By Kaidlen Key
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February 6, 2025
The Truth About Love: What Teens Need to Know Love—whether it’s the first crush, your first real relationship, or the deep, unspoken connection you share with your best friend—has a way of making everything feel so intense, confusing, and sometimes even a little bit magical. But let’s be real: love can be complicated. Here’s the truth about love, straight from someone who gets it—no sugarcoating, just the real deal. 1. Love Isn’t Always Like in the Movies We’ve all watched movies or TikToks where love seems perfect, and everything just falls into place. But spoiler alert: real love isn’t like that. It takes work. Sometimes it means understanding that the other person has flaws (just like you) and learning how to navigate those moments of disagreement without feeling like the relationship is doomed. 2. It’s Okay to Be a Little Confused Feeling confused about your emotions? That’s totally normal, especially during your teen years. You might feel one way one day and a completely different way the next. Your feelings can change as you grow and get to know yourself better, and that's okay. Love doesn’t have a timeline, so don’t stress if things don’t feel clear-cut right away. 3. Don’t Rush Into Things There’s no need to rush into a relationship because everyone around you seems to be in one, or because it looks "cool" on social media. Take the time to learn about yourself first. Know what you want, what makes you happy, and what you're willing to give in a relationship. Healthy love always starts with loving yourself first, even if that sounds a little cliché. 4. Communication is Key If there's one thing every relationship needs, it's communication. Whether it’s talking about how you feel, what you're struggling with, or just sharing your day-to-day thoughts—being open with each other is essential. If something’s bothering you, speak up. Bottling things up can lead to misunderstandings, hurt feelings, and unnecessary drama. 5. Love Should Make You Feel Good (Most of the Time) Love doesn’t always have to be about grand gestures or butterflies in your stomach. It’s about support, trust, and feeling like you can be yourself around someone. Real love will make you feel safe, appreciated, and like you’ve found someone who truly values you. But here’s the kicker—if a relationship makes you feel bad more than it makes you feel good, it’s time to take a step back. A relationship should add to your happiness, not drain it. 6. It’s Okay to Be Single Too Don’t let anyone make you feel like you’re “missing out” because you’re not in a relationship. Being single gives you the time and space to figure out who you are without any distractions. Plus, it’s an opportunity to strengthen your relationships with friends, work on your passions, and just enjoy being you. There’s no rush to jump into a relationship—it’ll happen when it’s right. 7. Friendship Comes First Before you dive into love, make sure the foundation of any relationship starts with friendship. Some of the best relationships grow from strong, solid friendships, where you’ve built trust and respect long before things get romantic. A solid friendship can weather the ups and downs that love brings. 8. Not Everyone Will Understand Your Love Story Everyone experiences love differently, and not everyone will get what you're going through, especially if you’re just starting to figure out how love works for you. Some people may have different opinions on what’s “normal” or “healthy,” but at the end of the day, it’s your relationship. Trust yourself and your instincts. 9. Love Can Be a Learning Experience Every experience, whether it’s a crush or a serious relationship, teaches you something. If things don’t work out, it’s not the end of the world—it’s an opportunity to grow. What did you learn about yourself? What would you do differently next time? Embrace these lessons and use them to shape your future relationships. Final Thoughts Love might feel like a rollercoaster at times—full of ups and downs, twists and turns—but that’s part of the journey. It’s all about finding balance, understanding yourself, and being open to growth. Take it slow, be kind to yourself, and remember that real love starts with knowing your worth. So, whether you're riding the wave of a first crush or just learning what love really means, know that you’re not alone. We’re all figuring it out, one moment at a time. -Kaidlen💫