Not Having A Clue

When we’re young, we tend to want to feel mature by thinking far ahead. We want to solve as many problems as possible. We tend to search for experiences so we’d be considered experienced. And yes, some people might assume you’re mature and experienced from what you’ve been through. But most, they’ll still consider you a baby.

This sucks. Probably more than anything. Being an adolescent means that you have to be able to strengthen your opinions, but also be able to be tough when people think you’re irrelevant. But believe me, some old people might be less experienced than you are. Just because they’re old, they consider themselves all-knowing.

Older people might have difficulties agreeing with your opinions, or even struggle to accept your maturity. Some of them might even say “what do you know? you’re only eighteen.” Not all, though. The other half might say “you’re probably right. I should learn from the young too.”

How do we make ourselves valid? Not that we need to, but sometimes we want to, right? Validation is necessary in social living. Having a strong opinion might take you to places. Being a brave and determined speaker might take you further than you expect.

Here’s how to sound valid in your teenage lives :

• Don’t stutter when you talk. People tend to listen more when your articulation is clear, your voice loud enough and you make enough space between words. Take a deep breath, think before you say, make up the sentences before you say them.
• Make sure what you’re saying isn’t in circles. Don’t go round and round with what you’re saying. Keep it simple and understandable.
• Ask them back, “what do you think of that matter?”
• Keep the tone low and gestures calm. You don’t want to sound disrespectful.

Those are the key points, and most of the time they work like magic. Sharing opinions with older people is sometimes difficult, because they might underestimate you. But for starters, you should never underestimate yourself. Be confident, be strong, be determined. Then their eyes will lay the same way as yours.

“You’re sixteen, you’re not supposed to know everything.” -Dr. Jean Milburn (Sex Education, Netflix)