Teenage years are years of self-discovery

TEENAGE AND SELF-DISCOVERY

While teenage years should be years of exploration and self-discovery, most teens tend to waste it focusing on other less important matters, mostly pleasing their peers. Being a teen marks a pivotal chapter in life. It is when individuals embark on a journey to understand who they are, what works for them, and how they really want to lead their adult life. Teenage, the period of self-discovery, is easily confused with adolescence. While adolescence is a transitional period between childhood and adulthood, that occurs within or may extend beyond the teenage years, teenage is just the duration between when one is thirteen and when one exits nineteen.

Why Teenage isn’t adolescence

This might be quite confusing, but it is easier put as a quite lengthy statement. While adolescence is characterized by immense physical and psychological changes, heightened sexual feelings, and identity construction- my that’s quite a mouthful already. Well, that gasp of air was needed. Well as I was putting it, adolescence is when varied and complex relationships emerge-the desire to be independent from their parents awakens and the grappling with ethical dilemmas begins while teenage is just a duration of years.

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Why Not Adolescence?

Just a minute. Didn’t we just say adolescence is when ethical dilemmas emerge and moral compasses develop? Then why discover in your teenage years, not adolescence? Well, adolescence extends beyond the teenage years. Maybe yes. Maybe no. But the truth is that no one wants to see a 25-year-old struggling to discover himself or herself. And that is why teenage years must be spent seeking self-discovery instead of wasting it away struggling to please peers.

Self-Discovery in Your Teens

Check Yourself

So how do you discover who you are and avoid struggling to be like your peers? First, it is advisable to check yourself. Look at yourself in the mirror and ask yourself what you see. Well, don’t focus on your facial features. This isn’t a question of how big your forehead looks, how pretty your eyes appear, or how bulged your muscles are. It is about that inner you—your personality. Things like what you enjoy doing, things you hate, what you feel is wrong, and right things. Check your interests for that hidden talent or potential career paths that may not have existed a few years ago. What is great about this is that in your teenage years, you now have a blueprint of how your life can be. Not the wild imaginations of a child where you wanted to be a pilot, just because it seemed nice flying high above the ground.

It is time to fill in the blanks

During your teens, you begin to notice that adult in you sprouting. You should begin to think about what kind of a person you want to develop into. That alcoholic who can’t differentiate the comfy of his bed from the ruggedness of the roadside. That parent who is constantly hard on his family just to avoid being questioned on his shortcomings. Of course, nobody wants that. That is why you ought to begin thinking and minding yourself. It all begins with having the courage to be responsible for your actions and decisions, focusing on doing what is morally right. And putting in you those qualities you feel are right. Look out for the problems you enjoy solving and immerse yourself in things you are passionate about.

Teenager, Explore

Discovering yourself is a trial-and-error process. You might be passionate about something at the beginning, but then as time goes by, it all fades away. That should not bother you. What you really want is something you will be passionate about for many years to come. You might think your hairstyle looks cool but after some time you begin to think you look ridiculous. That dress code could be very dope when you start, but then it all begins to appear silly, and you opt for a simpler look. Thats it. Just explore and discover what you really are comfortable with. Do you prefer that short hairstyle or long is your comfy zone? Just explore.

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Teenage; Why all the Trouble?

Why not just let the years fly by and let the physique increase? Why bother about who you really are? The answers are many. Because you don’t want to marry later and realize your wife ain’t just your type. You don’t want to be a mason and then later decide you were better off farming. You don’t want to become that careless, irresponsible father when you rather would have devoted your life to the priesthood. The list continues. Taking time to discover yourself as a teenager simply makes future life decisions easier. Why else would it be hard when you already know, what works for you, what you want, and who you are? Self-discovery does not end with discovering one’s likes and dislikes. It also involves understanding one’s strengths, weaknesses, and unique characteristics. It is an essential step in building self-confidence, resilience, and a sense of purpose.

I hope this helps you discover yourself. Stay tuned to Factsintel for more inspiring and life-changing blogs.