Being A Teen Is A Nightmare:Everyone Asking "What Are You Going To Do?:No Job & No Money-Depression
Posted: Thursday, June 02, 2011
by Fran Larson
http://www.franniesquotes.com/
”Glenda, could we get an apartment together?” I desperately tried to keep my voice on at an even tone.
“I would like to do that but my parents are footing the bill for Tampa Business College. When I get a degree from the school, I could have an awesome job but until then, I don’t have the funds to pay half on an apartment. Anyway, aren’t you going to go to St Petersburg Jr. College?”
“Gotta go, now. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
That’s when I felt another black-out coming on. As I stood to answer the phone, everything went black and I couldn’t see. I knew if I just shut my eyes, it would be OK in a few minutes. The doctor said it was because I was a teen-ager although I really don’t know what that has to do with it.
"Are you ready, yet?”
“Yes, mother. I am all ready. I was just talking to Glenda on the phone.”
Mother had made me a new dress for my family graduation party. I loved it. It was a baby blue-aqua dress with puffy sleeves and a white lace bodice.
We went to my sister’s house. She was giving me a graduation party. It was just I, Mother and Daddy and my two sisters and my oldest sister’s husband. (She married when I was 11 years old.)
“What do you want to be? Are you going to college? “ My sister asked this as she placed some peanut butter cookies on the already full table that was decorated with all kinds of goodies.’
I began to feel ill. I felt a black-out coming on. Then I heard echoes over and over again by different voices of friends, teachers and family. Over and over these voices asked, “What are you going to do? Are you going to college?What do you want to be? “
The voices got louder and louder and I didn't know what to say. Why couldn't I just decide what to do? I feel so confused.
I felt completely alone because the only person that could answer that question was me and I didn’t know the answer.
Why didn’t I know the answer? How am I supposed to know? Why do I feel all alone? What is this new, empty feeling? What’s happening to me?
“Hon, you are talking in your sleep again. This time, you were flailing your arms and legs. Must have been some dream.” Jim was shaking me.
You read it right. I am still having nightmares about being a teen-ager. Here I am, years later, feeling those moments as if it were yesterday. I am a mother; a grandmother and still, I have nightmares about being a teen. It is one of the loneliest, most depressing times I have experienced. I had loving parents but they did not know what I was going through. I did not share my thoughts with them, so it was my fault. It didn't cross my mind to share my thoughts. I don't know why.
Let’s explore why teens are so unhappy.
· Hormones: There are hormonal changes at this age they cause a teen to be more emotional.
· Uneasiness about the future and not knowing what to do;
· Feeling pressure from society and family about the question, “what do you want to do?”
· Money issues and looking for a job (it is especially hard in our economy right now for teens to find a job).
· Feeling all alone. Not realizing that it does help to talk to others
There is Help, So Don’t Despair: Talk To Someone About Problems (Depression)
There are many people who you can talk to:
- a psychologist
- your school counselor
- your parents, or a trusted family member
- your family doctor
- your clergy
- a professional at a mental health center
Teens, please do not despair. I can tell you from experience that it does get better.
This Article has been viewed 65 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
No comments yet.We want your comments! If you can read this, you don't have javascript enabled, so you can't use this comment system. Please enable javascript.