Written by Karen Tang, General Member
In Canada, the definition of “youth” typically refers to those in the stage of life from adolescence to early adulthood, or between ages 15-29.
Youth health is of particular importance at this time, given that this phase in life is often about growth, change, and promise. This is the time where we discover how to connect, learn, and contribute to our selves, to our interpersonal relationships, and to the broader society.
A time to develop our identity
Early adolescence is typically the first time that youth begin to think about our identity, coupled with increased self-discovery. The development of a strong and stable sense of self is one of those central milestones we hit in adolescence, but that is not to say our development of identity ends there! Our identity is ever changing, so it can be helpful during this time to cultivate a growth mindset and build greater resiliency, which will help you both in the present and in the future.
A growth mindset is believing that one’s abilities are not innate but can be improved through effort, learning, and persistence. Adopting a growth mindset is an attitude or way of thinking that a person has when faced with a challenge, how they process failures, and how they adapt as a result.
A growth mindset goes hand in hand with resilience. Resilience can be defined as the ability to persist, grow, and succeed in life, despite adversity or challenges.
Here are some ideas of how you can begin (and continue) to develop your sense of who you are:
Join different spaces where it is safe for you to explore your sense of self as an individual and within the community. This may including accepting spaces for queer youth, programs that focus on supporting Black youth’s feelings of cultural pride, etc. These can provide meaningful opportunities for you to connect with like-minded peers.
Try new activities or extracurriculars that interest you! Have you always wanted to learn how to paint or crochet? See if there are any cost-effective classes near you or even better, join an art club hosted at school or on your campus!
Engaging in sports and recreation are also great environments for you to build your social identity, which can help boost your self-worth and social skills.
Give mindfulness activities a try! Mindfulness has been shown to be one of the best practices for cultivating resilience. See below for some resources on mindfulness activities.
Remember that everyone starts off as an amateur! It can be scary to try something new that you do not have experience in (like taking up a new sport or hobby) but everyone starts off as a beginner! It is okay to make mistakes! Part of the journey in life is learning about who you are, and what you like and dislike. Even if you feel like you are failing, this is you learning how to be resilient and adopting a growth mindset.
A time to experience greater independence
As a youth, you will also be experiencing greater independence, particularly after high school. Your path may be deviating from those of your peers, whether you are choosing to pursue university or college, going into the workforce, or taking a gap year. You may also have greater responsibilities now such as paying the bills, or studying and balancing a part-time job! This period can be exciting and also daunting! Here are some tips on how to manage it:
Embrace how you are feeling! Periods of big life transitions can often be filled with uncertainty and stress. Remember that you are not alone. Reach out to your support system if you need to, or other resources such as your university counselling centre or https://kidshelpphone.ca/ by calling (1-800-668-6868) or texting (686868).
Time management is crucial. Especially if you are pursuing higher education, you may be balancing coursework, studying, homework, a part-time job, and other life commitments! It can be helpful to use an agenda or schedule, including prioritizing work according to deadlines. Avoid leaving things to the last minute no matter how tempted you are to procrastinate.
Balance is key! Don’t forget to schedule in time for self-care. It may feel like you are always “on the go” but it is important to slow down and decompress at times. This may include scheduling regular physical activity, reading, trying a new hobby, or spending time with friends and family. Self-care is personal, so choose what feels good to you and don’t be afraid to try out different things or hobbies!
Best of luck and I hope you embrace this time of exciting self-discovery and change!
Resources and further reading:
Learn more about resilience and growth mindset with different activities you can try (filtered by level or grade): https://ggie.berkeley.edu/student-well-being/growth-mindset-for-students/#tab__3
Mindfulness activities to try (filtered by level or grade): https://ggie.berkeley.edu/student-well-being/mindfulness-for-students/#tab__3