When I was younger, my dad got a new job, which meant I started a new school at the beginning of Year 7. The challenge? I didn't know anyone, and my self-esteem took a hit because of it. As you can imagine, I found it tough. I gravitated towards the boys who seemed to have all the answers and sometimes made up stories to impress people, yet I still felt lost in terms of where I fitted in.
Then one day, something unexpected happened. I helped a teacher with a task, and as a reward, I received something called a merit, I felt like I’d won a Nobel Prize.
More importantly, it gave me purpose and contributed to my growing self-esteem. It provided me with something positive to focus on. Looking back, I realise I could have spent more time enjoying teenage life or worrying less about fitting in, but helping others instilled in me a sense of belonging that I had been desperately searching for. Those small moments were the start of something much larger.
Fast forward to the past five years, and I've been exploring that sense of purpose again through coaching and counselling, specifically as a teen self-esteem coach. The greatest privilege isn't having all the answers. It's about walking alongside others, helping them find their own, and witnessing the progress they achieve. Being a teenage life coach has allowed me to empower young people, focusing on teen coaching that builds their self-esteem and helps them thrive.