I was so impressed with this teen regarding letting go of friends that no longer had the same interests as her. Instead of conforming and going along with the crowd because she was afraid of not having any friends, she stayed in her truth about who she was. I wish all girls could see their value and not change who they are because they are ultimately afraid of being alone or not fitting in. Enjoy this article from an empowered teen.
Moving On
by Chloe Hiller
I have known most of my friends since 2nd grade but we didn’t get close until 5th grade. In 5th and 6th grade we formed a “squad” and most of us liked to do the same things like playing volleyball and cheerleading. When 7th grade began we automatically reformed our friendship by hanging out during recess and sitting together at lunch.
Most of us were on the varsity volleyball team but by the time the middle of 7th grade came around I decided that I did not want to cheer anymore so I could focus on other activities outside of school and my grades.
My friends were not happy with my decision but we still stayed friends. I noticed that they were starting to act and dress differently, like wearing lots of makeup and really nice clothes to school where I always like to be more casual and don’t wear much makeup at all. I also noticed at lunch that they were being sort of mean toward other girls and being really dramatic about things that just didn’t seem important. One day, I was being my normal funny and goofy self and they just stopped laughing at my jokes and told me that I was really weird. They just didn’t get me anymore. I was a little bit sad, but I also had other friends in my classes that I started to sit with at lunch and hang out with before school and during recess.
My once close friends asked why I didn’t sit with them anymore or talk to them as much and I told them that I love them like sisters and they would always be my friends but they just didn’t “get me” anymore. I said that my priorities were different and I needed to be around people that would understand and support the things I wanted to do.
Now we are almost in the middle of 8th grade and I still see those girls at school every day and sometimes when I’m hanging out with my current friends. They are respectful to me and I’m glad that they understand that I have other things to do. It was a really tough conversation to have in 7th grade, but I’m glad that I was bold and confident enough to tell them how I felt and that I was able to move on and find other friends that are on the same page as I am.
