A Sparkly Pep Talk

Sparkler nonamejoetoaster reminds us that we can all use a little pick-me-up now and then, especially when our friends, parents, and SO are all being dumbheads at the same time. —SparkNotes editors

Here's my list of ways to feel better about yourself:

1. Stop caring about what people think

Stop worrying if that person is staring at you because she thinks you are an alien invading planet Earth! Do what you love, and don’t worry if people think you're weird, stupid, or whatever you might think they think. If you ARE an alien, it's cool, maybe we can work on intergalactic peace?

2. Keep track of what you enjoy—and hate—doing.

If you like eating Cheetos while in the shower, then by all means, GO FOR IT! Knowing what you love and hate will help you learn who you are. It will also mitigate the chances of making the same mistake twice.

3. Stop relying on others so much.

Have a one-person party! You don't need others to tell you what to do, and other people shouldn’t decide what’s fun for you. If you like running around in your underwear and a blanket and cape while listening to a jack-in-the-box, then do that on a Saturday night.

4. Embrace all of your emotions.

If you're feeling sad, you don’t have to force yourself to put on a happy face, or numb the pain. Instead, think deeply about why you feel the way you do. After a while, you'll be able to let the emotion go naturally. You can’t stay mad or sad for all of time, after all.

5. Forgive and forget.

And by "forget," I mean, "Forget about everyone who has continually wronged you. They shouldn't be in your life." Don't use this on your mom if she eats all of your pretzels or something. It might make you mad, but that's not worth giving up a relationship over. Instead, I suggest using this on friends who have a negative effect on you and your choices—Negative Nathan, Self-Centered Sarah, Greedy Greg, Manipulative Mary, and their crew.

6. Be thankful!

Say thanks when your mom makes chocolate cake (yum! ^_^ ), be thankful for life, for your creepy neighbor for providing hilarity, for your home, and for everything else that you do have. Focus on the positive, rather than what you don't have.

7. Smile

Laugh when you can, and don’t fear happiness!

8. Don’t worry about meaningless things

So what, you got a bad haircut and screwed up big time on a homework assignment. Life isn’t perfect, and neither are you, or anyone else.

9. Lastly (because nine is a lucky number) embrace who you are.

All your little quirks, your weird laugh, your cowlick (like alfalfa from Little Rascals!), make you unique. You always want to look your best, but that doesn’t mean you should look like Barbie or Ken. Embrace yourself and your talents by setting achievable goals and feeling proud when you reach them. These will be little reminders that you are wonderful.

When's the last time you needed a pep talk?

Related Post: Auntie SparkNotes: Hell Threats and Toxic Friends

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