• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Privacy Policy
Dork Diaries

Dork Diaries

#1 New York Times Bestselling Series

News, Advice, Diary & Fun Stuff!
Hang Out with Nikki!!
Bratty Little Sister
DIARY
GAMES

Cozy Winter

NEWS
Sneak Peek #3
  • Author Events
  • Books
  • Hang Out
    • Nikki’s Diary
    • Nikki’s Advice
    • Chloe & Zoey
    • Brandon
    • Brandon’s Advice
  • Dorky Stuff
    • Dork Freebies
    • Fan Art
    • Games
    • Videos
    • Music
    • Meet the characters
    • I Heart Writing
    • Dorks Around the World
    • Girls Saving the World
  • For Teachers

February 12, 2015

WHEN YOU FEEL LIKE YOU’RE ALWAYS SECOND BEST

Second Choice

I feel like I’m always second best. I’m always the backup friend, the third wheel. When my teachers tell us to get into pairs, I’m always the one left out. All my friends partner up, and I’m left standing there awkwardly.

I’m sick of being everyone’s second choice. No matter how hard I try, I’ll never be good enough. Please help me!

Anita

Hi Anita! I’m so sorry you have to deal with this SUPER frustrating situation!

If it makes you feel any better, you wouldn’t be MY second choice! Actually, you were my FIRST choice when I was looking through my inbox deciding whose question to answer this week!

I know that doesn’t really help you with that partner writing assignment in English, but maybe this will…

It sounds to me like this whole situation has shaken your confidence. And I totally get why! No one wants to feel like the last kid picked in dodge ball EVERY DAY.

Being treated like this can make you feel like somebody has scrawled ‘NOT GOOD ENOUGH’ in lipstick across your forehead.

And if you’re feeling kind of insecure, you probably wait around, hoping someone will pick you when it’s time to pair up.

Other people probably pick up on this shy, nervous energy, and it might make them want to stay away. I mean, think about it: When someone thinks they’re not good enough, they seem kind of sad and down in the dumps.

That doesn’t exactly spell “Super fun to work with!”

So, what if instead of waiting, you picked someone yourself? What if instead of looking dejected, you plastered a big old grin on your face, walked right up to someone before she could choose someone else, and said, “Want to pair up?!?”

If you act like you’re an awesome partner, other people will be more likely to think the same thing!

I doubt all your friends would say no to you…they ARE your friends, after all!

And if one does say no, it’s probably because she was super excited to partner with someone specific…not because there’s something wrong with you!

So keep telling yourself that: “There’s nothing wrong with me, and I am SO worth being someone’s first choice!”

If you believe it, you’ll act like it, and then other people will start to believe it and act like it too!

What do you guys think? Do you have advice for Anita?

Filed Under: My Diary, Nikki's Advice

Primary Sidebar

Hang Out With Nikki!
new_releases What's New
menu_book Diary
question_answer Advice
quiz Quirky Questions

Advice Topics

  • friends
    • Befriend
    • popularity
    • BFF
    • clingy
    • mean
    • Fights
    • socialMedia/texting
  • crush
  • self-esteem
    • anxiety
    • beauty
    • Sadness
    • jealousy
    • lying
    • boredom
  • school
    • grades
    • homework
    • teacher
    • writing
    • clubs
  • sports
  • health
  • humiliation
    • bully
    • gossip
  • parents
    • dad
    • mom
    • divorce
    • allowance
  • siblings
    • brother
    • sister
  • Pets

Search

Nikki's Advice & Diary

Footer

Website Map

  • Nikki’s Diary
  • Merchandise
  • Nikki’s Advice
  • Book Series
  • Brandon
  • Author Events
  • Chloe & Zoey
  • Videos
  • Fan Art
  • Dork Freebies

Buy the Books

  • Amazon
  • Powell’s
  • Barnes & Noble
  • Simon & Schuster
  • Books-A-Million
  • Target
  • IndieBound
  • Wal-mart

Dork Diaries International Site

  • Brazil
  • Germany
  • Italy
  • Portugal
  • Greece
  • Korea
  • Romania
  • Holland
  • Latvia
  • Estonia
  • Hungary
  • Lithuania
  • Turkey
  • France
  • UK

Copyright © 2025 Rachel Renée Russell · The Dork Diaries Series is written by Rachel Renée Russell and published by Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing · Terms and Conditions