It’s Difficult Being The New Kid, Right?

It’s difficult being the new kid, right? I disagree.

As someone who has moved schools more than a few times, I can attest that being the new kid isn’t so bad. If you’re a new kid or want a fresh take on this topic, I encourage you to keep reading.

Two weeks ago, I started my junior year of high school. Not only at a new school but on the opposite side of the country. The move was unexpected, but I couldn’t be more grateful for my new home. 

Unlike my previous moves, I didn’t know anybody here. My friends and family were all 1,000 miles away; the area was unfamiliar, and everything was completely different. And that’s the best part: everything was completely different.

I took the move as an opportunity to reinvent myself and be whoever I wanted. In past years, I’ve struggled to find “my people,” so I took the summer leading up to the school year to ask myself: Who are my people? At the beginning of the summer, I couldn’t tell you. I had a small friend group that had formed during the three years I spent at my previous school, but I couldn’t find a common denominator between all of us.

The more I searched for this common denominator to define my relationships, the more I realized that I couldn’t even define myself. So, I took a few steps back and began my Journey Of Introspection. I wrote down my values and morals and the characteristics I see in myself. My key values include: respect, honesty, and inclusion, and my key characteristics are confidence, authenticity, and motivation. 

Then, I analyzed the relationships in my life, and, to my surprise, few lined up with my newfound sense of self. So, instead of clinging to relationships that aren’t fulfilling, I let go of them and adopted a new policy: “If your character doesn’t align with my values, you don’t have a seat at my table.” 

My social circle went from small to tiny. And that change was exactly what I needed. As I previously stated, after the move, everything was completely different. But now, I’m completely different too. I’m solely and purely me. The person my teachers and classmates met on the first day of school is a reflection of my key characteristics: confidence, authenticity, and motivation. I no longer felt like I had to change things about myself to find “my people,” we just gravitate towards each other.

After only eight school days, I can confidently say I love being the new kid. Every day is a breeze because I’m simply being myself. I’ve made friends, taken risks, and finally found the common denominator in my friendships: respect, honesty, and inclusion(AKA my key values). 

Even if you’re not the new kid, there’s always an opportunity to take a Journey Of Introspection and discover the true you. Take the time to consider yourself: How do you define yourself? What’s the common denominator in your relationships? What are your key morals? The answers are easy to find, but only for those willing to spend the time.

I hope you all have an amazing September, and I wish you all the best on your Journey Of Introspection! Happy changemaking!

-Lyn Jones


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