ADVICE FROM OLDER TEENS TO YOUNGER TEENS

Hey I posted a comment on a relationship check-in thread and I think its important for there to be a little spot on this group for older teens to give to younger teens advice with general life, school and relationship stuff!

Here's my advice for Relationships!

It's ok to not have a relationship when you're under 18 and even approaching the older teenage bracket (17-19). It's okay to have never been in a relationship during High School. Despite what society, parents, media and music tell you, it's okay to not be tied to someone. 
You don't NEED a relationship to be happy. You aren't unworthy for not being in a relationship and you're not less than or weird for not wanting one. You have your entire life and rushing into things now because everyone else has that thing isn't good for you and honestly, you're more likely to end up with a partner who's not good for you (like I did). It's better to feel a little sucky than be in a toxic or immature relationship which causes more stress than happiness. 
Sometimes the area you live in or the places you have to go to socialise just don't have someone who works for you. You'll all eventually have that freedom to go somewhere else, explore the world, see new things and meet new people. 

My piece of advice until you find yourself in a spot where you're able to have a relationship of your choosing is to work on yourself and get yourself in a spot where you're happy with yourself (for the most part at least, insecurities run DEEP and it's a huge ask to eliminate everything to do with self-doubt) and feel confident enough in who you are and what you love. Never abandon your principles for a person, don't try and change yourself and diminish your sparkle for someone else. Being your most authentic self will lead to the most happiness down the line and pretending to be something you're not will only make you unsatisfied and unhappy. You're more likely to find your perfect match if you're yourself. If someone tries to forcibly change you (through negative comments towards your appearance, interests and hobbies) RUN. NOT WORTH IT, HELL NAH!!

REMEMBER: A RELATIONSHIP IS SUPPOSED TO ADD TO YOUR LIFE NOT TAKE AWAY FROM IT. 
IF BEING WITH SOMEONE ISN'T ADDING ANYTHING POSITIVE TO YOUR LIFE, THIS IS NOT THE PERSON FOR YOU!!