Be true to yourself. Trust your values, feelings, and opinions, even when you’re afraid that doing so will lead to rejection. This is especially hard as a teen, when fitting in can feel really important. However, being true to yourself comes with tons of benefits, including higher self-confidence, more satisfying relationships, and a greater likelihood of achieving your goals.
Pursue goals or activities that are meaningful to you, regardless of what others think.
Do your best to stand up for what you believe in, even if your opinion is unpopular.
Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. If you never fail, you’ll never learn and grow. Don’t be afraid to try new things, and embrace failure as a learning opportunity. Take risks, like entering your school’s talent show, trying out for a sports team, or asking out your crush.
Realize people usually believe their mistakes will have worse outcomes than they actually do.
When you feel yourself stressing about making a mistake, take a step back and consider the mistakes you’ve made in the past. Chances are, you were able to overcome the mistake. It may have even been a positive experience!
Pick a fear and conquer it. Everyone has something that scares them. Pick one of your fears, and address it head on. It doesn’t have to be anything crazy–many times, fears are small, like getting a job, or going to a new place alone.
For example, if you are afraid of public speaking, take a class that forces you to give an oral presentation.
Get involved in activities that interest you. Maybe you’re intrigued by cinema. Start a film critic blog or take a film class. If you’re an avid reader, join a book club, or start writing a short novel of your own. Exploring your interests now will help you find the things that inspire you in life. It can also give you ideas for potential career paths.
Taking up a hobby is a great way to explore a particular interest.
As a bonus, getting involved in interesting activities can connect you with cool, like-minded people.