Good morning,
I hope this message finds you well. I would like to extend a warm greeting to the 13-year-old facing the most significant separation anxiety in their life.
First, let us review the situation based on your description.
1. The significant age difference between you and your family members. You are a 13-year-old child, your father is 55 years old, and your grandfather is over 80 years old. From this perspective, your father is a late bloomer.
The significant age difference has prompted some concern.
2. The anxiety you feel about ultimate separation. Despite their good health, the age difference causes you to anticipate that your family will eventually separate, resulting in the loss of past experiences.
As a result, you are particularly sensitive and anxious about the passage of time, and you find that each day seems to pass more quickly than the last.
3. How to address the facts and inner panic in a more constructive manner. Based on the facts and inner thoughts, it is causing you to feel negatively about the situation, which is affecting your studies.
Therefore, you are seeking guidance on how to effectively navigate these challenges and thrive in the face of adversity.
Secondly, we will examine the issue you have raised.
1. Insufficient sense of security during the growth period. In the current social climate, there is a growing trend towards marrying and having children later in life. This is reflected in the fact that there are numerous individuals of a similar age who have a significant age difference with their parents and grandparents.
Such families typically enjoy a relatively comfortable material lifestyle, with parents who are mentally mature and have accumulated a certain amount of wealth in their careers. Consequently, when the children are born, they are afforded the best of everything and have a very good environment in which to grow up.
When children are protected and grow up carefree, they may exhibit a more childlike spirit than others. However, as they age, their parents often appear to be aging, creating a noticeable gap between them.
At this time, children may experience a sense of psychological conflict and crisis. On the one hand, they may feel that they are still young and require the support of their parents. On the other hand, they may be concerned about their parents' aging process and the need to provide support as soon as possible. This can be described as an "insufficient sense of security during growth" or a "sudden feeling of being forced to grow up."
This is a psychological phenomenon resulting from an inherent truth, and I believe that individuals of a similar age will likely experience a similar response.
2. The fear of the "ultimate separation" is a common problem among humans. Your ability to ask this question demonstrates a level of maturity that is commendable. The topic you are concerned about is also a challenge that many philosophers and religious scholars have been grappling with for centuries.
The renowned contemporary psychologist Irwin Yalom identifies four fundamental existential concerns: inevitable death, profound loneliness, the need for freedom, and the absence of a clear purpose in life. Many individuals strive to comprehend the inevitability of death in order to find an explanation that resonates with their personal beliefs.
It is not detrimental to your development that you are experiencing distress at this early stage of your life. There are external and internal factors at play.
3. Understand and face the "ultimate separation." It is a source of concern because it is not fully understood, because it will result in a shift from "we" to "I," because it is not a choice, and because it may result in a permanent loss.
As a given, what can we do? Is it to fear it, to want to escape it needlessly, to pretend not to see it, or to face it while making the most of the present moment? I believe that through learning, we can make wise choices.
We can also broaden our understanding of life to mitigate this fear. From a holistic perspective, the Taoist view of life posits that life is a unified entity, shaped by the fundamental principles of the Tao. Birth and death are also part of this natural cycle. There is no reason to be afraid. From a generational standpoint, the Confucian perspective views life as a continuous stream, flowing from one generation to the next. As long as our legacy lives on in the hearts of future generations, we continue to exist.
4. Based on the aforementioned points, what actions and mindset should be adopted to address this issue? Primarily, there is a need for self-improvement.
The most effective way to address the unavoidable is to take the initiative. Your parents and grandparents are advancing in age, and you are currently 13 years old, a transitional age. Regardless of your family's current financial status, it is essential to pursue academic excellence and maintain a regular exercise regimen. You should actively engage in learning, both at home and beyond, acquiring knowledge about the world around you.
First, your family is still young and able to provide you with the necessary learning conditions. Second, as you become stronger, you will become less dependent on your parents and feel more secure. Third, your parents and grandparents will feel less worried and more relieved when they see your abilities growing day by day. Second, capitalize on the present.
The most effective way to control the unpredictable future is to seize the present moment, as it is in the present that the eternity of life is born. Many people desire to live forever, yet they lack the knowledge to truly value life. While it is not possible to extend each day to 25 hours, there are ways to make full use of the 24 hours we have.
Do not dwell on past experiences or fantasize about future scenarios. Instead, concentrate on the tasks that are currently relevant. In addition to your studies, it is beneficial to spend more time with your parents and family members, and to interact with them in a genuine and sincere manner.
Seizing the moment can provide an unexpected sense of strength. Third, treat and help others sincerely.
All relationships are subject to change. Family relationships are also formed between two people who originally did not know each other—parents and children. Therefore, while some relationships will naturally evolve and change over time, new relationships will also emerge.
Now that you have established your own circle of friends, you will eventually form your own family and establish new relationships. From this perspective, it can be said that others (us) are also part of our (others') happy lives.
I am a repository of knowledge and a fountain of ideas. I believe that you can start from a small seedling that is carefully nurtured, bravely accept the various challenges that nature and society have to offer, and before you know it, you will have become a tree with lush branches and leaves that can provide shelter from the wind and rain for others!
Comments
I can understand how you feel, it's really tough to see the people you love getting older. It's okay to be scared, but try focusing on the happy times you have with them now.
It sounds like you're feeling very vulnerable right now. Remember that your family loves you and wants you to be happy. Maybe talking to them about your feelings could help ease your mind.
Sometimes we worry too much about things we can't control. Try to cherish each moment with your family. They are likely just as concerned about losing you as you are about losing them.
Your thoughts are so deep for someone your age. Perhaps finding a way to express your feelings, like writing or drawing, can help manage these worries and allow you to concentrate on your studies.
It's natural to feel this way, but don't let fear overshadow your present. Your family might stay around longer than you think. In the meantime, try to enjoy every day with them.