I recently turned 13. In the 21st century, being a teen is so different than that compared to a couple decades ago! Teens are so much more mature, expected to be grown up by the time we hit puberty. There are so many responsibilities from homework to being your best, hanging out with friends and also having fun. It is difficult to be a teen as it is a phase where we learn to become young adults. We are learning new things every day, growing every day. But, there is always a struggle to fit in and be “cool”. Every day I struggle to be my best.

Corona has hit hard. Over the past couple months, so many tragic things have had happened, lives have been lost, jobs have been lost, bombings have had happened, a pandemic has taken control over our lives.

I feel really lucky and fortunate that I have food on the table and roof over my head. Everyday seems to be the same, wake up, do online school, eat, exercise and sleep. I find it very difficult to find motivation to work harder since there is nothing to look forward to. I am a swimmer and prior to the lockdown, I had been training a minimum of 4 times a week, it was a big shock to my body and I have been lacking exercise. I haven’t exercised less in almost 2 years, I struggle to find motivation. Like many people my age, I am tired of being home all day. I want to hang out with friends and go out for once. I want to have fun. I am growing so fast and I feel trapped in the limitations of my house. I have hit puberty; I have been growing taller, gaining weight and starting to experience things like acne, stretch marks, etc. I am stressed about not getting good grades, getting out of shape, getting to class on time. I feel like I am not heard, I am worried about my future. I want to be out there and to be communicative.

Us teens have so many things to do, so many talents, hobbies but that has been all trapped inside or put on hold because of this pandemic. But it gives us time to think about what's important to us and what we want to do in life. There are so many problems. During Covid, I have gone into many deep thoughts and that has led me to realize so much. I have realized that I want to experience things, have fun, and spend time with my family. I want to be able to travel again, go outside without wearing masks. I just want to live life to the fullest. We live in a fear of losing someone and being in pain every day.

Teens like me have had to grow up and stop being little careless kids but face problems that we were supposed to understand only in years to come. I have experienced so many emotions from being happy, sad, scared to being frustrated. Being helpful and understanding of each other is what is going to get us through these times. It’s hard being a teen but by understanding, caring and helping each other we can better the pain. Always remember there is someone that has it worse. Be safe, be happy!