. . . but change does too.

Making a different choice, taking a different path is a possibility in most things you do. There are some things, listed below, you can do to improve your chances. These ideas come from Project Reality, an organization that’s been teaching sexuality education since 1985.

1. Changing behavior starts with a commitment to do things differently in the future. Make a list of the reasons you want to change and make up your mind to stick with your decision.

2. Decide who you can talk to who will support your desire to change. Let your parents or best friends know about your change. Be sure those friends will support you and not pressure you to go back to those old behaviors.

3. Once you’ve identified “trusted agents,” family and friends who will support you, talk to them. Tell them about your reasons and let them help you identify ways to live up to your commitment. For instance, decide to only date those who understand and will honor your decision to remain abstinent.

4. Set boundaries for yourself. Think about the situations you might encounter in dating and be sure you avoid the situations that might lead to bad decisions. Put a time limit on the “voice to voice” step to intimacy. Make that step last a month or 4 months – choose a time that you think will be safe and will help you sort out who your date really is.

5. Keep your eyes on the future. You know that risky behaviors will interfere with the plans you have to go to college or tech school, to find a job and save some money before you marry. Start every date with a reminder to yourself (and maybe your date) that you have plans that do not include taking risks that may have consequences that will keep you from achieving your goals.