Take control

I read an article yesterday about anxiety and depression among girls from the age of 15-19. That'll make them pupils in what you might say is high school and college. Apparently the use of medication for depression in that age group has increased by 57% the last ten years. I'd say that we should be concerned about that, and who is to blame? Or is it anybodys fault at all? The strive of being perfect is ruining us. Are we thinking about ourselves or our surroundings when we don't see our limitations?

It wasn't easy being a teenager 15 years ago and I'm sure it's not any easier today. But I think the goal of being perfect starts much earlier. We live in a society that is competitive and measurable results. Think how even parents talk to their kids: "This drawing is so nice", "You're so good at doing this" etc. School is just one step further. I remember it was sort of a competition to be the smartest even before we started having tests graded. 

Grades in school not only tell you how well you've done, but also how much better or worse you've done than your classmates. They're a decisive factor when you must choose a field of studies.

Let's not forget the factors that aren't associated with a formal education. You need to be popular among friends, good at whatever you're doing in your sparetime, look pretty and have the latest gadgets.

I'd say it is enough. The teenage years are hard enough and we don't need any extra weight on our shoulders. We should not need to seek acceptance from someone who don't matter, let alone don't care. Stop and think who you are doing it for, yourself or anybody else. You are the only main character in your life, everybody else is just extras. Take control of your life by saying stop when you need to. Don't let other dictate when you can or can't say no. Perfection is only an illusion, happiness is real. So what will you choose?

Choose yourself what you want to study, if you want to study at all. I think the image of success that is being portrayed today claims that it can only come from higher education. Like that will automatically grant you a good life. But it won't. It's about feeling pride. Pride that you're living, doing something good for yourself and the society. Let the salary come second, or even third.

"You are enough. You are so enough, it's unbelievable how enough you are. " 

You see? It's time to lower the shoulders, don't care if the dishwasher is full again or your shoes are from the last season.