Will you sign my yearbook?

I started listening to my iPod again earlier this week. One of the first songs it went to on random was "Beautiful People" by Marilyn Manson. I had to laugh a little at myself for how much angst I had as a teenager. But it got me thinking...and then I read my cousin's note on Facebook about adolescence.

I often mutter the phrase "You couldn't pay me enough money to go through high school again." I like to think If only I knew then what I know now. But lately I have to wonder how much things have changed:

• When getting ready for a house-warming party, I chastised myself for wondering what I should wear. My friend called me a few minutes later with the same question.
• My friends and I still analyze the notes (emails, texts) we get from friends and romantic interests. Gossip and boys are still at the top of the order of most of our conversations.
• I know where the cute boys work in the skyway. (Again with the boys!)
• Try as I might, I still care what people think of me. I don't think I'm alone here.

As I sat trying to write some poignant advice to my cousin from someone who had "been there" I realized that maybe I still am there. Yeah sure, I might not be teased for being a band nerd anymore (well not teased often anyway) but the self-centered, adolescent mentality that everyone else is thinking something about you is still there. This reminds me of two things I read somewhere:

1. Don't take yourself too seriously. No one else does.
2. What other people think of you is none of your business.