Defying Perfection

Perfection- it has taken over the lives of millions of teenagers.

Expectations of perfection from parents, teachers, guardians, random people you've never even met, classmates, friends, and even yourself. 

Perfection has become the new requirement- no flaws allowed. 

But beneath that perfect, there is both beauty and pain. Growth. Love. Hurt. Dreams.

Life as a teenager is loud. The noise of one's brain, the yelling of perfections at you because you have to do it right, you can't make a mistake, you can't have a flaw. Or maybe it's the noise of unrest- because friends aren't easy right now, school is a struggle, you have so many dreams in your head, and no way to let them out.

Being a teenager is emotional- experiencing new things for the first time- break ups, crushes, betrayal, love. Learning how to cope with those emotions and overcome the hardest of days.

Being a teenager is beautiful- because you get to grow, and experience new things that you've never gotten the chance to experience. You have a whole world out there for you. So many opportunities, so many people to meet, things to do.

Being a teenager is scary- so much to do, so little time, so much pressure, so little support. There is no guide book to live the perfect life- no guidebook that tells you how to live your life, how to get into college, how to overcome obstacles, how to get rid of anxiety.

Being a teenager is opportunistic, but stressful. Being a teenager is restricting, but free. Being a teenager is the hardest thing that you will ever experience, but you are overcoming it- and are doing a great job.

Being a teenager means surviving. Getting through those hard days, overcoming those obstacles, winning that game, performing in that play or concert, acing that test, achieving that dream, shaping yourself for your future.

Being a teenager is a lot to handle. The emotions are endless, on complete opposite sides of the spectrum at once. It isn't easy- it is hard, it is messy, and somedays, it will feel like too much.

But as a teenager, you don't have to be perfect. In fact, perfection has never, ever existed. Never has, never will. And you can continue striving for perfection, trying as hard as you can, but you are better off just living, doing what makes you happy and showing that you love yourself. Showing that you love others, showing that you defy perfection, because you are your own imperfect, beautiful self.