How do I be myself in a world that’s against me?

There’s no defined answer to this question. My advice would be to express yourself in every creative outlet possible despite how difficult of a feat it may be. In the bigger picture, the world, society and every other element of life will attempt to condescend your attitude and mold you into whatever they see plausible. Don’t ever lose sight of your goals, and never let anyone (steer) you away from your motivation to achieve them. Keep your perspective straightforward; never look around at what others are doing. People lie and cheat and steal to get ahead of you and they always will. The life you possess has 70+ years if you’re lucky, take every opportune moment to construct the livelihood you desire. You’re the only one in control of your future; strive to be whatever you need. Stay young. Stay free.

There’s this boy that I really want to talk to but we’ve never talked to each other before. How can I start talking without it being awkward? Should I slide into the DMs?

Honestly, I would really suggest taking the initiative and strike up a conversation whether its about the deepest part of your personality or just about schoolwork. Start with baby-steps until you’re at least on acquaintance-friendship level with him. There are two methods of becoming closer:

1. Find out what he’s about; his personality, his favorite hobbies, and the sports he plays or doesn’t, music taste, etc… then just bring it up into a simple conversation.

OR

2. Tap him on the shoulder and say, “Hey, can you help me with (insert question about schoolwork.)” Play him like a game of Sorry.

Once you have him in your clutches, just steer the conversation to what you’re interested in. Continue this method until you’re moving on down to buddy-buddy/FWB. In the end, just pretend he’s one of your best friends and commit to the conversation. You got this.

TIPS:

• DO NOT FAKE YOUR INTEREST TO MATCH HIS!!!!
• Slide into the DMs AT YOUR OWN RISK!

How do I get over a breakup when he goes to our school?

First off, there’s around 5,000+ human bodies between you and your ex, that are breathing, sneezing and utilizing other bodily functions as the words flow from the page into the depths of your aching soul. Although I do not know the exact abyss of your love for one another, or the messiness of the breakup, I do know there are precautionary measures that can be taken to survive the warfare of high school love.

There are two pathways to maneuver through the situation . . .

MESSY BREAKUP:

1. Delete messages, pictures, keepsakes and him from your life completely; inhale positivity, exhale everything else.
2. Avoid contact with him as much as possible.
3. Move on, discover new relationships, and waltz through life.

MUTUAL BREAKUP

1. Inject space between you and him
2. Avoid contact until it’s mutually comfortable regarding the breakup.
3. Move on, discover new relationships, and waltz through life.

 TIPS:

• Always save face, maintain your composure. ALWAYS
• There’s no need for confrontation, yet do not treat him any less of a person; be nice, just don’t initiate.
• DO NOT base your self-worth over a silly high school love.

Take care, darling.

I have some close friends who can get a little out of control at times, especially when it comes to picking on me. Is there any way I can tell them to tone it down without being a wet blanket?

In my opinion, anyone who picks on you shouldn’t be considered as friends in your life regardless of the intimacy of the relationship, yet it up to your own judgment on the situational boundaries of ‘friendship’. Yes, of course there are countless methods of telling them to knock-it-off:

1. Be straight up with them, tell them that it’s just going too far and it’s making you uncomfortable.
2. Walk away from the conversation; it’s not worth being the ‘butt of the joke’.
3. Change the subject.
4. Find new friends?

Friends are obligated to support you and impact your life whether it be positive or negative. Surround yourself with what you desire and your life will follow suit. Speaking from personal experience with this exact problem, it’s just easier to find new people to hang around with; despite the social anxiety it gave me to actually build relationships, in the end, they benefitted my life far more than I ever expected. Just remember, that there are approximately seven to eight billion people on this planet waiting to be encountered by you. Letting free an old friendship, such as an abusive one demeaning you, shouldn’t be more than picking a pebble off the soles of your shoe. Good luck!