Climate change isn’t just a headline—it’s the reality that today’s teens are inheriting. While statistics about rising temperatures and plastic-choked oceans can feel overwhelming, stories have a unique power to transform eco-anxiety into meaningful action. Young adult fiction about environmental activism does something remarkable: it takes abstract environmental crises and makes them personal, urgent, and most importantly, solvable. When a teen protagonist sorts through recycling bins to expose corporate corruption or organizes a school-wide composting program, readers don’t just see characters—they see themselves.
The right eco-activism narrative can be the difference between a teen who knows they should recycle and one who understands exactly why their individual actions ripple outward. These books serve as both mirrors and roadmaps, reflecting a generation’s environmental concerns while providing practical inspiration for everything from starting a community garden to launching a plastic-free campaign in the school cafeteria.
Top 10 YA Eco-Activism Books for Teens
Detailed Product Reviews
1. The Mystery of Grimvalley Manor: Interactive Book, Choose Your Own Ending. Adventure story for Children and Teens, 10-14 years old. (Interactive Adventures)
Overview: This interactive adventure book puts young readers in control of the narrative, offering multiple pathways through a mysterious manor story. Designed for ages 10-14, it transforms passive reading into an active decision-making experience where choices directly impact the ending.
What Makes It Stand Out: The choose-your-own-ending format is a proven engagement tool that particularly benefits reluctant readers. Each decision point creates a sense of agency, making the reading experience feel more like a game than a traditional novel. The Grimvalley Manor setting promises classic mystery elements—secret passages, hidden clues, and intriguing characters—that appeal to this age group’s developing problem-solving skills.
Value for Money: At $6.99, this represents excellent value compared to standard paperbacks. The replayability factor significantly extends its lifespan—readers can explore different paths, effectively getting multiple stories in one volume. Interactive books typically command premium pricing, making this an accessible entry point.
Strengths and Weaknesses: Strengths: Highly engaging format; builds critical thinking and consequences awareness; perfect for short attention spans; encourages re-reading. Weaknesses: Individual storylines may be shorter than traditional novels; character development can feel shallow due to branching narrative structure; some paths may end abruptly, potentially frustrating thorough readers.
Bottom Line: An ideal choice for middle-grade readers who enjoy gaming, puzzles, or who struggle with conventional books. It successfully bridges entertainment and literacy development, though dedicated novel readers may find the fragmented storytelling less satisfying.
2. Climate Change for Teens: Understand the science, find hope, take action
Overview: This non-fiction guide tackles the critical topic of climate change specifically for teenage readers, balancing scientific accuracy with emotional support. It aims to educate without overwhelming, providing both understanding and actionable steps forward.
What Makes It Stand Out: Rather than dwelling on doom-and-gloom scenarios that can paralyze young people, this book intentionally frames climate change through a lens of empowerment and hope. It connects global issues to personal agency, showing teens how individual and collective actions matter. The science is presented accessibly without condescension.
Value for Money: Priced at $12.99, this sits comfortably within standard young adult non-fiction range. Given the timeliness and importance of the subject matter, it’s a worthwhile investment in a teen’s environmental literacy and mental well-being. The combination of scientific education and emotional coping tools offers dual value.
Strengths and Weaknesses: Strengths: Timely, relevant content; balances realism with optimism; includes concrete action items; addresses climate anxiety directly; suitable for classroom or personal use. Weaknesses: Scientific information may require updates as research progresses; some teens might still find the topic overwhelming despite positive framing; action items may vary in feasibility depending on geographic location.
Bottom Line: Essential reading for environmentally conscious teens or those experiencing climate anxiety. It successfully transforms a daunting subject into an empowering call to action, making it valuable for both personal growth and academic supplement.
3. A Stellar Purpose (A Stellar Purpose trilogy Book 1)
Overview: This first installment of the “A Stellar Purpose” trilogy introduces readers to a new science fiction or fantasy universe. At an entry-level price point, it invites readers to embark on an epic journey with minimal financial commitment while establishing the series’ core characters and world-building.
What Makes It Stand Out: The aggressive $4.99 pricing for a series starter demonstrates confidence in hooking readers through storytelling rather than relying on brand recognition. This approach lowers the barrier to entry for readers discovering new authors, making it an attractive impulse purchase for fans of speculative fiction.
