Reflection on Puberty

By: Lyka Alyssa Mae N. Monte

BSEd English 1

As I was once a teenager, I have come to certain findings based on my familiarities as I have
walked down the path of puberty. There are several changes I have faced that had changed the
rest of my life. It has changed me not just physically but also socially and mentally. I have
encountered several physical changes that became my advantages and disadvantages in life.
My height rapidly changed and my body figure developed, which was all a good improvement. I
understood how to socialize with people the same age as mine. I have developed distinct likes
and dislikes, and I was becoming sexually aware and sexually mature. I have made friends and
built relations as I am in the stage where socializing is significant.

However, insecurities have also been very frequent. When I experienced puberty, hairs from my
armpits, my sexual parts, and my legs started to grow, I eventually have a body smell, stretch
marks covered my behind, pimples and acne began to appear on my face from time to time, and
I started to gain weight. As a woman in this cruel society, I felt so terrible about my physical
appearance. As the rest of the people started to criticize the impression of my physical self, I
began to hate who I was as an individual. I started to lose confidence and self-respect which
were two of the most significant things I should have as a person. All of the physical change has
also altered my mental state. There were times I was happy when I became taller and my voice
got very well-modulated. I was proud of my singing voice. However, I have faced a traumatic
experience when someone went up to me and said “No one will ever love you because of how
you look”. As a teenager, I took that sentence very tough and for a lengthy period. It has
changed my view in life, that people will accept and love you for the refinement of your physical
appearance. But not anymore.

As puberty takes a long period, there are particular realizations that I have made along the way.
After several inspirations and a brighter view of life, I have come to acknowledge the changes I
had since puberty. I have accepted that I will never be able to perfect the changes I got and I will
never be a flawless individual with a spotless, fair, and hairless body. I am still in the middle of
loving myself and even if there may be supplementary changes in my life since I am still
developing, I will learn to love and accept that have yet to arrive. I can assure you that what I
have understood in Puberty was that there are changes that will influence every aspect of our
existence even if these changes may only be physical as we grow up and become adults. It is
our task to take care of the transitions and to have better well-being, not to mention the
acknowledgment and even the self-respect that we all deserve from ourselves.