be tough, but it can also be extremely rewarding. When I was younger, I believed that if I could be perfect, all of my problems would disappear. However, over the years I’ve learned to embrace my imperfections and find the joy in every situation.
I’ve also learnt about the importance of telling people how you feel. Whether it’s telling your grandparents how much you love them or thanking a friend for being there for you during difficult times, your words will go a long way.
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I attended a leadership conference in high school where I learned about the importance of opening up to loved ones. In one of the sessions, we were asked to choose a friend or family member and tell them how grateful we feel to have them in our lives. Putting words into writing can feel difficult for some people, but after this presentation I realized that a simple text message or phone call can be extremely impactful. A text message only takes a few seconds to send, and a phone call doesn’t have to be long either.
TIP: University can be busy, and even remembering to eat three meals a day can be challenging!! In order to make time to check in with your friends, you should write a note in your agenda or set an alarm on your phone. This alarm or note will act as a friendly reminder to stop for a few minutes, breathe, and make these connections. This won’t feel like a chore as checking in with your friends and family will eventually become part of your daily routine.
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Now for the fun stuff…relationships.
It’s not easy to tell someone how you feel. Even though this comes more easily to some people, it can still seem uncomfortable and unfamiliar. It can be especially challenging to share these feelings with someone who you were friends with before, as you may feel like these newfound feelings will jeopardize your friendship. In order to assess the situation, look for some subtle hints to see if the other person may like you back. Do they laugh at your jokes when they aren’t funny? Text you back right away? Maintain solid eye contact? These are all signs that that they may be feeling the same way as you. If you don’t share your feelings with the other person, you will probably regret it. Channel your inner confident self and go for it.
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So… next time you’re waiting for your class to start, instead of checking Instagram, send a quick text to your friend. Instead of listening to the same tunes while you walk to work, call your grandparents. Finally, when you start developing feelings for someone you care about, tell them how you feel.
I promise that you won’t regret it.
XO,
Julia