Value for Money: Exceptional value at $4.99—likely positioned as an ebook to drive series adoption. This pricing strategy allows readers to sample the author’s style and universe without the typical $9.99-$14.99 investment. If the story delivers, the cost-per-hour of entertainment is outstanding.
Strengths and Weaknesses: Strengths: Low-risk introduction to a new series; strong incentive to continue if quality is high; affordable gateway for budget-conscious readers; establishes franchise potential. Weaknesses: As a series opener, may suffer from slow pacing due to world-building obligations; cliffhanger endings can feel unsatisfying; requires commitment to multiple books for complete story; quality unknown without established reviews.
Bottom Line: A smart, low-stakes entry point for fans of trilogies. Worth purchasing if you enjoy discovering new voices in speculative fiction, but be prepared for the implicit commitment to continue the series for full narrative satisfaction.
4. A Stellar Purpose II (A Stellar Purpose trilogy Book 2)
Overview: The second book in the “A Stellar Purpose” trilogy continues the journey established in the first installment. This middle chapter builds upon the foundational world-building of Book 1, typically raising stakes and developing characters further while bridging to the series conclusion. It assumes familiarity with the established narrative.
What Makes It Stand Out: Maintaining the same $4.99 price point as its predecessor shows consistency in the publisher’s reader-friendly pricing strategy. For fans who invested in Book 1, this affordable continuation removes financial barriers to completing the series, fostering reader loyalty and demonstrating commitment to accessibility.
Value for Money: At $4.99, it delivers the same strong value proposition as Book 1. Middle books often feel like bridge content, but this pricing acknowledges that potential limitation while rewarding committed readers. The cost-to-continuation ratio is excellent for those already invested in the story and characters.
Strengths and Weaknesses: Strengths: Builds on established characters and plot; maintains affordable pricing; deeper world exploration; typically features higher stakes and more complex conflicts than the opener. Weaknesses: Not a standalone entry—absolutely requires reading Book 1; vulnerable to “middle book syndrome” where plot treads water; may end on a frustrating cliffhanger; no recap could confuse readers who paused between books.
Bottom Line: A must-purchase for readers who enjoyed Book 1, but completely inaccessible to newcomers. The value is clear for series fans, though it carries the inherent risks of any trilogy’s middle installment. Ensure you’ve read the first book recently for maximum enjoyment.
5. How to Manage Your Eco-Anxiety: An Empowering Guide for Young People
Overview: This specialized mental health guide addresses the growing phenomenon of eco-anxiety among young people. It provides practical coping strategies and reframing techniques specifically tailored to climate-related worries, filling a unique niche in youth psychology resources.
What Makes It Stand Out: Few resources directly target eco-anxiety as a distinct condition rather than a subset of general anxiety. This book validates young people’s environmental concerns while providing actionable tools, creating a safe space to process complex emotions about planetary futures without dismissing their validity.
Value for Money: At $29.99, this is a premium-priced resource. The specialized focus justifies the cost for those actively struggling with eco-anxiety, but may limit casual purchases. Compared to therapy sessions or generalized anxiety workbooks, it offers targeted value. However, the high price point could paradoxically cause anxiety for budget-conscious families.
Strengths and Weaknesses: Strengths: Addresses underserved mental health niche; empowers rather than pathologizes; provides community and validation; includes age-appropriate exercises. Weaknesses: Significantly more expensive than comparable youth non-fiction; narrow focus may not resonate with all teens; could overlap with general CBT techniques found in cheaper resources; requires motivated reader for effectiveness.
Bottom Line: An invaluable resource for young people genuinely experiencing eco-anxiety, but the steep price limits its accessibility. Consider library borrowing first. For those severely affected, it’s a worthwhile investment, but others may find adequate support in general anxiety management books at lower price points.
6. The Summer We Turned Green: Shortlisted for the Laugh Out Loud Book Awards
Overview: This young adult novel follows a group of teenagers who accidentally become environmental activists during one life-changing summer. When their local park faces destruction, they launch a series of hilariously misguided eco-campaigns that spiral into chaos. Shortlisted for the prestigious Laugh Out Loud Book Awards, this British import balances timely climate themes with genuine comedic flair. The story captures the awkwardness of adolescence while delivering a heartfelt message about community action and finding your voice.
