Feeling Trapped
For just about a year now, I've felt increasing trapped in my circumstances. I'm quite aware that part of this is my fault. However, there's also so much thats simply out of my control. For starters, I'm a hard working student. This year alone I'm taking 5 AP classes and 1 college math class and participating in just about every after school activity I can in order to build an impressive academic resume. I'm my schools valedictorian and I do what so many people would consider to be a lot but it still never feels enough. Especially when considering that because of the area in which I live in, I have little to no access to actual meaningful and helpful programs that correlate with my future career. When I sit down and compare myself to those around me, I constantly feel that I'm so behind and aren't doing enough. I previously worked a job for two months but that's kinda it. Many of the places around me either don't want to hire me or won't pay me a decent wage. Getting payed less than $10 an hour is insane and I'm not leaving my house for that. My first ever job in fact, I was payed $7.25 an hour... despite this, I know every adult around me is looking at me expecting me to find another job and to finally get my license. I know these things are what's expected for someone my age to be doing but it doesn't make it any less stressful. I feel so much anxiety trying to drive a car, many people say that I'll get over the fear if I simply just do it but the thought of even trying to drive makes me panic and want to cry. Sometimes I just wish I was given a bit more patience and grace. I'm doing almost everything that's asked of me and yet what I'm not doing is the thing that I just can't seem to shake or let go of. On top of this, I want to do out of state college but have no access or resources to actual decent scholarships that would help cut down the cost. My parents think my academics is enough for many schools to consider giving me a full ride or close to one. However, I disagree, I'm just one of many valedictorians around the world, I'm not impressive or even that smart, I'm quite average in fact. There's no way that any school that I actually want to go to is gonna want to give me a good scholarship. I just don't feel enough or as if I'm doing enough, I feel like a failure and feel as if I'm failing myself and my parents. I'm not at all where I want to be in life and not in any aspect of my life. Sometimes I ask myself why I even bother to try. I see people who don't even put any work with much more fulfilling and successful life's. There's so much more going on in my life but I just don't know how to express it, how to stop feeling so trapped and overwhelmed but most of all, useless.
Hi, I'm sorry to hear that you're having a hard time dealing with so many issues. The pressure of all the expectations is real. I know how much it can drain a person, specially when they're trying their best to keep up. I can relate to the feeling, too. However, I want to tell you that your life is still yours. The journey is yours and yours alone. No matter what people say, they can't understand how far you've come. You've seen your own struggles more than anyone else. Taking small steps is still progress and your efforts totally matter. 🤍🌻
I know it's hard to feel so when everyone around you expects so much from you and you have the same expectations too. But, failure is a part of the journey. How many times we fall before we learn to walk? Don't push yourself too hard. Take a pause everyday and try to write down your thoughts. Things you do that you're proud of. Read them everyday, every month and every year. And you'll know how much you have grown. That's just one way. You can find your own.
It will take time. Things do take time. 🤍
And we don't know someone else's journey. I'd like to share something my mom tells me, just to give a perspective. She says people have bad phases in different stages of their lives. Some face it in childhood, others in adolescence or adulthood. We touch just a part of their lives.
So, there's no comparison. You're doing your best and trust me or not, it is enough. It's your journey and it is unique because you can't be them and they can't be you. Just keep improving. 🌸
Sending positive vibes your way. ✨