Prototype beats daydream.

Sometimes when things feel heavy or confusing, dreaming about a perfect fix sounds safer than doing anything at all. That’s normal. Daydreaming helps us imagine, but a tiny attempt — a prototype — teaches us what really works. Think of a prototype like a small practice: a five-minute drawing instead of a whole comic book, a short note to a friend instead of a long speech, trying a new way to study for one homework assignment instead of remaking your whole routine. As your mentor, I want you to know that small experiments are brave. You aren’t being judged for not getting everything perfect; you’re learning, and learning is powerful. I’m not a doctor or therapist, but I’ve watched kids and teens grow faster when they trade “someday” for “today’s tiny try.”

Here are some short, strong phrases you can say to yourself when things feel stuck. Use them like a toolkit — pick one, try it, and notice what happens: - Try one tiny step — you don’t have to finish it, just start. - It’s okay to fail — failing means you tried and can try again. - Just five minutes — set a tiny timer and begin. - I can change one thing — changing one small habit is huge. - Ask for help — asking is a superpower, not a weakness. - I’m curious, not perfect — curiosity beats fear. - Celebrate tiny wins — a small success deserves a little cheer.

When a problem shows up — a fight with a friend, a tough test, a day you feel low — pick one of these phrases and then make a tiny prototype. If you’re nervous about talking to someone, write a quick message and send it. If homework feels impossible, try it for five minutes and then decide. If you feel sad, try a tiny break: draw for five minutes, step outside, or tell one trusted person one sentence, like “I’m having a hard day.” These little tries don’t fix everything at once, but they give you information: what works, what doesn’t, and how you feel. Each attempt builds confidence, even when it doesn’t solve the whole problem. That’s how skill and courage grow.

Remember, prototypes don’t have to look pretty. A messy plan that gets started is better than a perfect plan that never begins. Keep your tries small, kind, and repeatable. Notice what changes, and tweak your next step. Over time, those tiny tries add up into real change. I’m proud of you for being willing to try, even when it’s scary. Keep choosing a small step today — prototypes beat daydreams, and your small steps will add up to something big.