Guest Author - Shanita Alexander

Most teenagers at some point in their lives experience being excluded from a group or suddenly being ignored by friends. Being rejected or ignored can be painful as a teen but it's quite normal. Just as you are struggling with discovering your individuality, other teenagers are experiencing that also. Some teens who suffer from depression may isolate themselves while others may act out and want others to feel what they feel. We all experience problems with self-esteem at some point in our lives, especially during our teen years when we're trying to figure out who we are and where we fit in the world.

As a teenager it's very important to have healthy relationships. This includes friendships as well as relationships with our family. It may be difficult to talk to parents or siblings, because it may seem as though they don't understand. Teens tend to think that with family who reside in the same household. News flash! What you are experiencing is not new. Most teenagers have and probably will experience everything that you are. Try to talk to your aunts or cousins if you have that option. Believe it or not, your family wants your teen years to be healthy and happy. Studies show teenagers who have healthy family relationships are more likely to become successful in their adult lives.

Try joining school activities, volunteering with community projects, joining a sports team, participating in a musical group or whatever brings out your best. These will help you to meet new friends and build encouragement. Exercising is also a way of relieving stress and having fun. Teens who isolate themselves are more likely to abuse drugs or alcohol. Being involved in various activities will help you maintain a positive self esteem. This will also help with building social skills. Unrealistic expectations can also affect your self esteem. Remember you're not perfect, no one is! Continue to try new things and take mistakes as learning experiences.

Self-esteem plays a role in almost everything you do. Teens with high self-esteem usually do better in school and find it easier to make friends. They tend to have better relationships with peers and adults, feel happier, find it easier to deal with mistakes, disappointments and failures and more likely to stick with something until they succeed. It takes some work to develop good self-esteem, but once you do it's a skill you'll have for life.