Advice For A Teen Mermaid

[introverting]

I've noticed that I'm pretty young compared to everyone else in the mercommunity (15 years old) and it feels pretty overwhelming. Are there standards to live up to? What does it take to truly be a mermaid? Am I good enough? Will I be looked down upon because of my age (especially for pod meetups)? I've taken up swimming as a sport for seven years now, have been practicing with a monofin, learning breathing techniques to increase my lung capacity, did research on many forums, and I have a tail of my own, but what next? I'm a beginner, and took the risky road by going to silicone for my first tail. This has been on my mind for awhile now, and I hope I can get advice from many of you. What should I do? Right now I'm aiming to be able to swim in the ocean, preferably snorkeling spots.

Thanks for the input,
Janele

[Mermaid Lunette]

there is a very simple rule of thumb for "how to be a mermaid"

firstly, do you identify as a mermaid?

no? then you are probably not.

yes? CONGRATULATIONS, you are a mermaid ^____^


and how to be a better mer? well what do you like about it?

do you like the theatrics or it?

the activism?

or is it all about the fun?

the answers to those questions can make the conversation a little less broad and a bit more helpful

at least, that's my take on it.

[Mermaid Lunette]

(oh, and working on your breath holding and swimming seem to be the best options for ocean swimming so you are pretty much on your way in that aspect, but ocean swimming might be a thread all it's own, probably a thread already available.)

[Ashe]

Lunette got it right. If you think you're a mer, you are a mer! There are tons of people here who don't even have tails yet, but we're all the same. I don't have the link, but go on YouTube and look up Iona the Mermaid. She has a wonderful video explaining how when you're a mer, age, gender, sexuality, disability, race, or anything else doesn't matter :)
I am fifteen as well and am currently making my first silicone tail :)

[Mermaid Nerida]

I totally understand, and I'm so glad you made this thread. I'm fifteen, and the same questions have been floating around in my mind, so thanks!

Sent from my shell phone under the sea!

[Ashe]

Nerida and Introverting, do you guys have Skype or Kik? I think we should totally chat!

[Mermaid Nerida]

I have skype, and I'm signing up for kik right now!

Sent from my shell phone under the sea!

[introverting]

I'll sign up for them soon, but my instagram is the same as my username :-)

[Mermaid Mystery]

I'm 15 too! I kinda feel like the little sister of the community sometimes.

[introverting]

I wonder, regarding meetups, it wouldn't be awkward for a group of 20 some year-olds meeting teenagers? Hmmm...

[introverting]

Ooo I know, a meetup for teenagers >:D

[Mermaid Nerida]

Yeah! Me too! Sometimes I kinda feel like I shouldn't give input on threads because I don't have much experience.

Sent from my shell phone under the sea!

[Mermaid Mystery]

I'm going to a meetup later this month, i don't think it'll be weird but I'll see about that

[Ashe]

I've never been to a meetup, but I think the monthly meets for my pod are adult oriented...

[Mermaid Nerida]

Ooo I know, a meetup for teenagers >:D
Yass!!

Sent from my shell phone under the sea!

[MerEmma]

I just turned sixteen and I'm naturally a very social person...I haven't been to a meet up yet but I've been wanting to and haven't ever considered feeling out of place at one because of my age.

[introverting]

Yeah! Me too! Sometimes I kinda feel like I shouldn't give input on threads because I don't have much experience.

Sent from my shell phone under the sea!

Same!! I try to educate myself a lot.

[mermaids-and-anchors]

I got into mermaiding I think when I was 16? I'm 19 now, I didn't get my tail until.... 17? I talked to one of the mermaids in my state, Lanai, the New York Mermaid and she took me under her wing. She invited me to do a gig with her, she also has gotten me gigs. I went to my first meet up and I was the youngest one there, everyone else was older than I. You really have mostly everything in common with each other because you're all mermaids. That's mostly what we talked about, mermaid tails, tailmakers. I asked questions regarding "How do you act around children?" "What do I do if this happens?" etc. I also got to see how all the mermaids reacted to certain situations at the meet ups and how I should act. My pod has many people and I don't think any of them have looked down upon me because of my age or treated me any different. I've made a lot of friendships, I've never seen an age gap. That's my experience though and I hope if you do go to meet ups you get the same experience as I did. (:

