No one wants to think she’s a mean girl. But everyone knows a mean girl, right? So who are these mean girls.
The answer is, we all are—at one time or another. Have you ever spread a rumor? Teased someone? Excluded a friend? It’s okay to admit it—and it doesn’t make you a terrible person. It just means you’re human, and sometimes you make mistakes.
Being “mean” is a behavior, not a personality trait. That’s good news, because it means you can change it. If you can figure out why you’re acting that way, you can choose a better way to be.
Here’s how to nip mean-girl behaviors in the bud with some quick thinking.
“Just Kidding!”
Grace just got another new pair of jeans, while you’re stuck with the same old, same old. You say, “Wow, that must be like your thirtieth new pair this year....just kidding!”
Almost as soon as the words are out of your mouth, you realize you’ve hurt Grace’s feelings. Before you do anything else, ask yourself what you’re feeling. Are you jealous of what Grace has? Or are you feeling left out, like you’re the only girl who doesn’t have those jeans?
Whatever your feelings, try to acknowledge and accept them.It’s okay to feel envious, but it’s not okay to hurt someone to make yourself feel better. Besides, it doesn’t even work—in the end, you’ll just feel worse. Even if Grace laughs it off, you’ll both know there’s tension between you.
This story is from the June-July2016 edition of DISCOVERY GIRLS.
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This story is from the June-July2016 edition of DISCOVERY GIRLS.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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