Being a teenage girl isn’t an easy thing, most people think it’s a walk in the park but that’s where we differ. Being a teenage girl can be very draining, always trying to look decent. No matter what you do, someone always has to say something. I personally think us girls start to mentally and physically develop during high school. Going through things physically and mentally in high school is very challenging in both ways.

       Mentally you start wanting different things, your opinions towards others and certain things change. When you start to physically change, it can be honestly upsetting. You could gain weight, lose weight, either way you had this image of yourself and then it starts to change. You lose confidence in yourself and start caring about what others think of you. You start caring about what you could wear to fit in more, or how you could act to fit in. 

       I am currently a junior at McPherson High School, and these past 3 years have been life changing. I learned a lot about myself and what I want in life. It was a draining experience to figure out who I am. Freshman year I struggled the most. Everyday was truly hard, I was mentally struggling and it affected my daily life. I wasn’t doing good academically, I was failing almost three classes. 

       Second semester of freshman year, I rebuilt my credits and focused on school. I started to focus on myself as the year went by, when I started sophomore year that’s when I truly started focusing on myself. There were times during my sophomore year where it did get rough, but I continued to push myself. I am now in my junior year, this year has truly been the best year of high school. I have prioritized my needs, and my passions. I am almost a 4.0 student, I thought I was never going to be at a 4.0, but this year I proved myself wrong.

        I am so proud of myself for how far I have come, I love everyday and I always tell myself if I am upset or mad, feelings are only temporary. I don’t let small things truly affect me. I physically struggle with my appearance sometimes, but I have to learn to love myself how I was made, because it only matters if you love yourself. I still struggle, I am still in my teenage years, but I can only look ahead and control myself, because you can’t control what others think of you, or if they like you, I’ve worried for too long. Being a teenage girl is going through these phases trying to figure out who you are, and you go through a lot of heartache to do so. It was never easy to get to where I’m at, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.