Unlocking Your Brain's Power: Why Your Teenage Years Are Your Superpower

Sep 29, 2024

4 min read

The Adolescent Brain: Understanding Your Brain's Power

It was a bright Saturday afternoon, and the park was alive with energy. I had just landed my skateboard trick—well, almost. It wasn’t perfect, but man, it felt amazing! My friend caught the whole thing on video, and the rush of excitement and adrenaline pumped through me as I watched it back. I couldn't wait to show it to my mom later. There's something about nailing that trick, the freedom of skating, the music blasting in my ears—it’s like every thrill is worth the risk.

But I often wonder, Why do I feel so alive? Why does everything feel like it’s moving a hundred miles an hour? Well, here’s something I recently learned: It’s not just me—it’s my brain.

What’s Actually Happening in My Brain?

As teenagers, our brains are going through an incredible transformation, and it’s pretty fascinating when you really think about it. According to Dr. Dan Siegel, a leading expert on adolescent development, what we often hear about adolescence—stuff like "raging hormones" or “being crazy”—isn't just wrong, it's misleading. It gives teenagers a bad reputation when, in reality, adolescence is this incredible time of opportunity and growth. The truth is, our brains are remodeling in ways that can make us better, more creative, and more connected people.

Two Big Changes in Your Brain

Here’s the deal: two major things are happening in your brain right now that you can actually use to help yourself grow in ways you might not even realize.

Pruning: Imagine your brain as a tree that’s been growing tons of branches and leaves during childhood. Those branches are like connections in your brain—called synapses—that help you learn all kinds of stuff. But now, as a teenager, your brain starts to prune itself. It’s like trimming away the branches you don’t need, so your brain can focus on the things that matter most to you.
What does this mean for you? Well, now is the time to focus on things you love—whether it's skateboarding, music, art, sports, or anything else you're passionate about. Because if you don’t use those skills and interests, your brain will trim them away. The saying “use it or lose it” is real when it comes to your brain.
Myelination: This one’s really cool. Your brain is also adding something called myelin to your neurons, which helps the connections between them work faster and more efficiently. Think of myelin as a high-speed internet upgrade for your brain—everything starts moving faster and more smoothly. This means your brain is getting better at focusing and learning. If you practice something you’re passionate about, your brain will get way better at it, like leveling up in a video game.

Why Does Everything Feel So Intense?

You might be wondering, “Okay, so my brain’s pruning and speeding up—why do I feel everything so much?” That’s because the part of your brain responsible for emotions—the amygdala—is firing on all cylinders. Your emotional experiences are amplified, which is why landing a skate trick feels like the best thing ever, and small problems can sometimes feel like the end of the world.

The key is learning to manage these intense emotions and use them to your advantage. And guess what? You can. Dr. Siegel talks about something called neuroplasticity, which means that what you do with your mind—like how you handle your thoughts and emotions—can actually change the structure of your brain. You have the power to shape your brain based on your experiences, which means how you focus your attention and the activities you engage in now will literally shape who you become.

How Can I Use This to My Advantage?

Focus on What You Love: Remember that "use it or lose it" principle? If you love skateboarding, music, coding, art—whatever it is—do more of it. The more you practice and engage in these activities, the stronger those brain connections become.
Take Control of Your Emotions: It’s normal to feel like your emotions are all over the place sometimes. But learning how to handle them can actually help your brain grow. Practices like mindfulness, deep breathing, or simply talking to someone you trust can help you manage those big emotions in a healthy way.
Be Kind and Compassionate: Dr. Siegel says that when your brain is well-integrated (meaning it’s balanced and connected), it leads to kindness and compassion. In other words, the more you work on understanding yourself and connecting with others, the better you’ll feel. Relationships and friendships become more meaningful because you’re truly connecting on a deeper level. And here’s the thing: compassion and kindness are not just good for the people around you—they actually make you feel happier, too.

Why This Matters

Adolescence is a time of incredible growth, both physically and mentally. You’re not just becoming more independent; your brain is transforming into something more specialized, more efficient, and more capable of handling complex thoughts and emotions. It’s an exciting time, and while it can feel overwhelming at times, remember that you are in control of your development.

Take advantage of this time to build the skills, interests, and connections that matter to you. Whether it's nailing a new skate trick, playing guitar, or just figuring out who you are—what you focus on now will shape the person you become.

And the best part? This transformation in your brain doesn’t stop after adolescence. You’ll keep growing and changing, but right now, you have an incredible opportunity to lay the foundation for your future.

So, as Dan Siegel says, if you want to sing out, sing out. And if you want to be free, be free!