What Makes It Stand Out: The book’s genius lies in its ability to tackle serious environmental issues through laugh-out-loud scenarios without trivializing them. The protagonist’s voice feels authentically teenage—self-deprecating, passionate, and unintentionally funny. Unlike typical issue-driven YA, it prioritizes humor first, letting the message sneak in through memorable set pieces and witty dialogue. The ensemble cast represents diverse backgrounds, each bringing their own brand of eco-chaos to the narrative, creating a refreshing take on youth activism.
Value for Money: At $10.79, this paperback sits comfortably in standard YA pricing territory. Given its award recognition and 300+ page count, it offers solid value compared to similar titles like those by David Baddiel or Jenny Pearson. The lasting appeal of its humor and relevant themes means genuine rereading potential, unlike many disposable summer reads. The quality binding and cover design further justify the investment for collectors.
Strengths and Weaknesses: Strengths include razor-sharp dialogue, relatable character dynamics, and a refreshingly optimistic tone. The eco-tips woven throughout are practical bonuses. Weaknesses: British slang may confuse some American readers, and the plot follows familiar coming-of-age beats. The humor, while award-nominated, might not land for everyone—some jokes feel culturally specific. Pacing lags slightly in the middle act during the planning montages.
Bottom Line: Perfect for readers aged 14+ who enjoy British humor or want climate fiction that doesn’t preach. Buy it for the laughs; stay for the genuine inspiration. A worthy addition to any YA collection that proves activism can be both important and hilarious.
7. Fingerprints In The Water: Book 3 of the Draconim Series (Draconim Lacrima Mortis)
Overview: The third installment in the dark fantasy Draconim series plunges readers deeper into a world where dragon magic corrupts and ancient prophecies demand sacrifice. Protagonist Kael must decipher mysterious aquatic fingerprints left by the dying Draconim race while confronting the truth about his own lineage. This volume escalates the stakes dramatically, weaving together threads from previous books into a tapestry of political intrigue and draconic mysticism that will satisfy dedicated fans of the series.
What Makes It Stand Out: The series’ unique magic system—where dragon tears forge weapons and memories—creates hauntingly beautiful imagery. Lacrima Mortis explores themes of genetic memory and environmental decay rarely seen in fantasy. The author’s commitment to morally gray characters avoids simplistic good-versus-evil tropes. Water-based scrying and the fingerprint motif provide fresh takes on divination magic, making this installment feel distinct within the crowded fantasy market while honoring established lore.
Value for Money: At just $2.99 for the ebook, this represents exceptional value. Most fantasy novels retail for $9.99-$14.99 digitally. Even as a series entry requiring prior investment, the price point makes it an easy purchase for fans. The 400-page length ensures substantial content per dollar, though newcomers must factor in the cost of previous volumes. For series followers, it’s practically a steal that rewards their continued investment.
Strengths and Weaknesses: Strengths include intricate world-building, emotionally complex character arcs, and innovative dragon lore. The water magic sequences are viscerally written and memorable. Weaknesses: Absolutely not a standalone—first-time readers will be completely lost. Some passages suffer from dense prose and occasional copyediting oversights typical of independent publishing. Pacing is uneven, with slow middle sections balancing explosive opening and closing acts that demand close attention.
Bottom Line: Essential reading for established fans of the Draconim series. Newcomers should begin with Book 1 to appreciate the complex narrative. At this price, it’s a low-risk, high-reward continuation for those already invested in Kael’s journey and the fate of the Draconim.
Why YA Fiction is the Ultimate Eco-Activism Tool
Young adult literature meets teens exactly where they are—questioning authority, seeking purpose, and hungry for stories that validate their ability to change the world. Unlike didactic non-fiction, eco-themed YA novels embed environmental lessons within compelling character journeys. The environmental crisis becomes the backdrop for first love, friendship drama, and identity formation, making the message inseparable from the emotional stakes.
The Psychology of Narrative Persuasion
Stories bypass our mental defenses in ways that statistics cannot. When readers inhabit a protagonist’s perspective as they grapple with polluted local waterways or witness deforestation’s impact on their community, they develop emotional connections to environmental issues. This narrative transportation effect means teens experience the consequences of environmental destruction—and the triumphs of activism—vicariously, building neural pathways that make real-world action feel more natural and urgent.
