How to Handle Gossip About Yourself as a Teen in High School

Gossip is one of the most damaging things that can happen to a person no matter who they are or what age they are. It can be much more damaging to a teen in high school though. Nasty rumors seem to easily get started in high school. Some of the rumors may be true and others pure lies made up to hurt someone. In any case, rumors should never occur in the first place. When they do occur, it is important that you learn how to handle gossip about yourself as a teen in high school.

How to handle gossip about yourself as a teen in high school:

Hearing the Gossip- When you hear gossip about yourself, it can make you angry and it makes you want to lash out at someone. That is the worst thing that you can do. Lashing out will only get your suspended. You know the truth so if it is a lie, you have nothing to worry about because you know that the rumor has no base in fact. If it is a truth, you may feel a bit different about it. Whether you feel like crying or hitting something, you don't want the rumor starter to know they go to you. Go to the bathroom or find another place that you can be alone in order to process what happened. This will give you time to calm down and gather your emotions.

Dispelling the Gossip- If the gossip isn't based on truth and someone asks you about it, tell them the truth without getting too defensive about it. The problem with rumors is that some people will always believe them no matter how far out of whack they are. You know the truth and your true friends know the truth. That is all that will truly matter in the end. Gossip doesn't just happen when you are a teen in high school. There will always be cruel and vicious people to deal with. The key to dispelling the rumor is to act according to your own life guidelines. Don't let the rumor get you too upset for too long. Don't exclaim too loudly of your innocence even though you are. This only makes people think that you are trying to cover up what you did.

Remember it will Pass- The most important thing to keep in mind concerning rumors about yourself as a teen in high school is that it will pass. There will be a new rumor and within days, the rumor about you will die down. Look it straight in the face and move forward. If you move forward and away from the rumor, others will too.

Hold your Head High- Keep your head high and your spirits as well. Never let a rumor, whether based in truth or not, make you hang your head in shame. Sometimes the key to getting the rumor to die down is to make it appear that it doesn't bother you. Let other people know that you are proud of who you are and it doesn't bother you if they don't agree with you.

Don't Feed into it- When you don't feed into the gossip that is being spread about you, people lose the pleasure in doing it. Gossip is usually a way for people to hurt someone. The more they hurt you, the more they want to hurt you. You have control over that. Don't fan the flames by responding to the gossip with anything more than telling the truth when someone asks you and holding your head high so that you take away the pleasure of the gossiper.

Gossip is vicious by nature whether it is true or not. It can make your high school life miserable for a while. It does die down eventually and people will likely forget about it or at least let it go. Until they get bored with the gossip, handle it with grace. Don't get into a physical altercation over something that won't matter in a few days.