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Why do girls in my grade still talk bad about me behind my back when I don’t hang out with them or even talk to them?
There are so many answers to this question, but none of them will give you closure. Maybe one of them is having issues at home, maybe one is a little jealous of you, maybe one is having issues with themselves, or maybe it is just the nature of teenage girls or even humans. It is pointless to try and figure out why people talk behind your back, and there is never going to really be an answer as to why people do it.
It seems like here you are doing all you can do – distancing yourself from the situation. Live your life, and if they talk about it then that’s just sad for them. They are taking their time to talk about you while you don’t seem to care at all about them. Don’t let some girls whom you will probably never see again in a few years let you feel bad about yourself or take valuable time from you.
I really like your style and I wanted to know what/who you take inspiration from. Is fashion something you want to continue to focus on in college, and what brands are your favorite?
This is so flattering—thank you! Honestly, I’ve been putting almost no effort into my style lately thanks to senioritis; I just haven’t cared much about how I look at school. That said, something that’s actually helped me put my style together more recently is making Pinterest boards. I’ve been saving outfit ideas that include pieces I already own, and it’s been a game-changer. It helps me see new ways to wear what I already have, and it’s also helped me refine my personal style.
For example, if I notice that a bunch of outfits I’m pinning feature a certain style of skirt, I know that if I want to buy one, I should look for something similar—because I’m actually drawn to it and more likely to wear it.
I don’t really take inspiration from people as much as I do from brands, since I feel like a lot of influencers follow trends rather than having a distinct personal style. Some of the brands I love are Alice and Olivia, Zadig & Voltaire, A.L.C., and Mother—but I usually shop consignment or vintage to find their pieces. Style-wise, I pull a lot of inspiration from Sex and the City (all of the characters), Marissa Cooper from The O.C., runway looks from Isabel Marant and Chloé, and off-duty model vibes.
As for influencers I do like:
Instagram: @tatiananassour, @veronaj, @alicemrz
TikTok: @isaduffyy, @ellabellablueee, @isabaileyy, @bevodonoghue2
I’m planning to study business in college, but I’m definitely open to exploring something in fashion. The industry is super competitive and doesn’t always pay well, so I’m not totally sure it’s what I’ll end up doing—but who knows!
What should I do about a crush?
A crush is super innocent, and it doesn’t need to be pursued with intense energy or pressure, just see where it goes. Start small: say hi when you see them, spark a few casual conversations, and try to find some common interests.
I also recommend keeping a little mystery at first—don’t reveal everything right away. That way, as you get to know them better, you can figure out whether you actually like them or if it was more of a surface-level thing.
When it comes to crushes or “situationships,” my best advice is to fail fast. If it’s not going anywhere, don’t get too caught up in what could’ve been, what you did wrong, or even their flaws. Just take it as a learning experience: think about what you liked, what didn’t work, and what you might do differently next time—and then move on. There’s always a next time!
How do I branch out if I feel like everyone already has assumptions about me?
At a small school, where pretty much everyone knows each other, this is hard because people have ideas about other people that may not even be true or maybe are frankly a little outdated. Just try to talk to as many people as possible and do not be shy to put yourself out there so people can see the real you!
So much change happens in high school: friendships switch, people move, and you never know who you might find yourself being friends with! Keep an open mind to everyone, and you will be surprised at how different most people are than you expect.