Hello, dear child!
We all faced the same challenges when we were growing up.
I'm happy to go through this with you and I'm confident it will be of some small inspiration to you.
1. Understand the characteristics of this period.
You are 16 years old and in adolescence, according to Erikson's theory of eight stages of human development.
Adolescents are prone to many internal conflicts.
They begin to think independently and long for independence, but in reality, they still need to rely on their parents at this stage.
On the other hand, they are gradually maturing physically, and their psychological development sometimes cannot keep up with their physical development, which also leads to many conflicts.
As you said, you were a good boy. When you entered high school, you tried really hard.
However, you may experience moments of confusion and feel guilty about wasting time.
It is normal to have romantic fantasies and so on.
Relax. This is determined by the stage we are in, so don't be too strict with yourself.
Everyone goes through this stage, and there's a lot of variation from person to person.
You must form a self-identity during this period. You need to know yourself.
You will think about what kind of person you are, your relationship with society, and have a relatively stable and continuous understanding of this.
2. About guilt.
You need to understand that you are not to blame.
You said, "I've been feeling guilty a lot lately."
Guilt is an emotional experience that occurs when an individual does something wrong. This is when they violate a moral norm that is recognized by society or personally identified with. It is a negative experience that points to the self, and the individual takes responsibility for it.
Think back and identify any high expectations you have of yourself, such as not reading romance novels or wasting time.
You want to learn more, and you will. Your body is holding you back, but you will overcome it.
Your parents love you, but they also teach you to be strong and that the world is cruel.
You feel there is a gap between your current state and your ideal state, and you refuse to behave in this way, even though you feel guilty.
Let me be clear: we are all influenced by our families, but as we grow up, some of our parents' ideas are not right or suitable for us.
It is also normal to like the opposite sex and have fantasies about love at this time.
Don't judge yourself.
When you want someone to hug you, you're not being pretentious. You have a normal need.
Sometimes, we feel powerless or helpless inside, and we know that those who love us will give us strength and support.
If you have these thoughts, don't demand that you don't think about them. Allow yourself more. This is a process of exploration that will help you get through this stage more easily.
3. You need to feel secure.
It is normal for a child your age to "not want to or not be able to talk to others."
We don't talk about it because we're afraid others won't understand or that our parents have their own ideas.
Digest it a little bit by yourself.
Asking questions here is the best way to do this.
You can listen to different voices, and there will be plenty of people to chat with.
Safety is a subjective feeling.
Safety mainly includes:
Physical safety, financial safety, and emotional safety.
Tell me what you feel insecure about at the moment.
Tell me, do you feel insecure in terms of your physical safety and financial security? These are the two main factors that ensure your survival.
When we feel insecure, we feel alone, threatened, in danger, anxious, and worried that others may hurt us.
The world has cruel aspects, but it doesn't have to be like that.
Some relationships will be hypocritical, but there will also be sincere and friendly ones.
You must explore and grow slowly.
Give yourself more time and learn to be your own strongest supporter, not a judge.
Understand yourself and know that you are good enough. You can improve at anything you put your mind to.
Allow yourself to work towards the direction you want. The more you allow yourself, the more you can do.
You've got this!
Comments
I totally get what you're saying. It's tough when you feel like you're trying your best but still end up feeling lost. High school can be so overwhelming, and it's hard to balance everything. Sometimes I just want to take a break and not worry about expectations, but it feels like there's always something else to do.
It sounds like you've been through a lot. I think everyone has those moments where they feel guilty for taking time off or indulging in things that might seem unproductive. But it's okay to need a break sometimes. Maybe finding a way to express these feelings without worrying about judgment could help. Writing or art can be really therapeutic.
The pressure from parents and the fear of disappointing them can weigh heavily on us. I know how that feels. It's as if we're constantly walking on eggshells, afraid to let them down. Sometimes, it's easier to keep things bottled up rather than risk adding to their concerns. But it's important to find someone, even if it's not family, who can offer a listening ear.
Feeling isolated and not having someone to talk to is one of the hardest things. It's like carrying this invisible burden that no one else can see. I wonder if there's a way to gradually open up to someone, even if it's just a little bit at a time. Trusting people can be scary, but it's also necessary for our mental health.
Your parents sound like they care deeply about you, but it's understandable that you don't want to add to their worries. It's a tough position to be in. Maybe finding a counselor or a mentor outside of your family could provide some relief. Someone who understands the pressures you're facing and can offer unbiased support.