“Wanna hang out?”
“Obviously!”
“OK, so what should we do?”
Crickets.
I could suggest the mall, but I don’t need anything. I would say we could see a movie, but nothing good is playing. We could go get food, but that’s so typical. I would propose a walk at a park, but the weather is unpredictable. Repeatedly, I grapple with there not being much appealing for teenagers when it comes to socialization spots. If I had the means to fix this issue, I would, believe me.
“You young people are upset with your government, but that is your strength. I was once in your shoes, and my discontentment laid the foundation of the republic we have today,” the man portraying Thomas Jefferson asserted. His words sent a jolt to my chest, as I realized the immense responsibility I possess as a teenager. My voice is impactful.
You can do anything you set your mind to!” Ah, the phrase we all heard over and over throughout early childhood. Theoretically, this is the best encouragement to tell kids, because it makes them believe they can excel at whatever they choose.
But I was not like most kids, so I didn’t choose. I interpreted this phrase as: “You can do everything you set your mind to!” So, that is exactly what I did – at least for a little while.
I have never known a world without smartphones. The instant I came into this world, my photo was texted to family. As I grew, phones evolved from helpful tools of connection to all-consuming weapons of disconnect.
Eyes became glued to screens, seeking validation from social media, craving easy dopamine in scrolling and relying on the comforts of distraction to escape reality. We have become addicts. But what would happen to the world if we removed the very thing we rely upon?
“Now up to bat, Joanie McCormack!” I step up to the plate and meet the pitcher’s gaze before finding his glove, which is loaded with the baseball. I sense eyes on my ponytail and feminine frame, but I’m accustomed to it by now: I’ve been playing baseball since I was 5 years old. People have always wondered why I play. Honestly, sometimes I do, too.
You’re in English class, trying to concentrate on your work, but you just can’t. All your classmates are chitchatting, laughing and apparently having the most heated debates of their lives, all while you’re trying to stay on task. If only there was a way you could tune them all out! The reality is there is a solution, though a lot of teachers will disagree with it: listening to music.
How many clothes do you think you own? How much did they cost? Well, I counted my wardrobe and I have 316 items of clothing, which may seem like a lot. You’re probably thinking I spent a lot on those clothes, too. When you walk into nearly any clothing store, you see jeans for $60, basic T-shirts for $30 and dresses for $55. However, I didn’t spend nearly that much on my wardrobe. Of my 316 pieces, 203 were thrifted for about $3 a piece. For this reason and many more, I realized thrifting is the best way to shop.
