Do you still wear your varsity jacket out even if it's a little snug around the shoulders? How about treating everything from accomplishments to conversations like a competition? Have you ever cyber-stalked your high school sweetheart and felt steam come out of years because they don't know what they're missing having moved on to you?
If you answered 'yes' to all or even one of these questions, you probably peaked in high school. Now, there's nothing necessarily wrong with having fond memories of high school. However, you shouldn't let those memories control you until it feels like you're living in a one-person time loop.
There's an unfortunate stereotype that people who peaked in high school will never go on to accomplish anything. It's unfortunate, but it doesn't have to be true. Let's dig into some other behaviors that signal peaking in high school.
You're Obsessed With Popularity
We're going to let you in on a little secret: popularity doesn't exist in the real world. Cliques and queen bees are only things of high school hallways and movies aimed at teens. While being prom queen or captain of the football team may have meant the world to you, it doesn't mean anything to your adult peers.
This isn't to say that these achievements—or anything you achieved as a teenager—don't matter. The mean the world to you when high school is the axis on which your universe spins. But, sometimes you have to dream a little bigger than a wall full of varsity trophies.
Popularity is a made-up way for teens to be cruel to one another. It isn't based on anything meaningful—not merit, or talent, or kindness—just physical appearance. And, as you should know, looks aren't everything.
This preoccupation with popularity leads to judgemental behavior. People who peaked in high school often replicate cliquey behavior in the adult world, belittling others so perceived "nerdy" interests. It also creates a false equivalency where conventional beauty directly correlates to someone's worth as a person.
Your Taste In Media Is Unchanged
Let's move onto something a little lighter. If you're still stuck in high school, your taste probably is too. While this doesn't hurt other people, it may be harming your intellectual development.
Nobody is saying that there's no value in rewatching your favorite movie from sophomore year or put those HoCo party tracks on your gym playlist. These things may be intrinsically tied to some of the happiest moments of your life. But that isn't the case for everyone.
Tastes change over time. Maybe there's a reason why nobody lets you get the aux cord on the road trip or why your friends stop laughing once you show them that stoner comedy for the third time. There's a whole other world of books, movies, and music out there. Aren't you a little bit curious?
You Refuse To Take Things Seriously
In high school, especially if you were one of the coveted popular kids, the worst thing that could happen was being grounded or sent to the principal's office. In the real world, adult actions have adult consequences. We're not trying to be depressing, but we're being realistic.
Not taking things seriously can take many forms. Maybe you still club-hop and drink every weekend—even when your body's sending you warning signs. Maybe you feel the need to undercut every moment of sincerity with a quip. Or, maybe you refuse to take responsibility for your actions.
It's easy to feel invincible in high school because you're still a kid. Not only are you still learning to navigate the world, but you (ideally) have a safety net in the form of a loving family who will catch you when you fall. However, the training wheels need to come off sometime.
Sooner or later, there will come a situation that you can't talk or network your way out of. When that time comes, you're in for a harsh reality check. Part of being an adult is knowing how to own up and work past your mistakes.
You're an adult. You've been one for far longer than you were in high school, even if you flunked a grade. Act like one.
