Anxieteen

Angst seems to be the first thing that comes to peoples’ minds when the words “coming of age” are uttered. I personally have a different outlook than what seems to be the popular opinion. Based on my personal experience, I definitely do not think that angst is a defining factor of coming of age at all. Admittedly, doing some serious soul-searching and finding your place in society is not an easy task, but it is an incredible learning experience. Angst should not consume someone at this stage in their life, as it can be a very positive time, full of new experiences and a lot of growth. Finding yourself is challenging enough, but doing it with a mind clouded with anxieties and fears is even worse. I think every day should be viewed as a learning experience during the coming of age journey. Learning more and more about yourself every day is an exciting journey, and discovering things you love is definitely positive. I personally did not feel much angst during this time of my life, but rather excitement for the future. However, I am aware that not everybody’s coming of age experience is the same. http://www.theguardian.com/society/2011/apr/17/teenage-girls-angst-depression-demos this particular article goes on to say that teenage girls in fact feel more angst than boys, due to many factors like stress about self-image, and develop unhealthy habits like smoking and skipping meals. I think the common denominator in everyone going through this coming of age process is stress for the future, but I also think this is because people place expectations upon themselves to have their whole lives planned out at the ripe age of 16. Once I came to the realization that it was totally okay to not know exactly where I’d be in 5 years from now, it felt like a weight was lifted off my shoulders, and I think that more people need to realize this. I definitely think that the stress of going through high school can take a toll on any teen’s sanity, but I think things can only go uphill from there. I believe that a lot of stress may go away after high school, when teens have more freedom and independence in terms of our education and deciding what we want to learn. Everything is much more positive when you’re learning about and discovering your passions. It’s certainly easy to fall into the realm of negativity and angst, but making a conscious effort to be positive has worked for me, and made my experience a good one. In the end, every individual has a unique experience, but I certainly do not think that angst is a defining feature of coming of age, but rather learning and experiencing new things.