Hello, question asker. I am Du Ying, a listening coach, and I am confident my answer will help you.
From your description, I can tell that after junior high school, you live on campus by yourself, facing various problems of puberty, including interpersonal relationships. You have many internal conflicts, and you long for the care and love of your loved ones, but you don't feel it yourself. You become indifferent, but you are not satisfied. You often feel useless and have suicidal thoughts. I give you a warm hug from afar and say to you, "My child, the problems you mentioned are encountered by many students. I can tell that you are already trying hard to find a way to improve, and you are actively seeking help.
Let's identify the root cause and explore more effective solutions.
Let's start by understanding what puberty is. After age 12, children enter puberty, with increased endocrine secretion and rapid brain development. The significant changes in the body make children in puberty emotionally unstable and prone to anger and impulsivity. Personality development also transitions from attachment to independence.
During this stage, some of the so-called rebellious behaviors of adults are actually a reintegration of the repressed parts before the age of 12. This is a crucial process in preparing for independence of character. It is also a process of beginning to explore and establish life views, world views, and values. This may involve thinking about philosophical questions such as why we are alive, where we came from, and where we are going. They do not agree with some of the previous concepts of their parents. They have their own ideas and are eager to prove that they are right.
They crave their parents' approval, understanding, and respect. They dislike the way their parents and teachers lecture them.
However, they know they should be true to themselves, but they're afraid to express themselves or afraid of damaging their relationships with their loved ones and teachers. So they suppress their feelings and thoughts. But if they don't do this, they will feel very uncomfortable, and they'll have a lot of internal conflicts and repression, as well as a lot of doubts.
After reading the above description of puberty, the questioner knows how he feels about it. He can think about what his situation is like. Is it just him?
You must face this stage. The following suggestions will be helpful to you.
First, recognize your true self. You said, "Studying away from home by myself, I was particularly socially anxious in junior high school. I didn't like to interact with strangers, like hailing a taxi, and I also resented the concern of my relatives and my mother-in-law, feeling that it was false and a burden." It's clear from this text that you're particularly afraid of interpersonal interactions. I'm curious: how did you get along with your parents when you were young?
I want to know how this social phobia developed. Did they not feel true happiness and love in their interpersonal communication from childhood to adulthood?
If you feel pain or unhappiness when interacting with your loved ones, you may choose to protect yourself by remaining silent and not expressing your feelings and thoughts. This is a natural response, but it is not the best way to handle things. The way we are now is gradually formed by our past experiences, how others treat us, and how we perceive them.
The questioner should recall and think about what they have experienced since childhood. This will help them understand why they have become socially fearful and indifferent to the concerns of their loved ones.
Second, express emotions and thoughts positively. You said, "I can feel that they really started to care about me, but I don't care anymore. I can't return the care they give me." You also said, "I don't feel sad or upset when they get sick or even die, but I wonder what kind of response is correct and polite." Because of this, you often think of the people who have always cared about you. However, you can't return their kindness to you, so you feel very depressed. You also feel sorry for them.
From this text, it is clear that you are already able to feel their care for you, but you are unable to feel the emotion of sadness. It is evident that you have suppressed the emotion of sadness.
I want to know how the questioner hid his sad emotions from childhood to adulthood. After experiencing something that made him very sad and upset, he hid it to never experience that sadness again.
You can't even feel sad when a loved one dies. You know this is wrong, and you blame yourself a little.
The questioner must find out why they have become what they are. They must also actively express their thoughts and feelings to those around them. This will ensure that they do not hide their emotions or become indifferent.
You can express yourself in a way that is non-violent, which will not damage the relationship, but will also allow others to feel their feelings, thoughts and needs, be true to themselves and improve their relationships. The formula for non-violent communication is: facts (without evaluation) + my feelings and thoughts + my needs and suggestions and hopes.
For example, you came to visit me. I know you care about me, and I expect you to visit me every week. Or what just happened made me feel sad. I hope it won't happen again. You should have communicated with me in advance and considered my feelings.
Third, maintain a positive attitude and find the meaning of life. You said, "I often feel that it is useless to be alive and that no one needs me." This is an extreme idea, but it's important to understand that you're not alone in feeling this way. Many people feel this way when they're under stress. It's natural to feel this way when you're facing challenges. However, it's not helpful to dwell on these feelings. You have to take control of your emotions. You have to take the college entrance exam. Once you take that exam, you'll feel better. You'll feel in control of your life again. You'll feel like you're going to live. This text shows that you're in a state of mind where you feel like you're going to die. You're struggling to control your emotions. You're looking for a way to make your life more positive and meaningful.
Life itself has no meaning. The process of searching for the meaning of life and giving it meaning is the most meaningful thing. The questioner should read the books "Living a Meaningful Life" and "Feeling Love" to learn to feel love and to find the meaning of life.
Nietzsche was right: "A man who knows why he lives can bear any life." Your question is meaningful. It solves your problem and inspires others.
The questioner will undoubtedly gain further experience and feel the meaning of their own life and find the direction of their life.
I am confident that the above suggestions will be helpful to the questioner. I am certain that the questioner will see the problems encountered now as opportunities for growth. I am sure that the questioner will be proactive and brave in facing them, and will soon find a way out of their spiritual dilemma and become the best version of themselves.
Comments
I can totally relate to feeling out of sync with family. It's like I've built this wall over the years, and even when they show they care, it's hard for me to let it in. Sometimes I wish I could just feel normal again, but it's as if that part of me is gone.
It's really tough when you're aware that your behavior affects others, yet you can't seem to change it. I know deep down they mean well, but it's almost easier to stay distant. It's not that I don't want to connect; it just feels too complicated now.
Every time I think about how I've distanced myself from those who love me, I get this sinking feeling. Like I'm letting everyone down, especially myself. I try to focus on my goals, like exams, but it doesn't erase the guilt or the emptiness.
The hardest part is pretending everything's okay when inside, I'm struggling to cope. I tell myself it's just a phase, but the fear of never being able to truly care again haunts me. It's exhausting constantly questioning whether I'm doing enough or being enough for them.