Ep 3 Growing up as Teenager Part 1

TRANSCRIPT FOR EP3 :
Welcome to Woman Leadership show. I'm Janet and in this episode, I will be sharing with you how I feel about growing up as a teenager.

Secondary school days were one of the most memorable moments in my life. Though I no longer stayed in the shop during those days as my grandmother brought me to stay with her at my aunty house, I would still prefer to spend more time at school. By spending time in school activities and attending lessons, I did not feel alone and had company of friends and teachers. My late mum would brought me home to stay with her during school holidays and that’s where I started to have curfews and ban from long hours on the phone. Other than friends, I felt no one understood what I was going through at home not even my late mum who was not there for me during my childhood. Hence, I love going the time at school where I was occupied with school activities and chatting with friends. 

I was nominated to be a school prefect which was my first experience of being a student leader taking responsibility to ensure my assigned tasks are completed daily and report back to head of prefect on a daily basis. I participated in student leader camp where I was given opportunity to interact student leaders from other schools and learn about leadership qualities. 

In addition to being a prefect, I was active in participating track and field events, was appointed house captain and took part in debate competition. As I was outgoing by nature, I enjoyed getting to know new friends and became popular in school as someone who is cheerful, lively and loves sports. However, when I went home I became the quiet lonely girl who would kept to herself in the room most of the times. At times, I would thought that I had split personality or was it the real me in school portraying another side of me. 

My relationship with my late mum was strained as she was not able to handle the changes in me wanting to be an adult and has my own way of thinking and opinions. At one point, we had big quarrels and I had thoughts of running away from home. At times, I wanted to jump down from my mum’s house from high floor. Somehow, something pulled me back from doing so , I could not bring myself to do it and I did not want my mum to be sad losing her only child. 

As I was the little girl who in her teenage years longed for attention and love from others, I would also hang out with friends in different places and getting to know new friends outside home. I would also love to chat on the phone for hours till I was banned from using the phone both at aunty and my mum house. Those were the days of ups and downs but I was glad that I had a group of close friends in class and prefect group who were good influence for me to study well for my studies otherwise I probably would have gone astray with some of the friends I knew outside the class and school. 

I had a best friend in the same class as me and she would encouraged me whenever I encountered problems with my mum or at home. She was there to listen to my problems and it helped me to feel better and continue to focus on my studies. We would studied together in community centers and went jogging or play sports together after revision. The routine has also helped me to instill discipline and time management. 

My first key takeaway from this sharing is that when I was actively participating in school activities, I would have less time for negative thinking and those have kept me physically and mentally active. Now whenever, I feel moody or upset, I will go for a walk to get me in motion or get myself active by doing something such as packing my room instead of lying on my bed or doing nothing at all.  

Second takeaway for me is important to have a group of supportive friends and environment to support my learning and growth. Without my best friend and group of good friends’ encouragement and listening ear, I would not have been able to focus on my studies and motivated to do well in O levels. As the saying goes, who you would be the 5 people you hang out with most of the times. 

Third takeaway is that do not take my life for granted, as long as my life is not destined to end yet, I still have so much to contribute to others. Whenever I feel that life has nothing to offer or questioning my existence, I would remind myself life is precious do not harm myself in anyway such as ending my life or beating myself up. 

I hope that through my sharing, it draws inspiration and personal reflection for you. 
I look forward to seeing you in my next episode where I will be continue my sharing with you my experience growing up as a teenager.