Hi guys, my name is K and I’m 13 years old. I have PTSD and I’m homosexual. I’m gay and a transgender male.
I’m feeling lonely because no one understands what it is like to be trans and gay. Thanks for reading,
CONSIDER THIS:
- Being trans and gay can make you feel misunderstood and alone. You are strong for being yourself no matter what anyone thinks even though it can make life more difficult.
- If you need someone to talk to, you may head to the Teen Central website and click the Help tab to call a hotline like Trans Lifeline, Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender National Help Center or Trevor Project Lifeline among others. You can also click the Stories tab to read stories submitted by other teens, Tools tab for downloadable resources or the Learn tab then LGBTQ then Sexuality. You may also speak to a trusted therapist, school counsellor or religious leader.
- You can be positive by repeating positive affirmations to yourself when you feel down. Read inspirational quotes and write down a few things you’re grateful for in a daily journal. Find something positive to laugh at by drawing funny pictures, watching cartoons or reading comics.
- Being different makes you unique. If someone can’t see how special you are, they aren’t worth your time. You can find something worth focusing on by joining a school club, achieving your goals and living your own life the way you want to.
- No one has the right to judge another person for no good reason and bring them down. You can let negative people make you a stronger person. Be yourself no matter what because this is your right as a human being.
- You can express yourself in a healthy way and be yourself more with creativity. Creative activities include drawing, creative writing, painting, playing a musical instrument or listening to music among others.
- Doing meaningful activities like watching a family-friendly movie, reading a book like Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul, snuggling next to a pet, baking cookies or making holiday arts and crafts can help cure your loneliness.
- Being more spiritual can make your life more meaningful, encourage you to accept the things you can’t change, give you peace of mind, help you feel less alone and give you a sense of safety. Spiritual techniques include prayer, meditation and yoga. You may also attend church services.
- You can practice self care by taking care of your mind, body and spirit on a regular basis. Eat healthy meals at appropriate times, exercise regularly and socialize.
- Volunteering can give your life meaning, a sense of purpose and help you feel less lonely. You may also meet friends who share your goals and values. It’s unfair that not everyone is treated equally. You can help solve this problem by training to become a counselor for transgender youth, writing about transgender inequality, writing letters to those with depression or creating art to inspire empathy in others among other things. Besides this, consider fostering or adopting an animal from a local pet shelter. Animals can be loving companions who will care when no one else will as long as you give them unconditional love in return. Find volunteer opportunities online or locally by visiting websites like Volunteermatch.org.
- Knowledge is power. You can read this article from Helpguide.org called Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) for more information on how to deal with PTSD.
HELP YOURSELF:
- What can you learn from being transgender and gay, and how can what you’ve learned improve your life?
- In what ways can committing to living a positive lifestyle improve your life now and in the future?
- How can living a more meaningful life filled with people who care genuinely about you help you be more positive?
