futurzoovet, 15

Stuff Going On

futurzoovet, 15

I don't know why, but for some reason, I am just crying. It feels good to just cry. I am not sure if this has to do with things going on at home, things at school, or missing my great grandparents. I just want a hug. I feel more accepted when I am at my local zoo volunteering than I do in my own house. I just want to go back to public school, but my mom has said "no" more than once to me about it. Oh, I just want a hug, and not one of those half friend hugs. No, I want a full minute hug. I feel like I am on the verge of going insane with everything going on and then trying to juggle having a social life also. Ugh! I just wish that I was out of here and in college already. But that won't be for another three years. Also, I asked my mom what we are going to do for my birthday. My mom said nothing because she is too stressed out right now to do anything. So now, I am signed up to volunteer on my birthday to decorate the zoo for Christmas. I am just so sad.

Futurzoovet you are understandably feeling unhappy about your situation. You are trying to juggle school, volunteering, and your social life, without much support from your family. Sometimes you feel as if you can’t cope with everything, and you get depressed about it.
Sometimes, a good cry can help when you are feeling overwhelmed by your emotions. However, if you find yourself crying uncontrollably, or often, it may be a sign that you need some help. Sometimes feelings of sadness and depression can keep you from doing what you want to do. If you feel that you are depressed, consider speaking to an adult about it. Your mom is busy, but she loves you. If you tell her how you are feeling and that you think you need help, she may be able to get you some help. You might want to start by telling her how sad you are that you are volunteering on your birthday instead of celebrating with your family.
It sounds as if both you and your mom have a very stressful life right now. Some people find that identifying the sources of their stress and eliminating some of them can really improve their life. Consider making a list of your personal stresses and then brainstorming about how to get rid of some of the causes. You may find that you need to cut back on some activities. If public school is really stressing you out, consider how you might be able to convince your mom to let you go to a different school. Presenting her with a thoughtful list of your difficulty with school and some possible solutions may help her realize how much school is upsetting you.
When you are feeling a little down or stressed out, consider ways to make yourself feel better. A hug is a great idea. So is talking to someone about how you are feeling. Some people find that writing down their feelings helps them feel better. Think about keeping a journal or going online to Teencentral.net and sending in a story. Sometimes people find that exercising for twenty minutes, listening to music, or taking a bath helps their mood. Find out what activities make you feel more relaxed. The next time you feel sad or stressed, you could try some.