It’s no surprise that young adults often get in trouble. All too often, youth are overwhelmed with their newfound ability to drink and gamble. Many online videos show young adults showing off through drinking contests and doing stunts that can be harmful.

When I was growing up, I always faced peer pressure to be more like the other people at my school — most of them becoming the young adults who post reckless videos like the aforementioned.

To keep myself out of trouble I do a lot of reading and am in a play to raise awareness around bullying.

I am learning to play the ocarina, a wind instrument, and I am in the young adult ministry at my church. I also enjoy drawing on my art tablet and I’m writing a horror novel.

After all of this, I barely have time for anything else after I add in school, work and the gym.

Doing all this helps me keep busy and makes it almost impossible for me to give into negative influences. I only have time to be with my real friends who only pressure me into reading certain books or watching certain movies and shows.

Catholic youth can volunteer with a charity near their home or participate in school sports. They can become a tutor and help other students who may not be doing so well. For people who aren’t very sporty or don’t like the idea of becoming a tutor and are more creative, they can try writing a novel, drawing a portrait or learning an instrument. Keeping busy and active is an effective way to keep youth from the seven deadly sins. More time used in those activities means less time for getting into trouble.

My brother keeps himself busy in cadets and volleyball. He also brings home instruments from school every day, to the annoyance of our parents, though they prefer that compared to other things.

He also goes around and helps people shovel snow or rake leaves. Even though he is only 14, he knows that doing those activities keeps him from getting into trouble.

Everyone wants something they can’t have and don’t like to be told they are wrong. Learning to keep yourself busy in ways that help you and can also help others is a good way to start the fight against the seven deadly sins. You don’t need money or experience, all you need is the motivation to help others and yourself.