Bulletin Board Post

School

Anxious About Senior Year

<div class="ExternalClass8F2152034AE9462FA2BD83350F9AF2F3">I'm writing today because I'm starting to feel hopeless again. There's not much that can make me happy anymore. I'm about to start senior year in less than a month, and the thought of having to do so keeps me up at night because it makes me so anxious. I haven't gotten the community service hours I need for a scholarship because I'm too anxious to go out and volunteer at a place, and I also just don't have the energy or the will for it. I don't have a job, which means at this rate I won't be able to afford anything in college, which isn't very far away. There's nothing I want to do with my life, I don't want to work, I don't want to do anything anymore, I just want to sleep. I'm afraid of having to face reality. I don't feel much of anything anymore, but when I do, it's usually nothing but pain or anger towards myself. </div>

<div class="ExternalClass58229684AE374214863849BDFD541A1C">Facing reality can be difficult. Life can be scary for so many reasons. We are glad you are reaching out to talk with us today about how you have been feeling. Many people find themselves in the same situation. Sometimes life's issues get all balled up and it can so overwhelming. It sounds like that is where you are at right now. So, what do people tend to do when it is so big that we just want to disappear?Many times we avoid it, sleep through life, and don't face any issue that arises along the way. It's like being on a scary rollercoaster and just squeezing our eyes shut and not seeing or really experiencing the ride. Does that sound about right? For most it is right on target. You can't ignore, sleep through it, or pretend like school, community service and life isn't happening. Let's talk about how to unravel that ball of issues and get back on track so that you aren't feeling so hopeless. Today, take an honest assessment of your life. Get out of bed, make it, get cleaned up, and find a place to sit comfortably with a notebook and a pen. Play some soft music or light a candle to create a calm space for yourself. Write down the areas of your life that seem so out of your control right now. You stated in your email that school, community service, a job, and your anxiety are all weighing heavy on you. So write down those taking a page for each. Then on each page ask yourself and answer these questions for each: <ol><li>What is this situation and what bothers you about it?</li><li>What have you tried to do to help you work through this?</li><li>What do you need to do with this situation?</li><li>What steps can you take and seems reasonable? </li></ol>Now, you might not be able to get through all of these today and answer each question to the fullest but give this a try. On another page, jot down some ways you have learned to deal with your anxiety and what mechanisms that have helped you in the past. As you go through this task, know that this isn't about being perfect . No part of your life will ever be perfect but it is about being aware of doing what is in your power and finding ways to improve and/or make plans to keep yourself moving forward and not getting stuck in this hole of hopelessness. Start being proactive in your life. Once you get everything written down, take some action. Find a task to follow through with and take the steps to make it happen. Talk yourself through it and get support from family and friends. So many teenagers are in the same or similar situation as you. Many people seem like they have it all together but in reality, they don't. They are struggling just as badly as you. So don't compare yourself to anyone. Be yourself and take the steps you need to work through this in a healthy way. Keep your notebook handy and refer back to it for ideas. Check out our tips page for helpful hints to keep you motivated and feeling better about what you are getting accomplished or trying to accomplish. <a href="/Pages/Tips.aspx">http://www.yourlifeyourvoice.org/v2/Pages/Tips.aspx</a>Know that we are here for you anytime. Reach out and talk with us by phone, chat or text as well. Our text hours have been extended so you might want to check that out as well. See those below. You don't have to go through this alone. Let your family know you are struggling and what you are doing to help yourself. Get their support. It can make a world of difference to have someone periodically check on you. Take this one day at a time. You won't fix this all in one day. Impossible. Start with the notebook today and see how far you get. You can do this!Take care, Naina, counselor </div>

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