Hey there,

It sounds to me like you are depressed. Feeling hopeless is one of the signs. There are a few different ways to approach something like this; one of my favorite ways is to do something that makes you happy. Listen to music, read a book, go for a walk—whatever makes you feel at peace. Find your peace, and follow that feeling. One of my favorite tips from this website is to identify problems, but don’t dwell on them: https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/depression-tips.html. Something that I find helpful when I’m feeling this way is keeping a schedule. It gives me a reason to get out of bed, and stick with things that I know I need to get done.

Something that can also be very helpful is a support system. Having a close-knit group of people you can be honest about your feelings with can be a great help. Friends, family, or even your doctor can be your support system. Talking about something so personal can be really daunting. Here are some tips on how to discuss depressive feelings: https://www.time-to-change.org.uk/blog/how-do-you-tell-someone-that-youre-depressed. It is important to be honest with yourself, and others, about how you’ve been feeling lately. Sometimes, just getting the words out in the open can lift a weight off of your shoulders. Also, feel free to contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at any time by calling 1-800-273-8255. You can also visit https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org for more information.

Sometimes emotional repression is a defense mechanism we use to protect ourselves from feeling things. Sometimes, strong emotions can feel inconvenient. Suppressing emotions became a habit for me, so now I am learning to confront them. I find that asking myself how something makes me feel is a good start. I know it seems juvenile, but it is helpful. This gives you a chance to acknowledge what you are feeling, and why. Here is some more information on how to regulate your emotions: https://www.mindful.org/the-real-danger-of-suppressing-your-emotions/.

Hang in there!

Andrea