Teenage Dirtbag Diaries: Balancing Friends, Grades, and My Baby Aesthetic

Hey SpaceHey fam, it’s ya girl, just another teenage dirtbag trying to navigate the chaos of high school, friendship. Life’s a wild mix of late-night study sessions, occasional hangouts with my crew, and curating my baby aesthetic wardrobe while blasting indie tunes. Here’s a peek into how I juggle it all (and sometimes drop the ball, lol).

The Friend Struggle Is Real

Okay, so my friends are my everything, but we don’t get to hang out as much as I’d like. Between school, homework, and everyone’s schedules, it’s like we’re all playing a game of catch-up. When we do link up its like, laughing until we can’t breathe, and sharing dumb TikToks at someone’s house. We usually hit up a local coffee shop or just vibe in someone’s basement. Those moments recharge me, but they’re rare, ya know?

The hard part? Feeling left out when I see them posting on Insta without me. It’s not shade,they’re just living their lives,but it stings when I’m stuck at home cramming for a chem test. I’ve learned to cope by texting them goofy memes or planning our next hangout. Pro tip: scheduling a lowkey movie night or thrift store run keeps the connection tight without needing to sync up every weekend.

Grades: The Eternal Grind

Speaking of chem tests, balancing school with everything else is like walking a tightrope. I’m not a straight-A student, but I try hard to keep my grades decent. It’s tough when you’re up until 2 a.m. finishing essays or memorizing answers, I’ve got this ritual where i just drag my ass over to the tableand listen to my playlists, Indie music is my lifeline; it keeps me focused but also feels like a hug for my brain.

My biggest hack? my very own technique, but make it cute. I set a timer for 25 minutes, blast artic monkeys or vacations, and reward myself with a quick scroll through SpaceHey or a snack (hello, gummy bears). It’s not perfect, but it keeps me from burning out. Also, shouting out to my teachers who don’t pile on too much homework,y’all are the real MVPs.

Fashion: My baggy jeans and tees/shirts 

Now, let’s talk fashion, ‘cause it’s my escape from the stress. I’m obsessed with the my clothes,think soft pastels, baggy jeans, oversized tees, and thrifted button-up shirts. I love pairing high-waisted baggy jeans with a cropped pastel tee or a flowy, unbuttoned flannel shirt tied at the waist. Add some chunky sneakers. It’s like dressing like a dreamy indie album cover, and I’m here for it.

Thrifting is my go-to for building this vibe on a budget. I hit up local thrift stores or Depop for vintage tees and flowy dresses, then customize them with iron-on patches or embroidery (badly, but it’s the effort that counts). The struggle? Finding pieces that fit my vibe and my wallet. Fast fashion’s tempting, but I try to stick to secondhand to keep it sustainable. Also, my mom’s always like, “Why do you dress like a toddler from the 90s?” and I’m just like, “It’s a lifestyle, Mom.”

Music ties it all together. I’m always hunting for new indie bands—think Soccer Mommy, Snail Mail, or Alvvays—and their dreamy, lo-fi vibes inspire my outfits. I’ll throw on a baby pink beret and pretend I’m in a music video while walking to school. It’s my way of coping with the chaos—look cute, feel cute, right?

The Emotional Rollercoaster

Being a teenage girl is a lot. Some days I feel on top of the world, like when I ace a quiz or my bestie sends me a heartfelt voice memo. Other days, I’m overthinking everything—why didn’t I get invited to that party? Why do I feel like my aesthetic isn’t “cool” enough? Indie music helps me process it all. Songs like Boygenius’s “Not Strong Enough” hit me right in the feels, like they get my messy, dirtbag heart.

I’ve learned to give myself grace. I can’t be at every hangout, and my grades don’t define me. My baby aesthetic? It’s not about being perfectt,it’s about feeling like me. I keep a journal  to scribble down my thoughts or lyrics that hit hard. It’s like therapy, but cheaper.

Final Thoughts

So yeah, being a teenage dirtbag is messy, but it’s my messy. I’m learning to balance my squad, my schoolwork, and my love for baggy jeans and indie bangers. To anyone else out there feeling like they’re juggling too much: you’re not alone. Blast some music, throw on your favorite thrifted sweater, and keep vibing. We’ll figure it out together.

Drop your fave indie bands or baggy jeans combo in the comments! I’m always down to discover new music or fashion inspo.