Eighth Grade

I was reading a good review on a new movie, "Eighth Grade," in which it mentions "Be yourself!"  It parodies this, and rightfully so.  When we are growing up, how can we be ourselves?  When you turn 13, 14 and so on in these teen years you have never been that age.  You have no experience being 13, plus you are developing physically, emotionally, and psychologically.  You cannot be the 12 year old you were nor the 13 you are now, this day.  So what to do?  Try some new experiences even if they might give you some fear.  Make sure that they are not harmful to you or others.  Going through a new airport on the way to a new destination to try some new things might be scary but it will not hurt you.  Go to a new museum.  Try a musical instrument.  I tried guitar as a teenager.  Read a book that is not school assigned.  Study a subject that has nothing to do with school assignments, such as zoology, or botany.  Read about flowers and birds.  The first time I saw classical ballet, I knew it was for me, not to dance but to enjoy.  Oh, learn some new dance such as square dance or ballroom.  Ignore the competitiveness in these areas. Even if you are a competitive athlete, less than 1% of us will be this as adults.  Do things for fun and curiosity.  All these are attempts to see what sparks you and gives you a sense of what you might have a passion for.  Walk through a library and see what book jacket topics attract you.  All this may help you to "Become yourself."  Becoming may be lifelong.  Staying self-absorbed will get no one anywhere.