I’m only 18, but I may have already ruined my life. If that sounds melodramatic, then I should mention that I’ll soon be spending sixty days behind bars.
Long story short, I was out driving around and messing with my phone when I should’ve been watching the road. I blew through a red light and collided with another car. Next thing I knew, I was being charged with reckless driving and negligent injuring.
I’ve already pleaded guilty and have been sentenced by the judge, who gave me a date by which I must self-surrender to the local jail. That date is now just a few days away.
I’m really scared right now, both about what jail will be like and about how all this will affect my future. I’m worried that I may have utterly derailed whatever future prospects I may have had.
Why did I have to be so stupid? Why couldn’t I have just waited until I was back on campus before responding to that text from my boyfriend? I wish I could take it all back, but I can’t. I’m stuck with having to deal with the consequences of my actions, as much as that’s gonna suck.
HOW TO HELP YOURSELF RIGHT NOW
- Thank you for reaching out to TeenCentral and telling your story.
- If you feel as though you need to talk to someone right now there is always someone available. You can always contact Crisis Help by texting “HOME” to 741741. Someone is always there to talk about some of the feelings that you could be feeling right now.
- It sounds like your situation is very unique, but is there someone that you can talk to about how you are feeling? It might not be as unique as you feel it is. As we get older, we do make mistakes. Some of those mistakes do have greater consequences than others, but that does not mean you have a failed future. It means you may have to work a little harder, but many people who come out of the judicial system come back more resilient, and open for change.
CONSIDER THIS
- There may be times when you need to use some coping mechanisms in the near future. Check out our TOOLS section. There might be some things that you might be able to use in your environment such as deep breathing exercises, or journaling.
- We often discuss journaling because it is honestly a great way to get out some feelings. You are using multiple parts of the brain for one journal entry which allows for you to calm yourself, but also process through what you are feeling.
- You may get a counselor in the system. Use this person! They are there to talk about how you are feeling and what has occurred. This would be a great way to process through what your feelings are at this time.
- Know that you are not alone, and there are people out there that can help you. Keep your head up and we wish you the best.
