Everyone goes through different phases in their lives, and many a time we wish we knew back then what we know. Now that I’m almost about to finish my middle school and jump into my freshman year, here are 6 things I wish I knew before Middle School.
- Popularity Isn’t Always The Answer
Every school has the so-called, ‘popular group’, which seemingly enjoy life most. They get invited to every party, are the topic of every conversation, known by almost everyone and the list goes on. Every kid in school dies to be a part of that gang just because it’s popular, but just because they are popular does not mean they are necessarily a good company or someone you would truly enjoy hanging out with. These groups are usually popular for their bad habits, not for the goodness in them. You can be popular but be popular for something you would want to be remembered for. You shouldn’t aim for being someone who is well known, you should aim for being someone who is worth knowing. ‘What’s right isn’t always popular and what’s popular isn’t always right.’
- People Throw Rocks at Things That Shine
In middle school, you will come across two types of people. One, who is always ready to attack you, they are watching and waiting for your fall out, two, the ones who bring you down for everything you do. It honestly becomes almost impossible to live your life the way you want because the first group is just watching you and the second group is taunting your every move. These two groups will bring you down but you cannot let them do so. Be confident in what you are doing. If you let them get you down once, you have basically given them the permission to constantly bring you down. The only reason they are bringing you down is that you are above them. ‘Some people don’t like you because your strength reminds them of their weakness.’ Don’t let all the hate, attacking and jealousy impact your life! ‘Never let people get you. They can only pull the trigger if you hand them the gun.’
- By Walking Away, You Can Dodge Bullets
A norm in middle school is that people may force you to do something you don’t enjoy, don’t like or something that your gut tells you isn’t right. If you feel something is wrong don’t do it! Just walk away from that offer, walking away is not an act of cowardness, it is an act of courage. By simply walking away you could dodge so many bullets you may not have even known were there. ‘Knowing when to walk away is wisdom, being able to, is courage, and walking away with your head high is dignity.’ Trust me, walking away from something that you feel is not right is one of the greatest things you could do. Walking away is equivalent to wearing a bulletproof coat.
- Don’t Depend On Others For Your Happiness
We often associate our happiness with others, but that is absolutely incorrect in fact dangerous. Everyone else won’t be there for you all the time, but you are there for yourself forever. When we depend on others for our happiness we are putting them before us. Being alone doesn’t mean you are lonely it means you strong enough to hold yourself without anyone else’s help. The more you depend on people for happiness, the lonelier you will feel. The time spent with yourself is the most important part of the day, it helps you understand yourself better. Always, always remember, ‘The season of loneliness and isolation is when the caterpillar gets its wings.’
- If You Need It, You Need To Work For It!
I believe our middle school self is a tiny reflection of our future selves, therefore we should absorb the most we can out of these years, this is one of the most important lessons I learnt. If you want to get a bar of chocolate, you can’t wish for it and it appears, you would need to go to the market, order online, ask someone to get it or get it yourself, it won’t come to you without any effort on your side, the same goes for our wishes in the real world. Honestly, no further explanation is needed, if you want it, you work for it, it’s that simple!
- Everyone Is A Human
At the end of the day, everyone is a human, everyone makes mistakes, everyone is constantly trying to improve their lives for the better. Be more patient towards everyone. I know in the middle school years everyone can seem intimidating and extremely annoying, but try to calm yourself down, be more patient and tolerant towards people. ‘A moment of patience in a moment of anger saves you hundreds of moments of regret.’ You don’t know what someone else is going through or in which situation he or she is, a thousand tears can be hidden behind a smile, just be tolerant. Always remember, ‘being patient is not the ability to wait, but how you act while you are waiting.’
These were the things I wish someone told me before I entered Middle School. I hope some of you find these helpful. Middle School can be a blood-curdling experience but you just have to believe in yourself, be true to yourself and be yourself, the rest will fall in place.