Being a teenager nowadays is not easy. Between balancing friends, school, family, and figuring out what you want to do with your life, it’s normal for students to feel stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed. These are emotions everyone experiences, and they are part of growing up.

Finding True Friends

One common struggle teenagers face is discovering themselves while maintaining relationships with friends. Learning how to find friends who support and grow with you can be challenging, especially when you’re just starting to understand who you are.

Recognizing Toxic Friendships

Think of a time when you were friends with someone who seemed to have everything you needed in your life. They seemed perfect, like they filled a place in your world you didn’t know was empty.

Over time, you notice small things—they leave you out when they’re mad, or blame you for mistakes during group projects. Being around them starts to feel like walking on eggshells, yet you don’t want to lose the sense of comfort and normalcy they bring. Slowly, you can feel yourself unraveling mentally, trapped in a cage you built for yourself without realizing it.

In my experience, dealing with fake friends is difficult because you can become reliant on them. You might find yourself always chasing after them, thinking you’re the only one who has to fight to keep the friendship. Eventually, you realize you’re the only one putting in the effort.

Breaking Free and Choosing Yourself Breaking away from this cycle is always a struggle—you’ll question yourself and wonder if maybe you’re the problem. You might even feel like the “bad guy” for leaving. But you cannot think this way: if someone is hurting you, they are not a true friend, and you don’t need that negativity in your life. It is hard to break free, and you may make mistakes along the way, but choosing your well-being is always worth it.

I know sometimes it feels too much and you tell yourself you don’t matter. I’ve been there. But if you choose yourself, it will get better. Always remember you matter.