The Story of My Life: Why I Still Owe My Teenage Years to One Direction

What would you call me if I told you that I constantly checked my phone for people’s whereabouts, wondered what they were doing or wearing at any given moment, listened to the sound of their voices during my free time, and took every chance I had to see them in the flesh? A stalker? A psychopath?

This was me during the beginning of my adolescence because One Direction existed. I know it sounds crazy to most people, but my teenage years would have been incredibly monotonous had they not been around. I am not alone in my gratitude for this obsession, because the international sensation of One Direction touched, or wrangled, many girls’ hearts during their climb to stardom.

My routine looked somewhat like this: wake up, listen to their music on the bus to school, probably talk about them to people at school, exit school, check update accounts on social media to see what they were up to (usually before a show) on the bus home from school, and…you get the picture. The summers were spent attending their concerts at places like Jones Beach, MetLife Stadium, Gillette Stadium and so on. The first time I saw them was on June 29th, 2013. Yes, I remember the exact date. The night prior I sprained my ankle on my friend’s trampoline and could not walk. My mom suggested one of my friends goes to the show with my sister, but I am sure you can guess how that went over. I went on my dad’s old crutches and was in a lot of pain, but somehow forgot all about it once the show started.

I remember being asked if this was a phase or if the show was the same every time; two preposterous questions that I vehemently denied. My excitement for One Direction never dwindled; scouring the internet for new content and planning out the next 1D excursion were high priorities in my pre-teen life. As time went on and still goes on, it is obvious that this wasn’t just a band for me, and for the millions of other fangirls across the world.

I not only had what felt like a universal experience with fans all over, but I also was able to cultivate strong female friendships with other fans because of our all-encompassing passion for the band. I am lucky to say that I have met some of my best friends through these five amazing boys. One of my friends, who I am still close with now, went through all the One Direction ups and downs with me: more solos for Louis and Niall, buying tickets, Zayn leaving, the hiatus, etc. As teenage girls, it felt like we went through a whirlwind of different emotions, which we did, but we always knew we could turn to their music to put us in a better mood. Additionally, we always had something to talk about because they were so prevalent in the media. Looking back now, we were not aware of the reality behind what it took to create the band’s shiny exterior, but we were just glad to bask in the excitement of constant new music, content, and shows.

Despite our young, awkward, and not fully developed selves, us girls found common ground through 1D to bond. It was something as simple as Harry’s sparkly boots or white jeans that gave me the push to go out of my comfort zone to reach out to people I wasn’t in contact with daily, something I usually never did.

I would go into arenas and eventually stadiums alone with my sister or friends just to see them perform. Such independence would make a 13-year-old feel a little nervous, but I knew we always felt our best there: crazy, loud, and unbelievably happy. It is remarkable that this experience overpowered the stressors and awkwardness of being a teenager. This confidence led me to develop and nourish my most authentic self. I felt like I was being true and real when I participated in all things 1D, as well as when I spent time with my friends who shared the same sentiment.

I was in my first year of high school when the band went on hiatus. While this was heartbreaking, their influence still lingered in my life. For instance, when I learned to drive, I always played their albums, as well as continued to make connections with people who screamed with me when “What Makes You Beautiful” came on at a high school house party.

Now a college graduate, I owe a big part of my current identity to One Direction. I still carry the attitude I did when people wrote off my dedication as a silly teen girl phase. My past and present love for them helped me to be sure of myself then as a kid, and even now as an adult. People thought it was a fleeting passion, but now it is framing my current career ambitions.

Times have changed, and so have I. But have I really changed that much? At my core is a girl who loves all things involved with music because of One Direction. A girl who still freaks out at a new solo release and tries her absolute best to get to the concerts she wants to see. A girl who still can have endless conversations about One Direction and look back at my memories with a smile. They may not be a band anymore and I may not keep up with all of them as solo artists, but when they were together, I know that it was a “Once in a Lifetime” experience not only for them but also for me and my growth.