I'm afraid of losing.
I'm running for student council, and I'm terrified.
I'm afraid that if I lose, people will laugh at me or see me as a failure.
It feels like if I don’t win, something inside me will collapse — like a part of who I am will disappear.
I think about how much I’ve imagined myself succeeding, being respected, being seen.
And the idea of that future not happening makes me feel empty, almost like I don’t know who I am without it.
There’s pressure all the time — in my chest, in my mind.
Even small things make me overthink.
I feel like everyone is ahead, like I’m not doing enough, like I’m falling behind.
Sometimes I just want to quit, but at the same time, I can't.
Because if I do, it feels like I'm giving up on myself.
But staying also hurts.
It’s exhausting.
And the worst part is... I keep repeating the same patterns in my head.
Doubt. Fear. Harsh thoughts about myself.
Even though I try to move forward, they pull me back.
I feel like I’m stuck between who I am and who I’m supposed to be.
And I don’t know how to carry that anymore.
Any advice? I don't want to feel hurt when I lose, speacilly because I ll finish school in 2026 :(, and the elections are this month
@Theother172 congratulations on your courage to run for a student office. That takes a lot of stick-to-it-ness. You have the ambition to participate in the election process.
My parents told me "Win or lose does not matter - it is how you play the game." Elections are a little how life will be. Sometimes we get what we expect and sometimes not, but we can only do the best we can and no matter what anyone says about us, we tried and they probably didn't and if they did they should have the good sportsmanship to congratulate you on the fact that you participated.
By the way, when I was in school I thought everyone was thinking bad of me but I think most people are wrapped up in their own little world so that could be an exaggeration on your part.
Congratulations on trying. I am proud of your efforts.
@Theother172 what tends to be one thing that helps u not to overthink?
Listening to music I guess
hello friend! im a graduating student, and ive also ran for student council for a couple of years now. i understand your fears, and i am sure that many candidates have also felt terrified to run as well.
i understand your fear of losing, its something i too always worry about during election period. what helps me is trying to remind myself of the fact that no one will memorize what i say or do in my speech or while campaigning. all these people who have their eyes on me have their own lives, and me running for the student council is just the tiniest fraction of it. after the winners are announced, maybe a couple people will talk about it, but its never something they will continue to talk about until the end of time. i hope that eases your worries a bit.
on that note, there is alot more to your life than losing the elections. i understand why it feels like you might lose a part of yourself in the process, but times like these can remind us that there is more to your life outside of it. theres alot more to nurture outside of what we know and are used to, and losing can be an opportunity to strengthen who we are and find out who we can be.
on falling behind, i want to remind you that you are not. no one is ever falling behind the same way no one is ever ahead. we all have our own times to grow and bloom. and i know its hard to accept when youre just reading it through text, but i want to let you know that the pace you are going at right now is perfect. take it at your own pace, in your own time, focus on what you think feels the best for you to do at the moment.
carrying all of these emotions is the worst. its draining and exhausting, im wishing you the best of luck and sending you the warmest of hugs! if ive misunderstood anything you said or nothing ive said helps, i am very sorry.
and additionally!! i want to congratulate you (win or lose) for choosing to run for the student council!! it is a very brave and courageous act that i notice alot of students are too scared to do. through running for the council, you show not just your care for the school, but the passion, care, and dedication you have for your peers and schoolmates.
im very proud of you, and i am wishing you the best!
Oof this sounds like a lot of pressure. It seems like there’s something more to the fear of failing student council. Maybe there’s an attachment to a certain outcome that you pertain to it? Nonetheless realistically you will be fine if you lose. I know it’s hard to hear because we want to believe that everything will work out if it’s accord to the plan. But the deal is everything will work out regardless of what outcome. The fear of failure is something everyone deals with. It’s a hard thing to digest. But it happens. You sound like you’re still young. I just want you to know that you have a lot of time ahead of you and things will work in your favor. God bless.
@Theother172 be more afraid of never trying. Wishing you the best of luck 💜🥰
@Theother172
Same here Ibhad gone through same I was all alone then a man entered my life few years back made it beautiful, later on he left and leave me in broken pieces, since then I'm not able to handle myself, I'm all shattered. I've joined this platform to seek help:(
I literally beg him to stay in my life, I'm also afraid of loosing him
@Theother172 I know how it feels when you are not choosen even when you have put your whole heart and soul into making this thing possible. It feels like the whole world has destroyed Infront of your eyes and all you can do is just burn in it along with being happy for someone else getting it all. In this situation losing your hopes and desires is the worst you can do to yourself. Having a positive mindset will lead you like a light in darkness. But it's only you who can do it for yourself. Anyone's advice would be waste as it's only You who can do the best for yourself. Only you know yourself the best.
We need to have compassion for ourselves just like we show compassion for a friend. Would you beat up on a friend who had troubling thoughts or support them. That is what we can do for ourselves. Put your hand on your heart and say “I love you” to yourself. I deserve to be happy and I am good regardless if I win an election or not. My value comes from my higher power. Hope that helps.
We need to have compassion for ourselves just like we show compassion for a friend. Would you beat up on a friend who had troubling thoughts or support them. That is what we can do for ourselves. Put your hand on your heart and say “I love you” to yourself. I deserve to be happy and I am good regardless if I win an election or not. My value comes from my higher power. Hope that helps.
