Teens' insights on what works, what doesn’t, and how they find and create inspiration in daily life

Having a growth mindset means that you’re always looking to grow and change. But is that reasonable all the time? And how can we grow when faced with challenges? We spoke with teens and got their insights on what works, what doesn’t, and how they find and create inspiration in daily life.

Fraidy, 17:

It’s very important to always want to grow but you also have to know that it’s not always going to happen. Be hungry for growth but don’t be disappointed every time you fail. Not growing from an experience doesn’t mean you’re failing! There’s something to learn from the moments when you don’t change. Why was it so hard then? What about you makes it so tough to find that growth in that situation?

So how do you have a growth mindset? Go into each situation and try to take just one small thing out of it. It’s like when there’s a Yom Iyun in school. You can’t take every part of what you hear and try to be inspired, or you’ll be overwhelmed and lose it all. Better to pick one bit that means something to you and let it change you.

Tzippy G., 15:

I have a friend who reads Living Emunah on the daily. Something like that brings you closer to Hashem and helps you through hard times by inspiring you. Sometimes inspiration is just for that moment. But sometimes it resonates, and you can take it with you through your life by going back to it and reading it over and over again.