I’ve read a lot of writers talking about how young people, particularly boys, are struggling these days. Often these stories go on to point fingers at social media, gender roles, liberated women, etc. But what if the problem, and solution is much smaller and easier?
As someone who was extremely shy when I was young, and basically afraid to talk to someone I wasn’t already friends with (and yes somehow I did have friends), I wish I had had a mentor teach me social skills. I did eventually learn, on my own, how to talk to strangers, but my school days would have been so mush less stressful had I had help earlier in life.
I love this. We sort of end up with this impression that life is like a rom com, all super fun parties and everyone is fabulous and having a great time with people they enjoy. The day to day details - the hard bits - where you learn to become that person, where you are lonely, where you are brave; those things we don't talk about enough. The effort to become that person you want to be is worth it, and it does not just happen!
As someone who was extremely shy when I was young, and basically afraid to talk to someone I wasn’t already friends with (and yes somehow I did have friends), I wish I had had a mentor teach me social skills. I did eventually learn, on my own, how to talk to strangers, but my school days would have been so mush less stressful had I had help earlier in life.
I love this. We sort of end up with this impression that life is like a rom com, all super fun parties and everyone is fabulous and having a great time with people they enjoy. The day to day details - the hard bits - where you learn to become that person, where you are lonely, where you are brave; those things we don't talk about enough. The effort to become that person you want to be is worth it, and it does not just happen!
Someone one should write stories about that hard part… 😁