How NOT to End up Like Lindsay Lohan
Have you followed the news recently and seen the drama of the former child star, Lindsay Lohan? From eating disorders to drug possession and even shoplifting, this child star has been through a whirlwind of legal infractions. Her latest newsworthy exploit was being released from her shoplifting prison sentence, after a matter of only a few hours.Most people look upon Lindsay Lohan's shenanigans with a critical eye. They completely ignore the fact that she was faced pressures from a young age that the general population will never have to deal with, even as adults. Imagine millions of people criticizing the way you dress, the things you say, and how good you look on a daily basis. There are few people who could possibly handle that pressure, and there are even fewer that actually do.
Here are some things to consider/avoid if you don't want to end up like Lindsay Lohan:
Avoid judgmental friends. By definition, a friend is someone who supports you in rough times and helps you become a better person. You help them resolve their problems, and they help you in turn. One of the mistakes that Lindsay as well as many lay-persons make is surrounding themselves with “friends” that aren't true friends. If someone doesn't make you feel good about yourself, no matter how much they claim they care about you, get out, and get out fast!
Don't become a public figure. Did you dream of becoming famous when you were little? It's such a great dream to want to make a difference in the world, and be a public figure. But what children, and even most adults, don't realize is that fame can damage your personal relationships and alter your perspective on life. If you want to live a good life and help people, there's nothing wrong with doing it on a smaller, more local scale. The reputation for celebrities, or other public figures, to regularly participate in damaging behavior is all the evidence you need to show that being famous isn't all it's cracked up to be. Most people aren't famous because they can't be. Why don't you try not being famous because you don't WANT to be!
Practice self-control. One of the reasons that Lindsay has had so many problems with eating disorders and drug use is that she has let her self-control run free. A common occurrence with child actors is that they start to feel a sense of entitlement, meaning that they are above other people and don't need to practice control. As a youth, it's easy to let this go to your head. Parents have a responsibility to teach their children how to wait and work for things they want. Young celebrities often miss out on these important training moments.
In conclusion, if you don't want to start becoming a danger to yourself, stay away from the lights of Hollywood or the music industry. Being famous is a culture in itself, and it's a culture that doesn't lead to very healthy personalities or relationships. If Lindsay Lohan had never made it into Hollywood, I wonder what kind of person she would be today?
