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The Step Up Blog
Tips, Tools & Real Talk for Teens and Families
Welcome to The Step Up Blog, where we share bite-sized inspiration and practical tools to support teens and families on their journey.
From emotional wellness tips inspired by Retain Your Brain, to family connection ideas from Together We Can, and real-world life hacks from the Survival Program, this is your go-to space for encouragement, resources, and fresh perspectives.
Whether you're a parent looking for new ways to engage or a teen searching for real talk on life skills and mental wellness, there’s something here for you.
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Why It’s Okay to Fail and How to Learn from It
Written By: Gianna Matta Published By: November 14, 2025 Why It’s Okay to Fail and How to Learn from It Failure doesn’t mean you’re not good enough—it means you’re growing . Whether it’s a test you didn’t pass, a job you didn’t get, or a plan that didn’t work out, failure is something we all face. The difference between staying stuck and moving forward is what you learn from it. 1. Failure Helps You Grow Every mistake teaches you something new—about your strengths, limits,
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9 hours ago2 min read
What Labels Do I Wear—And Which Ones Do I Want to Let Go Of?
Written By: Gianna Matta Published: October 27, 2025 From the moment we’re born, labels start to attach themselves to us daughter, student, friend, hardworking, shy, strong, or even too emotional. Some labels empower us, while others quietly hold us back.As we grow, it’s worth asking: Which labels truly define me and which ones do I want to let go of? Step 1: Recognize the Labels You’ve Picked Up We don’t always choose our labels sometimes they’re given to us. Family, sc
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Oct 282 min read
Who Am I Becoming? Journaling Your Personal Growth
Written By: Gianna Matta Published: October 16,2025 Who Am I Becoming? Journaling Your Personal Growth Have you ever stopped to ask yourself, “Who am I becoming?” It’s one of those questions that hits deep not just about who you are today, but who you’re growing into . The truth is, we’re all constantly changing. Sometimes that change happens quietly, and other times it feels like the whole world is shifting under our feet. That’s where journaling comes in not just as a hob
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Oct 162 min read
What Your Anger Is Telling You
Written By: Gianna Matta Published: October 8, 2025 Everyone feels angry sometimes it’s a normal emotion. But instead of seeing anger as...
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Oct 82 min read
Practicing Assertiveness at School, at Home, and Online
Written By: Gianna Matta Published: September 24, 2025 Being assertive means standing up for yourself respectfully and clearly, without...
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Sep 241 min read
Confidence Boosters That Don’t Feel Cringey
Written By: Gianna Matta September 17, 2025 Confidence is important, but let’s be real. Some advice out there can feel awkward or even...
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Sep 171 min read
Managing Peer Pressure While Staying True to Your Values
Written By: Gianna Matta Published: September 10, 2025 Peer pressure is something every teen faces, whether it’s about what you wear, how...
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Sep 101 min read
Why Believing in Yourself Actually Works
Published: August 15, 2025 Written By: Abigail Ellis Let’s talk about something that can seriously level up your life— your mindset....
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Aug 153 min read
Conflict Resolution Skills for Teens
By: Madelynn Streby Published: February 9, 2025 Let’s be real: no one really likes being in conflict. Some people find it easier to start...
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Feb 93 min read
Tools for Calming Your Mind and Body
By: Jackie Sortino Published: February 5, 2025 Life can feel overwhelming sometimes, can’t it? Whether it’s juggling school assignments,...
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Feb 54 min read
Standing Up for Yourself in a Healthy Way
By: Maia Tasker Published: January 31, 2025 Ever had one of those "wish I said that" moments? You know, when someone cuts in line or your...
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Jan 313 min read
How to Support Friends Going Through Tough Times
By: Elany Alvarez Published: January 27, 2025 Personal Experience and Insights I remember a time when one of my closest friends went...
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Jan 272 min read
Four Benefits of Breathing Exercises
By: Angela Echevarria Published: January 17. 2025 When you hear people talk about coping skills, deep breathing or breathing exercises...
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Jan 172 min read
Seven Ways to Build Confidence and Courage
Written by: Angela Echevarria Published: December 13, 2024 Building confidence and courage as a teenager can feel impossible sometimes....
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Dec 13, 20243 min read
Five Tips on Handling Criticism with Confidence and Grace
Written by: Angela Echevarria Published: December 4, 2024 Learning how to receive constructive criticism without taking it personally is...
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Dec 4, 20243 min read
Finding Your Voice: How to Express Yourself Assertively, Not Passive-Aggressively
By: Jacquelyn Sortino Published: November 22, 2024 Being a teenager today can feel like standing at the edge of a whirlwind, with social...
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Nov 22, 20244 min read
Developing a Healthy Mindset for Academic Success
Written by: Maia Tasker Published: November 20, 2024 Picture this: you’re sitting at your desk, staring at your notes, and the pressure...
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Nov 20, 20243 min read
Simple Tips for Staying Calm in Stressful Situations
Written by: Maia Tasker Published: November 8, 2024 Imagine you're standing at the edge of a stage, heart racing, palms sweaty, and the...
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Nov 8, 20243 min read
Managing peer pressure and staying true to yourself!
By: Angela Echevarria Published: November 6, 2024 Human beings are such interesting creatures. We are social animals and like group...
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Nov 6, 20243 min read
How to Express Emotions in a Healthy Way
By Angela Echevarria Published October 23, 2024 Have you ever lashed out at someone over an unrelated problem? Do you ever lose control...
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Oct 23, 20245 min read
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