[introverting]

I got into mermaiding I think when I was 16? I'm 19 now, I didn't get my tail until.... 17? I talked to one of the mermaids in my state, Lanai, the New York Mermaid and she took me under her wing. She invited me to do a gig with her, she also has gotten me gigs. I went to my first meet up and I was the youngest one there, everyone else was older than I. You really have mostly everything in common with each other because you're all mermaids. That's mostly what we talked about, mermaid tails, tailmakers. I asked questions regarding "How do you act around children?" "What do I do if this happens?" etc. I also got to see how all the mermaids reacted to certain situations at the meet ups and how I should act. My pod has many people and I don't think any of them have looked down upon me because of my age or treated me any different. I've made a lot of friendships, I've never seen an age gap. That's my experience though and I hope if you do go to meet ups you get the same experience as I did. (:

That's interesting... and really helpful, thank you!

[Ashe]

Why don't you guys PM me your Skype names and we can make a big teen mer group :)

[Mermaid Wesley]

I've never been to a meetup, but I think the monthly meets for my pod are adult oriented...

They aren't! I promise :) There are more adults that go, simply because they have cars and stuff, but we have a few teens who show up too. I'm 20 and maybe one of the youngest regulars, but all ages are totally welcome. There's no drinking or anything. :)

[Mermaid Tisse]

I'm on the younger side of the spectrum (16) and I've been a mer since I was twelve, wearing leggings and swim fins in the water. I just got my first silicone tail, and I love it! I'm really out of the way of anyone though, so there's not many meetups I can attend. :(

[Ashe]

They aren't! I promise :) There are more adults that go, simply because they have cars and stuff, but we have a few teens who show up too. I'm 20 and maybe one of the youngest regulars, but all ages are totally welcome. There's no drinking or anything. :)
Wes, you're so sweet :) I was meaning to go to the one a month or two ago, but I was on vacation. Once my tail is finished, I'll definitely see you there!

[introverting]

They aren't! I promise :) There are more adults that go, simply because they have cars and stuff, but we have a few teens who show up too. I'm 20 and maybe one of the youngest regulars, but all ages are totally welcome. There's no drinking or anything. :)

What does everyone do at a meetup?

[Ashe]

Alright teen mers, we have a Skype pod. If you want to join, just PM me :)

[Mermaid Wesley]

What does everyone do at a meetup?

At ours we just hang out, then we put our tails on and take pictures and talk to kids, then we eat :)


And awesome! I can't wait :)

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Fun123joker]

right when i uninstalled skype! i'll just re install it then!
dont worry introverting as you can see we do have some young mers. im only 16 and i joined mernetwork when i was. i think 14? yeah 14



i dont go to mer meetups because they're arnt any mers around here that i know of. but i have been to fandom meetups (homestuck and hetalia meetups) usally we have a pot luck and sometimes we do photoshoots and just hang out. one meetup we went to some of the mesuems here (some museums in DC are free)

[Kishiko]

I started mermaiding when I was 13 (15 now) So a about a year and a half ago. I think with age its up and down, but for the most part, most people don't care. I've met up with a few people (Wesley for one actually) And also Mermaid Heather from Minnesota (Both of whom are adults) And I dont think they minded at all! Its a little tougher to navigate mermaiding as a business because of licensing and what not, but if you're interested in that feel free to PM me. When push comes to shove, keep doing what you love and if anyone gives you hell just fluke slap them and keep swimming :lol: (Okay maybe not that but you know what I mean) Good luck and happy swimming :)

[MerShellly]

Cool I had no idea there were so many other 15 yr old mers here too! I just turned 15 about a month ago, whoop-whoop! I've always wanted to go to a meetup but there are unfortunately reasons that have kept me from doing so. One day tho, I shall!

[MermaidSabrina]

I was just browsing the forums (some stuff on here can be fun to read,but I'm too shy to get involved) I just turned 16 in August,and for the longest time (I've been a mer since I was ten,on MN since 14.) that I was alone and this was mostly adults. :) I'm happy to know I'm not alone