Today, my dear girl, we’re going to talk about some very important matters.
You’re already 10 years old, and everyone around you is amazed at how much you’ve grown! You’ve probably noticed that your dresses and skirts seem to be getting shorter lately. And in general, something strange is happening to you; sometimes you don’t even know whether to laugh or cry, and you’ve started to notice some pimples on your face that are causing you a lot of trouble. It’s curious that they appeared just when you started worrying about whether you’re beautiful or not. Is that why you often feel down and want to cry? Just yesterday, you had a fight with your best friend over something trivial, and now your eyes are all teary. And you’ve been acting out with your grandmother too…
Don’t cry, sweetheart; there’s nothing surprising about how you feel. You’re simply saying goodbye to childhood and entering a stage of life known as adolescence. I say “entering,” which is why this age is referred to as “transitional.” It will help you to understand what’s happening to you right now.
“Transitional age” is associated with many changes in your body, primarily related to the activity of the endocrine glands. Your bones, especially in your arms and legs, are growing rapidly, and your muscles are strengthening. However, your heart and blood vessels are developing more slowly. In two to three years, your body will start functioning harmoniously, and your proportions will become perfect. That’s when you’ll transform from an awkward duckling into a beautiful swan. For now, you’ll have to accept the pimples, the long legs, and the emotional ups and downs. But I advise you to keep your composure and not let yourself go. No rudeness or impatience! You’re already mature enough to control your actions and understand that your rudeness harms not only those around you but also yourself. You definitely feel it when you act out and upset your loved ones.
I’ve already mentioned that “transitional age” is a period of sexual maturation. This means that soon you will start your menstrual cycle. Remember a few tips regarding your personal hygiene.
During this time, you should never take baths or swim in bodies of water, but you should take a shower at room temperature once or twice a day. Every girl should have her own towel, which should be dried well after use and stored in a clean plastic bag.
Don’t forget to change your underwear daily. During these days, you can still do morning exercises, handle household chores, and go to school. Just avoid anything that involves heavy physical exertion—no running, jumping, biking, etc. And definitely don’t let yourself get too cold; this can lead to inflammatory processes.
Admit it, hasn’t your mom told you something similar? And you brushed off her advice, thinking it was all an exaggeration… Remember: it’s better to be cautious than to spend years dealing with health issues, or worse—become disabled for life. I see girls in my practice with inflammations and bleeding that could have been avoided if they hadn’t ignored the advice of their elders. Believe me, my heart sinks when I see girls going out in freezing weather wearing thin tights; I know it won’t end well for them.
Make sure your waistband and bra aren’t too tight, as this not only makes it hard to breathe properly but also affects your figure—and you want to be attractive. And here’s one rule to remember for life: your clothes should always be clean, well-pressed, and neat, with a preference for natural fabrics. Synthetic materials can hinder your body’s ability to breathe freely. Pay attention to your posture; it’s not just about aesthetics; it also has physiological significance, as it ensures better functioning of your internal organs.
By the way, do you know how to eat properly? Surprised at what that means? Here’s how: try to eat at the same times every day, four times a day. And follow the wise advice of our ancestors: “Eat breakfast yourself, share lunch with a friend, and give dinner to your enemy.”
Adolescence is often called the “time of maturation”—and I can’t disagree. You’ve grown not only physically but also morally. That’s why adults have higher expectations of you than before, and you should hold yourself to stricter standards as well. Don’t let yourself go. This advice applies not only to your relationships with your parents, friends, neighbors, and teachers—there’s a new aspect to your character: you’re making friends with girls, but you’re also becoming more interested in boys. One of them even catches your eye. You think you might love him… Don’t rush; love is still ahead of you, but you need to learn how to be friends with guys. After all, in a family, friendship and communication are the main forces that help two people maintain their feelings and mutual understanding.