Key Themes That Drive Environmental Action
Effective eco-activism YA fiction weaves together several powerful themes that resonate with adolescent readers. Look for stories that balance environmental urgency with hope, showing both the scale of the problem and the tangible impact of collective action.
Intergenerational Justice and Youth Voice
The most compelling narratives position teens not as passive inheritors of a broken planet but as active agents demanding accountability from adult systems. These stories validate the frustration many young people feel when decisions made decades before their birth threaten their future, while simultaneously empowering them to speak truth to power through organized action.
Community Over Individualism
While a single protagonist often drives the plot, the most impactful eco-YA emphasizes that environmental change requires collective effort. Watch for narratives where recycling programs succeed because of diverse coalitions—artists who create awareness campaigns, tech-savvy students who build tracking apps, and organizers who rally community support.
Transforming Eco-Anxiety Into Purposeful Action
Modern teens carry a heavy psychological burden: many report feeling overwhelming anxiety about climate change. Quality environmental fiction reframes this paralyzing fear into productive anger and purposeful action by showing characters who channel their worry into concrete steps.
The Power of Small Wins
Stories that focus solely on global-scale solutions can leave readers feeling powerless. The most effective novels intersperse small, achievable victories—like implementing a school recycling competition or cleaning up a local park—within larger environmental narratives. These “small win” moments teach teens that meaningful change happens through consistent, local action, not just grand gestures.
Character Archetypes That Inspire Real-World Activism
Certain protagonist types consistently motivate teen readers to take environmental action themselves. Understanding these archetypes helps readers find characters who reflect their own personality and potential activism style.
The Accidental Activist
This reluctant hero stumbles into environmentalism through personal circumstances—a new school with a nonexistent recycling program, a summer job at a polluted beach, or a family member’s health crisis linked to local pollution. Their journey from apathy to advocacy mirrors how many teens actually encounter environmental issues, making their transformation relatable and replicable.
The Data-Driven Organizer
For analytically-minded readers, protagonists who approach environmental problems through research, data collection, and systematic planning provide a blueprint for action. These characters create spreadsheets tracking recycling rates, conduct waste audits, and use evidence to convince skeptics, demonstrating that activism takes many forms.
The Creative Disruptor
Some stories feature artists, musicians, or social media mavens who use creative expression to make environmental issues impossible to ignore. Their campaigns—whether through viral videos about plastic waste or stunning installations made from ocean debris—show teens that their unique talents are valuable tools for change.
The Role of Community Settings in Environmental Narratives
The backdrop of an eco-activism story significantly impacts its inspirational power. Settings that feel accessible to readers make the activism model easier to replicate.
School as Microcosm
Narratives set in schools are particularly effective because they mirror readers’ daily reality. When protagonists transform their high school through recycling initiatives, cafeteria composting, or environmental clubs, they provide a ready-made template that teens can adapt to their own educational environments.
Small Towns vs. Urban Landscapes
Small-town settings often allow for stories about community-wide transformation, where personal relationships drive change. Urban narratives, conversely, might tackle systemic issues like environmental racism, waste management inequities, or the challenges of greening concrete jungles—each offering different but equally valuable activist models.
Plot Structures That Motivate Action
The architecture of a story’s plot determines whether readers finish feeling empowered or overwhelmed. Look for specific narrative patterns that translate effectively to real-world inspiration.
The Investigation Framework
Many powerful eco-YA novels structure environmental activism as a mystery. Protagonists investigate why their town’s recycling program was canceled, trace pollution to its source, or uncover corporate greenwashing. This detective-style approach teaches research skills, critical thinking, and the importance of following evidence—all transferable skills for teen activists.
The Campaign Arc
Stories that follow a complete campaign—from initial idea through obstacles to implementation—provide a practical roadmap. Readers witness characters writing proposals, securing funding, navigating bureaucracy, and celebrating milestones, demystifying the process of creating institutional change.
Diversity and Representation in Green YA Fiction
Environmental issues disproportionately affect marginalized communities, and authentic eco-activism literature must reflect this reality. Stories that center diverse protagonists demonstrate that the environmental movement is strongest when it includes all voices.
Environmental Justice Perspectives
Seek out narratives that connect recycling and waste reduction to broader issues of equity. These stories show how landfills and incinerators are often placed in low-income neighborhoods and communities of color, transforming recycling from a personal virtue into an issue of social justice.
