I found myself reading these myself tonight because I got to thinking about someone who died recently on me. we were very close and I have not wanted to accept it. I don’t want to believe it’s true. this is the first death I have ever experienced and I am taking it really hard. sometimes I feel like there is not enough in the world to keep me going. I want to sleep all the time and not be active in my life. I don’t want to die but I feel like I’m not enough for this world. I’m too fat and I’m ugly. I’m only 14. do you know what it’s like to be 14 and weigh more than half of the girls you know? it sucks and I want to be skinny. I’m tired of no sleep. I’m tired of being hungry. people always tell me “oh you don’t weigh that much” or “your weight does not matter,” but it matters to me and I want to be normal.
HELP YOURSELF
- Grieving somebody’s death is a very challenging experience, especially when you are going through it for the first time. Everyone reacts differently to significant losses, so remember to be patient with yourself and the many emotions you may be feeling. Thank you so much for your openness in sharing your particular story with the TeenCentral community.
- If you ever find yourself feeling overwhelmed, please remember that those feelings are normal, but it is also SO important to seek help! One resource that is always available is the National Suicide Hotline (1-800-273-8255). Another great option is just texting “HELP” to 741741 in order to chat with somebody who can offer support during those tough moments.
- Since this is the first time grieving the loss of somebody close to you, you may have many questions (and maybe even some fears) about what you are experiencing. The “Learn” tab has an entire section dedicated to “Grief and Loss” that may offer useful information and suggestions that will help you navigate this challenging experience.
- Also- is there anyone that you can reach out to to talk to about your thoughts and feelings? A trusted adult or an older peer that can be there to listen? Getting those feelings out can instantly ease your mind.
CONSIDER THIS
- Some people who have lost somebody close to them find it helpful to honor that person through some act of remembrance. Perhaps you could write a letter to your loved one or create some type of artwork to memorialize that person? During these times when so many people cannot gather together to grieve in a group, it may be even more helpful to find a way to express your feelings through a creative outlet.
- Sometimes when we lose somebody, we also lose sight of the importance of caring for ourselves. Losses can even trigger a string of negative thoughts that can seem inescapable. Although it may be challenging to do at this time, can you think of an activity or hobby that has made you happy in the past? If you can dedicate a bit of time to self-care every day, you may find that looking forward to that little moment of happiness will help you to get through all of the other tough times.
- Sometimes people try to offer helpful comments to boost our self-esteem, but they only seem to negate the feelings that we are experiencing. On the “Learn” tab, there is an entire page on “Body Image” that includes several tips on things YOU can do in regards to your feelings about your appearance. If you want to be more healthy, it can be helpful to find a fun and engaging way to stay active like yoga, dancing, or zumba. Dance party anyone?
