Rants, Raves & Advice

Things I Wish I Had Been Told About Growing Up

- everyone gets a little (or a lot) squishy during and after puberty, and that's ok.
- everyone has stretch marks, regardless of how many or how big they are. Everyone has them. I have them on my butt. And that's ok.
- it's the same with cellulite. Less common with boys, but boys still have it! Cellulite is ok too. It's the (female) body's way of making sure you're fit and ready to start carrying children. It's normal and toughens the body. Even plants have their own variation! (Cellulose)
- shaving your genitals doesn't necessarily mean you'll be left with smooth, even skin - it's completely and utterly normal to be able to see stubble just under the skin and a ton of women accidentally cut themselves down there so it's cool. Like totally normal.
- hair grows in unknown places! It's normal! Just because they don't show it on TV doesn't mean it doesn't grow there. Butt crack hair? Normal. That weird line from your belly button to your crotch? Normal. Base of your back? Normal. Ankles? Normal. It's all ok!!! Hair grows wherever hair follicles are. They have no consideration of whether it's "supposed" to grow there or not. Just let your body do it's thing and remove the hair if you want to. (Although, removal if genital hair I strongly encourage otherwise you can get sweat rashes, itchiness, and it can smell quite bad)
- if your underarms are a different colour to the rest of you that's normal. The hair follicles under the skin make it like that
- hair grows around nipples. It's utterly normal and there's nothing wrong with you
- arms and legs grow before your torso so if you feel like a spider so does everyone else. Spiders feel like spiders all the time so count yourself lucky
- feelings can get confused sometimes! You often don't know what you like or who you like or even if you don't like anything at all. Don't stress! You'll figure it out after everything has settled, trust me. Don't go by whatever your brain is spitting out between 12 and 16 because you're still growing and learning and evolving into a new Pokemon and that takes some time.
- shower please. Shower often. You won't regret it
- you know that gallon of sweat that's pouring down your arm and sides even when it's cold???? Yeah you WILL grow out of that I promise. It's normal though!
- sometimes you have funky dreams and that's ok
- boys get random erections. That's ok too
- don't have a boyfriend/girlfriend? That's ok! Some people don't start acting until their 20s. In my honest opinion it's a bit of a waste of time in teen years. You don't know what you want most of the time and frankly dealing with heartbreak and pressures of high school can be too much. There's nothing wrong with not dating! Nothing at all! For whatever reason!!! You are the most important person in your life so concentrate on yourself ok??
- mum is right. You won't believe me now but mum is right.
- your mum cries for you a lot more than you think
- your mum knows about how you feel. Trust me. She knows. And she's probably doing a lot behind the scenes. She won't tell you though.
- sadness doesn't equal depression! It's ok to be sad! It's okay to be angry! They're just emotions! Depression is a mental illness and doesn't always feel like being sad. Don't fall into the trap of "I'm sad so I'm depressed"
- you fall out with some people and that's ok. It's part of growing up and learning. It's fine to move on and leave those people if they aren't good for you.
- being cynical and bitter isn't good. Idc what tumblr says they aren't good traits and shouldn't be glorified
- your smile is fine! Smile away :)
- boobs don't grow down, they grow out. And yes they're supposed to be pointy and slightly to the side
- don't date people much older than yourself. Stay safe! There are weirdos out there.
- doing what you want with your body doesn't mean having irresponsible sex and dressing like a stripper before the rent is due. It also doesn't mean getting 7 piercings at 12 years old. Chill! Look after yourself and STAY SAFE. There's a REASON why there's age limits on sēx and alcohol.
- don't smoke ok? Breathing is better
- don't drink before your 16 AT LEAST if you really must break the law. You can have fun without getting ratted!! I'm 17 and I've never drunk alcohol before and I still have a great time. It's bad for you! Especially underage!! And dangerous things can happen!!
- sometimes people lie about things they shouldn't lie about and you'll know what I mean when you come across that person
- you don't have to be someone's counsellor. You don't have to try and cute someone's mental issues. It can be draining and damaging to yourself. If they need help insist they get some
- homework is very important
- you don't have to decide what you want to do with your life just yet
- the one off bad grade is ok
- in fact it's normal!
- there are other routes in life
- your parents love you. Idc what you say or how rude you want to be but you need to love and respect them even if you don't always agree with them. You'll regret it otherwise.
- tumblr shouldn't dictate your life srsly some of those bloggers don't go outside they don't know how the world works
- having preferences is ok. Being nasty about people who don't fit those preferences isn't ok
- there will always be that one nasty person. It's your choice whether you let them affect you.
- cats are awesome. Fight me.