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Popularity isn’t everything.
Sure, it can be fun – especially if you’re “in” that particular week. But it’s not always as glamorous as it looks.
First off, being popular is not the same as having a lot of friends. True friends know each other well, not just superficially. Just because a lot of people know or like someone doesn’t necessarily mean they are all her good friends. Consider yourself lucky if you have even one friend who is true, heart-to-heart, soul-to-soul, secret-sharing, help-you-through anything, stand-up-for-you-always kind of friend.
Another thing – some popular people try to look good by putting down and excluding others. They might have friends, but they can also make plenty of enemies. Even girls in their own “in” group can back stab them simply because they wore the wrong fashion or liked the wrong guy, like in that movie, Odd Girl Out.
Choosing positive, caring, trustworthy friends might mean that you have to distance yourself from a particular popular crowd.
Besides, popular groups may have narrow ideas of what is acceptable. You have to like the “in” music and wear the “in” clothing and act like the “in” people and dislike the “out” people – or at least pretend you do. If you’re not liked for who you really are, are you really liked?
Listen, if you consider yourself Popular, you act like your true self, you have lots of true friends and you’re a good, happy kid, then congratulations. You’re one of the lucky few, and I hope you spread your happiness. This essay is for girls who are hurt by that Popularity Myth – even those who are popular.
And if you’re lonely, don’t give up on yourself. People who ignore you are just looking at superficial stuff. They obviously don’t know you are on the inside – the real you. Have faith that somebody kind will notice you and don’t let yourself be knocked down by unkind words. Just because someone says something doesn’t mean it’s true.
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