THE ULTIMATE “DON’T STRESS” FOR TEENS

Gymnasts are over achievers in so many areas. Sometimes, it can feel like everyone in your class has had a boyfriend or girlfriend before you have. Or everyone else is getting straight A’s while you’re stuck with a C in Math. Or, somehow, you’re not doing high school right, because your story doesn’t look anything like what you see in TV shows or movies about “the best years of your life.” You spend countless hours in the gym and you feel you may be missing something.

I’m here to tell you that it’s okay if you feel this way — and, in fact, it’s totally, utterly, and completely normal if most of your high school experience doesn’t feel like one epic “High School Musical”-worthy song and dance number. But it can be survivable (and maybe even fun, sometimes), if you can find a way to shake off the pressure you’re putting on yourself to find a prom date, or that perfect group of friends, and vow to stop being embarrassed about the things you like or do.

With this in mind, I’d like you to repeat after me,:

“It’s Okay If You…”

Haven’t had your first kiss by the time you graduate high school

.. or you haven’t had a real boyfriend or girlfriend by the time you graduate. You may feel like the only one, but I promise you, it’s totally normal to experience this stuff for the first time in your twenties. Don’t be embarrassed. It’s not a big deal and you have LOTS of time. Think of it in terms of a new skill you are working on- don’t rush!

Don’t have a date for prom

The tv shows and movies you watch may make it seem like prom night is the most magical, romantic night of your teenage life, but in reality, sometimes having a date you don’t know too well can be a little awkward. And honestly: Not everyone likes dancing (just ask Zayn from One Direction) (Like my pop culture reference!). Don’t stress if the date-of-your-dreams doesn’t ask you to the prom in an elaborate Youtube-worthy way, or at all. Prom isn’t the culminating moment of high school. It’s just a dance.

Don’t have a “best friend”

Not everyone finds that person — or group of people — who “get” them in high school. If you ever feel like you’re the only person without someone to sit with at lunch, believe us when we say: even that person who seems like they are friends with everyone has had their day of lunch table panic. When you get to college you’ll meet a much more diverse group of people, many of which will share more interests with you. Until then, don’t stress – you’re not abnormal and you’re cool just the way you are.

Have never had a “summer fling”

So, you didn’t have that “perfect” summer job lifeguarding at the beach and hanging out with cute guys and girls all day, and instead spent most your summer working out in a hot gym sweating your butt off. Believe us: you have more in common with most teenagers across America than you might think.

Don’t have straight A’s

College applications are stressful, and sometimes the pressure to be perfect in school can make you feel completely and utterly overwhelmed. But guess what? Most people don’t get into Harvard, and they turn out just fine. When your report card comes, remember to take a deep breath and tell yourself that everything is going to be okay. Despite any pressure you feel from your parents or other people around you, it’s not the end of the world if you don’t see A’s.

Don’t win a senior superlative

We’ll give you our own right now: “Way too awesome to be bothered with something as trivial as a yearbook superlative.”