the dilemna of distractions

It’s kind of hard being a teenager these days. I’m one, and trust me, my life is filled with distractions. From social media to school drama, I feel like there are a million things trying to pull me in different directions, all the time. Sometimes, I just want to scream, “Can you all just leave me alone?” But at the same time, some of these distractions are pretty fun, and I’m not exactly running away from them either. Here’s how a regular day in my life goes. I wake up to the sound of my alarm—well, actually, my phone. And before I even get out of bed, I find myself scrolling through instagram. One video turns into two, then ten, and before I know it, I’ve lost 30 minutes just lying in bed. It’s crazy how fast time flies when you’re on social media. I always tell myself that I’ll just check a couple of posts, but I get sucked in by these funny videos and memes. It’s like a rabbit hole of endless entertainment. Honestly, social media is one of the biggest distractions in my life right now. Then, there’s school. Don’t get me wrong, I know education is important. But sometimes, it’s hard to focus. In class, I’ll catch myself doodling in my notebook or daydreaming about what I’ll do after school. Another thing that distracts me is  extracurricular activities. I participate in all the functions at my school, and while I love dancing in them, it can be a lot to handle. I have full-day practices at school almost every day. While it’s fun to hang out with everyone and just have fun, it can be hard to juggle practice, homework, and having any time left for myself. I sometimes feel overwhelmed, like I’m stretched too thin. But at the same time, I know I don’t want to quit because it’s something I love doing. Then, there’s the pressure to figure out who I am and what I want to do with my life. At 14, people keep asking me what my plans are for the future. Do I want to go to college? What do I want to study? What career do I want? And I just want to say, “I don’t know!” It’s hard enough being a teenager right now without having to worry about my future. It’s stressful to think that every decision I make could impact the rest of my life. Sometimes, I get so caught up in thinking about the future that I forget to enjoy the present. But perhaps one of the biggest distractions I face is the constant pressure to be perfect. Everywhere I look—whether it’s on social media, at school, or even at home—there’s this expectation to be the best at everything. To get good grades, be popular, look pretty, and have everything figured out. It feels like I have to live up to some impossible standard, and that’s definitely distracting. Sometimes I wonder, “Am I good enough?” And that thought sticks with me even when I’m trying to focus on other things, like my hobbies or schoolwork.

Of course, not all distractions are bad. I mean, who doesn’t need a break from reality once in a while? Watching YouTube videos, texting my friends, or listening to music can help me escape when things get too overwhelming. These distractions help me relax and take my mind off the pressures of life. Sometimes, I just need a good laugh or a chat with a friend to remind me that everything will be okay. But I know that there’s a balance I need to find. I can’t let distractions take over my life. It’s something I’m still learning. It’s about figuring out how to have fun, stay connected with friends, and enjoy life without letting it mess up my responsibilities. I’ve started to set small goals for myself, like turning off my phone during homework time or limiting how much time I spend on social media. It’s not easy, but I think I’m getting better at it. At the end of the day, being a teenager means being surrounded by distractions. And while they can be overwhelming, they’re also just a part of life. I’m learning to navigate through them, one day at a time. I know I don’t have it all figured out yet, but I’m okay with that. I might get distracted, but at least I’m never stuck on one thing for too long!