«I don't care about stupid sayings»

I have quite a lot of self-confidence. I'm aware of that and I often hear that. At school, my teachers think I'm an alpha dog. I also think I'm pretty good myself and have never had the feeling that I'm not good enough or that I'm not loved for myself.

I don't know where this good feeling comes from. I think it developed over time. There was an uncertain phase at the beginning of puberty, but I think that was more to do with the fact that I was between childhood and adulthood and didn't know exactly which direction I was being drawn in.

I don't pay too much attention to the opinions of others. I'm happy the way I am right now.

Apprenticeship? Grammar school? Abroad? Maybe it has something to do with my position in the family, I'm the eldest of three children. I had my parents' full attention for two years. And in the last two or three years I've also taken on responsibility, looking after my younger siblings for an hour every now and then.

In the Scouts, I'm a Wölfli leader. If someone criticises me constructively, I don't feel hurt. I then look at it and check whether I feel like implementing the suggestion. If it's stupid criticism - for example because of my hair, which I'm currently letting grow longer - then I don't itch. I don't take it personally. I don't pay too much attention to other people's opinions. I'm happy the way I am right now.

If I have a crisis - heartache, a fight, bad grades - I withdraw and prefer to deal with it myself, talk it over with a close friend, a girlfriend or even my mum. I also don't want to get on other people's nerves unnecessarily.