Cultural Approaches to Sustainability
The most enriching eco-YA incorporates traditional ecological knowledge and cultural practices around conservation. These narratives challenge the notion that environmentalism is a modern Western concept, showing teens that sustainable living has deep roots in many cultures worldwide.
From Fiction to Recycling Bins: Bridging the Gap
The ultimate test of eco-activism fiction is whether it inspires tangible behavior change. The best novels include subtle mechanisms that help readers transition from story to action.
Embedded Action Steps
Some stories naturally weave practical tips into the narrative—characters explain how to properly sort recyclables, the impact of different materials, or how to start a composting system. These embedded lessons feel organic rather than preachy, giving readers immediate, actionable information.
Resource Lists and Real-World Connections
While avoiding specific book recommendations, look for novels that include author notes connecting fictional events to real organizations, apps, or movements. These bridges help teens find their local environmental community and actual tools for action.
Scientific Accuracy and Credibility
For eco-fiction to inspire genuine activism, it must ground its environmental claims in scientific reality. Stories that take creative license with environmental science risk undermining their own message.
Vetting Environmental Claims
Quality eco-YA often includes author acknowledgments thanking scientists, environmental lawyers, or activists who reviewed the manuscript for accuracy. This behind-the-scenes diligence ensures that when characters discuss recycling contamination rates or the decomposition timeline of plastics, teens are learning factual information that will serve their real-world efforts.
Balancing Urgency With Hope
Scientifically accurate doesn’t mean hopeless. The most effective narratives acknowledge the severity of environmental challenges while showing that individual and collective action can still make meaningful differences. This balance prevents the paralysis that pure doom-and-gloom messaging can create.
Age-Appropriate Content for Different Reading Levels
Eco-activism themes can be explored across the YA spectrum, from younger teens (12-14) to older adolescents (15-18). Understanding developmental differences helps match readers with stories that will resonate.
Middle Grade vs. Upper YA Approaches
Younger teen fiction often focuses on school and family-level solutions, with clear-cut environmental villains and triumphant resolutions. Upper YA can tackle more complex systemic issues, moral ambiguity, and the emotional toll of activism, preparing older teens for the realities of long-term environmental work.
Romantic Subplots and Activism
Many eco-YA novels include romance, which can either enhance or detract from the environmental message. The most effective integrations show relationships built on shared values and collaborative action, modeling how personal connections can strengthen rather than distract from activist commitments.
Format Considerations: Novels, Series, and Beyond
The structure of a book itself influences its activist impact. Different formats serve different purposes in building sustained environmental engagement.
Standalone Novels for Immediate Impact
Single-volume stories provide complete activist arcs in one sitting, perfect for sparking initial interest. Their self-contained nature means teens can immediately grasp the full journey from problem to solution, potentially inspiring quick action.
Series for Sustained Engagement
Multi-book series allow for deeper exploration of environmental issues over time. They can show the long-term challenges of activism—burnout, setbacks, and evolving strategies—preparing teens for marathon environmental work rather than sprint campaigns.
The Rise of Illustrated and Graphic Formats
Visual storytelling brings environmental issues to life in visceral ways. Graphic novels about eco-activism use imagery to make abstract problems like ocean plastic or landfill overflow immediately visible and emotionally impactful.
Visual Metaphors for Environmental Issues
Illustrations can powerfully represent concepts like the “Great Pacific Garbage Patch” or carbon emissions in ways that words alone cannot. These visual metaphors stick with readers, often becoming mental images they recall when making daily decisions about consumption and waste.
Audiobooks and Podcast-Style Narratives
For busy teens, audio formats make environmental stories accessible during commutes, workouts, or while multitasking. The intimate nature of audio creates a powerful connection to protagonists’ environmental journeys.
The Power of Voice Acting in Environmental Stories
Hearing a character’s passion, frustration, and triumph in their own voice adds emotional depth to environmental messages. Audiobooks featuring multiple voice actors for different perspectives can simulate the community aspect of environmental movements, making listeners feel part of a larger chorus of change.
Building a Personal Environmental Fiction Library
Curating a collection of eco-activism stories creates a resource teens can return to when they need motivation or practical ideas. A personal library serves as both entertainment and activist toolkit.
