Real Stories Real Support

This post shares anonymous responses collected during our in-school Big Sister Advice event. The event was created as a space for open reflection and honest conversation about girlhood, growing up, and the things we often wish someone had told us sooner.

During the event, participants were invited to respond to written prompts such as “Something I wish was normalized about growing up is…” and “One thing I’d tell my younger self about girlhood is…”. Responses were shared voluntarily and anonymously, allowing people to be open without fear of judgment or pressure.

The reflections shared below come directly from that day. They represent real experiences, personal insights, and moments of honesty offered to support others who may be feeling the same way. By preserving these responses in this space, we hope they continue to remind readers that many of the thoughts and challenges we carry are shared—and that no one is alone in…

Growing up and dealing with all the changes that come with being a teenage girl is hard enough. Now add societal pressure to be perfect and jealous "friends" who tear you down. This is what I dealt with—feelings like loneliness, fear for the future, and low self-esteem as a teenager. I was called "too try-hard," "too small," "too much," "too quiet." In public, I felt as though I couldn't be my true self, hiding who I was for fear of judgement. As I grew, this self-consciousness seemed to simply stretch alongside me. The names I was called (and that I called myself) shape shifted along with whatever my life looked like.

However, my life took a turn when I was diagnosed with a seemingly incurable and debilitating chronic illness. Suddenly the self-conciousness was no longer my biggest problem. Through my hardship, I gained perspective. I learned that most of the…

Welcome to our group Real Stories Real Support! A space for us to connect and share with each other. Feel free to share your story anonymously and receive advice back from our community :)