Is there anything you want to change about yourself? Disliking your hair, weight, the color of your eyes, or body structure is common among teenagers. Studies show that around 96% of teenagers dislike their physical appearances, most especially their faces and bodies. Feeling like you want to be different is normal. This feeling will help you find growth and changes in your life. Being a teenager is about being different from one another. It is about discovering your differences from other people your age. If you ever go through a moment where you feel like you’re out of the ordinary, don’t worry. Many adolescents feel that way as well. As a teenager, you may feel like you have to change yourself to fit in. Society has conditioned you to think in a certain way that makes you want to change yourself. The five common ideas that most teenagers believe are (1) you have to be smart to be successful, (2) happiness comes from having nothing to worry about, (3) you can get the man of your dreams if you are pretty enough, (4) only good-looking guys get pretty girls, and (5) making a mistake is bad. 

As you grow up, you will soon realize that these ideas are not true. There are a lot of successful people who aren't smart in school. People can find happiness despite having busy schedules. You can date whoever you want, regardless of your looks. Lastly, mistakes are unavoidable. The best you can do is learn from them. If you want to live a different life, the most important thing you need to do is change. You will always get the same results if you keep doing the same things. You have to change both your mindset and attitude in life. Let’s look at the story of Gavin and how he managed to change his life. Gavin is a third-year high school student. His parents divorced, and he went through a rebellious phase where he refused to listen to anyone. Gavin felt like his parents paid no attention to him. Every day, his mother would scold him for not doing his share of the household chores. At school, Gavin was often sent to the principal's office for fighting with other students.

One day, Gavin's mom finally got tired of his behavior and decided to have a serious conversation with him. She explained how difficult life already was, having to raise him alone and going through a divorce. She told Gavin that she understood his anger, but she needed him to be strong as well. In the end, they only had each other. If Gavin continued his behavior, it would only be harder for both of them. At that moment, Gavin realized that he was not the only one suffering from his parent's divorce. It was true that he had lost the chance to have a complete family, but his mom was devastated as well. Gavin decided to change his behavior instantly. His attitude was not helping anyone. He was already receiving the love and attention he was seeking from his parents. It was he who was unable to see it. From then on, Gavin would wake up early and clean the house himself. He also did his best to get along with other students. By doing this, Gavin and his mother grew closer than ever. They were more open to one another, and he managed to build a good relationship with his dad. Changing your life is easier said than done. However, the first step to a better future is change.