Creating Thematic Collections
Organize potential reads by environmental focus—recycling and waste reduction, water conservation, renewable energy, environmental justice—allowing teens to dive deep into specific interests. This approach also helps them become informal experts who can recommend relevant stories to friends, multiplying the activist impact.
The Lending Library Effect
Encouraging teens to share these books with peers creates informal book clubs and discussion groups. These peer-to-peer conversations about environmental fiction often lead to collaborative action projects, as friends inspire each other to try activism strategies they’ve read about.
Integrating Eco-Fiction Into Educational Settings
Teachers and librarians can amplify the impact of environmental YA by using these stories as springboards for school-wide initiatives. The classroom provides a structured space to translate literary inspiration into concrete plans.
Literature Circles and Action Projects
Book clubs that pair reading with hands-on projects—like implementing a recycling system discussed in a novel or conducting a waste audit like the characters—reinforce the connection between story and reality. These integrated approaches show teens that fiction isn’t an escape from real problems but a rehearsal for solving them.
Cross-Curricular Connections
Environmental YA naturally bridges English, science, and social studies. A single novel can inspire data analysis projects (tracking school waste), persuasive writing assignments (proposals for sustainability initiatives), and civics lessons (understanding local environmental policy), making activism interdisciplinary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I tell if an eco-activism YA book will actually inspire me to recycle rather than just make me feel guilty?
Look for stories that spend as much time on solutions and character empowerment as they do on environmental problems. Check reviews for mentions of practical activism ideas, and preview the ending—hopeful resolutions with actionable takeaways indicate a book designed to motivate rather than paralyze.
Are there eco-activism stories for teens who aren’t into typical “nature” themes?
Absolutely. Many contemporary eco-YA novels set environmental action in urban environments, tech startups, or fashion industries. These stories appeal to teens who identify as city dwellers, gamers, or creatives rather than hikers, showing that sustainability is relevant to every lifestyle and interest.
What should I do if I feel overwhelmed by the environmental problems described in these books?
This is common and actually shows the book is resonating. The key is to channel that feeling into the smallest possible first step—like properly sorting your home recycling for one week or researching your school’s current waste policy. Many novels include characters experiencing similar overwhelm, so note their coping strategies.
Can eco-activism fiction help if my school or community doesn’t have recycling programs?
Yes, these stories are especially valuable in underserved areas. They often include templates for starting programs from scratch, tips for dealing with skeptical administrators, and examples of grassroots organizing that doesn’t require existing infrastructure. Use the protagonist’s journey as your blueprint.
How do I find eco-YA books that represent my cultural background?
Search for environmental fiction by authors from your community or featuring protagonists with similar identities. Organizations like We Need Diverse Books maintain resources for finding culturally specific environmental literature. Representation matters because it shows how your community’s values and traditions already include sustainability.
Is it better to read about fictional activists or real-life environmental heroes?
Both serve different purposes. Real-life stories provide proven models and measurable impact, while fiction offers emotional immersion and often more accessible entry points for teens new to activism. The most powerful approach is alternating between both—letting fiction inspire emotional investment and non-fiction provide detailed roadmaps.
What age is too young for eco-activism YA?
Most eco-YA is written for ages 12 and up, but many themes can be introduced earlier through middle-grade environmental fiction (ages 8-12). The difference is complexity—middle grade focuses on family and school solutions, while YA tackles systemic issues and includes more mature content. Match the book’s themes to the teen’s maturity level rather than just their age.
How can I start a conversation about these books with my environmentally skeptical friends?
Lead with the story elements rather than the environmental message. Talk about the mystery, romance, or character drama first. Once they’re engaged with the characters’ journeys, the environmental themes naturally emerge. Many eco-YA novels are compelling stories first and activist manuals second, making them accessible to any reader.
Do these books actually show how recycling works, or just why it’s important?
Quality eco-activism YA does both. The most educational novels include specific details about recycling processes—contamination issues, the difference between mechanical and chemical recycling, the economics of waste management. These details are woven into plot points, so you learn the mechanics naturally while following the story.
Can reading eco-activism fiction really make a measurable difference in my environmental impact?
Research suggests yes. Teens who read fiction featuring pro-environmental behaviors show increased environmental concern and are more likely to report adopting green behaviors like recycling. The effect is strongest when readers strongly identify with environmentally active characters, which is why finding protagonists who reflect your personality and circumstances matters so much.