I’m 14; soon to be 15 years old.
CONSIDER THIS:
- Not being in control of your own life can make you feel worried and confused. You are strong for enduring your circumstances alone even though your only a teenager and have a lot to learn.
- If you need someone to talk to, you can head to the Teen Central website and click the Help tab to call one of the hotlines. You may also benefit from speaking to a trusted therapist. Click the Learn tab to learn more about issues you might face such as Anxiety, Depression, Self Injury or Suicide among others. You can gain a sense of belonging by clicking the Stories tab to read stories that have been submitted by other teens. The Tools tab has many downloadable resources that help you be more positive, track your anger, learn yoga poses or understand the signs of healthy and unhealthy relationships.
- Spirituality can help you have a sense of safety, feel less alone in life and accept the things you can’t change. Prayer, meditation and yoga can help you focus better, be calmer, have discipline and gain meaning in everyday life.
- Being a teen can make you feel misunderstood which can lead to feelings stifled by parents, teachers and other teens. Creativity can help you express your feelings in a healthy way, feel calmer and just be yourself. Activities you may want to try are drawing, painting, sculpting, creative writing, coloring in a coloring book, listening to music, playing a musical instrument or others.
- You can be more positive by repeating positive affirmations to yourself when you feel down. Write down a few things you’re grateful for in a daily journal. Have something to laugh at by reading a comic book, watching comedy movies or drawing funny pictures. Read inspiring quotes or stories about real life heroes to motivate yourself to get through your problems.
- Learning responsibility can help you feel more secure, have something positive to focus on and be more in control of your own life. Some responsibilities are getting a part-time job, taking care of a pet or babysitting among others.
- You can try focusing on doing your homework, having hobbies you enjoy and taking care of your body, mind and spirit to take your mind off negativity.
- Volunteering is a great way to bring meaning into your life, feel more positive and help others too. Some opportunities involve helping the environment, walking dogs at your local pet shelter or training to become a counselor among many others. Volunteermatch or similar websites can help you find a volunteer opportunity in your area or from home.
- Being a teenager can be the most difficult part of a person’s life. By finding ways to persevere through any harsh situations you face, you’ll become the person you want to be. Let negative people make you a stronger person by having a positive mindset and being understanding.
HELP YOURSELF:
- In what ways can maintaining positive friendships, taking care of your health and doing well in school help you be happy now and have a positive future?
- How can helping others through volunteering make you feel like your life matters?
- What can you learn from your negative experiences and how can this knowledge help you be a better person throughout the rest of your life?
