For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston for December 04, 2021

Good ol’ yet difficult soul searching.

You are drowning in your oversized coat, Liz. And why do you want to figure out people? There is no real need to if they are just acquaintances, classmates, work mates, colleagues, etc. Save that for your inner circle. And Dawn hits home with needing to figure out herself. You need to do the same and not to worry about others.

Dawn’s hair is growing out quickly. No listening to the popular crowd. They don’t know what’s up yet either.

Nowadays Hollywood influences young people into unrealistic ideals of beauty and then criticizes others for doing the same thing!

Lot of truth there

Being able to get a bead on others is only one way that most folks defend themselves from being subjected to/accosted by the toxics in this world. Plenty of them around and they aren’t so easy to recognize up front. Teens/young adults are easy marks for such personalities. I think Liz is right to question. I also think Dawn is right to want to be self-aware. These two are good kids : )

Hell, I’m nearly 60 and still haven’t figured myself out. But as far as others, you get to choose whether you let them bother you or not, influence you…or not.

“Is it me for a moment?”

Some people have broken brains. Sorry.

I’d feel more comfortable riding to school if the bus stayed on the road.

See today’s “Elderberries”: Know thyself.

Wait until boys enter the picture

Dawn, welcome to level 6A of growing up. #1 birth #2 talk, #3 walk, #4 potty, #5 school, #6A socialization(yourself first)

Reminds me of the Foreigner song, “Head Games”.

Bad news regarding that comment in the final panel. The process never ends.

If you have to work this hard at a friendship, Liz, let Candace go. Dawn is right there, and you guys click.

I don’t want anybody figuring me out. If cuts into my annoying mystique cover.

The best place to start a conversation is in the middle

A very Holden Caulfield kind of monologue… Especially phrasing-wise.

I empathize with Dawn. And I’m way past Middle School.

The biggest lies we tell are the ones we tell ourselves.