Why This Post
Being an OC teen is fun, but it’s not always easy. In this post, I’m sharing what some of my clients say about life as a teenager in Orange County. I’ve taken pieces of their stories and turned them into one voice—a fictional OC teen sharing their experience. This way, you can get a better sense of what it’s really like growing up here. I hope it helps you connect with your own teen and understand how they feel a little bit better.
Life for OC Teens
I’m a 13-year-old girl. I go to middle school, do homework, play sports, and go to church. Middle school is tough—there’s a lot of homework, and people are doing a bunch of new things. Some of those things are good, and some definitely aren’t. I also have a little brother I fight with a lot, but deep down I really care about him.
Why I Love Being an OC Teen
I love hanging out with my friends. We joke around and do silly things—like one time we got ice cream and yelled at cars to honk. It sounds silly, but it was really fun. I also love playing tennis. It’s one of my favorite things to do. But most of all, I love going to church. Not a lot of people I know go, but I really enjoy learning about Jesus and seeing my friends there. It’s one of the times I feel totally happy. When I wonder if I need to act differently to fit in, I remember the only thing that really matters is what Jesus thinks of me.
Why Being an OC Teen is Hard
I want to fit in and be popular, but it feels like the harder I try, the less cool I am. Sometimes I wonder if being cool means being mean, breaking rules, or having a boyfriend. At church, my pastor says being cool doesn’t matter—and I believe him—but it’s still hard to stop wanting that. A lot of kids are doing things I think are wrong, and the Bible says is wrong. Am I weird for not joining in? What if they’re having fun and I’m missing out?
Pressures OC Teens Face
I feel like I must be the best at tennis, have the best grades, and have the coolest clothes. And these are just a few of the pressures I face as an OC teen. I can’t just be good at something; I have to be the best.
Having the Best Grades
I get straight As, but that just makes it worse. Now I expect myself to get As. If I get a C on a test, I feel like everyone will be disappointed in me.
Being Good at Sports
I also feel like I have to keep getting better at tennis. I think if I could just improve one part of my game—like my serve—then I’d finally feel like I’m good enough at tennis. But there’s always something else to work on. How important are sports anyway? I’m not going pro; I’m just doing tennis for fun. But then why do I feel so pressured to do well?
Cool Clothes
Fashion changes so fast. Just when I get something cool, it’s not cool anymore. How much do other people’s opinions matter to me?
Wrapping Up
I hope you enjoyed reading from the perspective of an OC teen. My therapy office is located in Mission Viejo (a city in Orange County), so I wrote this post mainly about OC teens. However, these are joys, struggles, and pressures all teens face. So, what should we learn from how teens feel?
What Should We Learn from This
Let your teen have fun—but keep them safe. Talk to them about the choices they face and what the right decisions are, like whether or not to drink or do drugs. Support them when they’re struggling to fit in or feel overwhelmed by school or sports. These things matter, but they shouldn’t be too much. Most importantly, love your teen, listen to them, and help guide them through the ups and downs.
Helping teens grow and families improve connection,
