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| How I (and most of my friends) felt in middle school |
Because it was a nice, hot, sunny June day, I decided to go to the pool. I haven't been to the pool in years so it was a slightly strange experience, especially since I went by myself like the loner I am. It was super crowded and there were no open chairs so I found an isolated section of grass and plopped down with my book and my iPod. Unbeknownst to me, I'd picked the spot next to a group of middle school girls. When the whistle for adult swim blew, they came flocking back to their towels, already giggling and "OMG"-ing and "I need my hands to dry so I can use my device" (direct quote)-ing. Listening to their conversation reminded me how vicious middle school girls can be and made me realize that I was probably just as cringe-y and awful as them in many ways back in 7th grade. One of the girls was clearly the ring leader and it was her in particular I couldn't stand, largely because she reminded me of so many of the girls I knew who made other girls' lives miserable. It was clear that her other three friends worshipped her and in return she used them. It made me sad to see what was probably once a very normal, healthy friendship back in elementary school falling apart because people "grow up" and start to value things that don't actually have intrinsic value, like popularity and beauty and being noticed. To all the girls in middle school who aren't the skinny girl in the bright pink bikini: don't worry. You're not doing anything wrong. You're doing just fine. She is just some version of someone's "ideal". But guess what? Ideals are boring and overrated. Popularity, beauty, being "liked": they will not fulfill you, not in the way you most desire. They're like black holes; they fill the emptiness with more emptiness. Pursue the things that bring you joy. Wear the clothes that make you smile when you look in the mirror. Cut your hair how you want to. Study hard. Get outside. Turn your phone off. Forget about the drama. You were made for so much more than pettiness. You were made to have big ideas and strong opinions and you were made to make the world a better place. So be kind and be strong and try not to waste too much of your time wishing to be anyone besides yourself. It is futile and self-defeating and you are more than that.
"You is kind. You is smart. You is important."
-Aibileen Clark
Day 1278 Song Recommendation: "22" by Night Beds.
Day 1279 Song Recommendation: "Too Much" by Geographer.
Day 1280 Song Recommendation: "Past Lives" by Local Natives.
Day 1281 Song Recommendation: "Got to My Head" by Waters.
Day 1282 Song Recommendation: "Idols" by Joel Ansett.
Day 1283 Song Recommendation: "Song for Zula" by Ronnie Fauss.
Day 1284 Song Recommendation: "Last Waltz" by Horse Feathers.
Day 1285 Song Recommendation: "Elysium" by Bear's Den.
-SE Wagner
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