Becoming an Adult

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Expert Voices - Patrick Reynolds -

Becoming an Adult

About Becoming an Adult

Some teens take up smoking because they think it makes them look older, but it doesn’t. It just looks to most people like you’re making a big mistake -- probably the biggest of your life, in fact.

There’s no rush, you know. It’s okay to be the age you are. It’s okay to be yourself, right here and right now. I advise you to enjoy the present, and all the good moments your unique and special life brings you. All of you are now moving at your own pace as you cross the bridge from childhood to adulthood. In the teen years, things can start moving more quickly, like the rapids when a river gets narrow.

It’s actually normal to sometimes have very intense feelings, or to go through a rebellious period, or to feel as though you are apart from. This is part of the normal process of establishing your own identity and personality — apart from everyone else’s. These feelings are okay, and usually they are appropriate.

You may, for example, find yourself saying NO more to adults, or questioning your parents’ and teachers’ statements. You may find yourself easily flushed with anger, shame, joy, love, fear or other strong emotions. Whatever you do, just don’t make the mistake of rebelling, or setting yourself apart from, by using cigarettes, or by becoming addicted to drugs or alcohol.

If you feel angry, don’t turn your anger inward, on yourself, by smoking, or by becoming addicted to drugs or alcohol. If you do, you hurt only yourself, and you may not ever be able to stop. These addictions have a very good chance of killing you. So be smart, and do your best to make responsible choices.

Cigarettes are yesterday’s news — they are on the way out. If you get addicted to smoking, you’ll be on the way out too.

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