My Journey: Battling with Mental Health as a High Schooler
- Menahal
- Jan 4
- 3 min read
My Journey: Turning 18 and Facing New Challenges
As I get closer to my 18th birthday, I can’t help but look back on the whirlwind that has been 2024. This year has been a huge turning point for me, marking the leap from being a teenager to stepping into adulthood. But let me tell you, it hasn’t been all smooth sailing. I’ve faced challenges that I never saw coming. One of the biggest hurdles has been dealing with mental health issues, especially those pesky bouts of depression. Balancing that with my desire to keep my grades up and have a social life has been a real rollercoaster ride, sometimes enlightening, sometimes overwhelming. I just always feel afraid that I am not doing enough since it is my last year of high school and I know I am never going to get this type of experience again, so I just wanna have it the best even though I know sometimes this cannot be realistic.
The Transition to Adulthood
Turning 18 is often painted as this exciting milestone, right? It’s when you get to embrace a whole new world of freedoms and responsibilities. But for me, it felt like a double-edged sword. Sure, there was excitement about being an adult, but there was also this heavy weight of expectations, both from myself and from everyone around me. I wanted to ace my classes, enjoy time with friends, and start planning for my future. But as the year rolled on, I started to feel that pressure really ramping up.
Facing Mental Health Challenges
Early in 2024, I started experiencing these waves of depression that seemed to hit out of nowhere. Some days, I’d wake up feeling completely drained and hopeless, while on other days, I could hang out with friends and focus on my studies. It was such a confusing mix of emotions! I often found myself doubting my worth and worrying about how I could keep up the image of being a high-achieving student while silently battling my mental health.
Maintaining High Grades
Even with all this going on, I was determined to keep my grades up. I’ve always taken pride in my academic performance, and the thought of slipping was honestly terrifying. So, I started to develop some coping strategies to help me manage my time and emotions:
Setting Realistic Goals: I discovered that breaking my workload into smaller, manageable tasks made a huge difference. It helped me focus on one thing at a time without feeling overwhelmed.
Seeking Support: I learned the importance of reaching out to teachers and friends when I needed help. Just talking about what I was going through made things feel a lot lighter.
Practicing Self-Care: I began to incorporate self-care routines into my daily life, like journaling and mindfulness exercises. These little moments really helped me relieve some stress.
Balancing Social Life
Trying to maintain a social life during this challenging time was another hurdle. I wanted to be there for my friends, but sometimes my mental health made socialising feel like a chore. I learned to be more selective about my engagements, focusing on quality over quantity. Spending time with those who understood my struggles made a world of difference. It helped me feel less alone and more connected, even when times were tough.
Lessons Learned
As I gear up to turn 18, I realise that this year has taught me some invaluable lessons about resilience and self-acceptance. I’ve come to understand that mental health is just as crucial as academic success, and it’s perfectly okay to ask for help when you need it. My journey hasn’t been easy, but it has shaped me into someone who is more empathetic and self-aware.
Looking Ahead
Looking forward, I feel hopeful. I know challenges will keep coming my way, but I feel more equipped to handle whatever life throws at me. Turning 18 isn’t just about celebrating a milestone; it’s about embracing life’s complexities and acknowledging that it’s okay to struggle. I’m committed to prioritising my mental health while still chasing my academic and personal goals.
In conclusion, 2024 has been a year of profound change for me. As I step into adulthood, I carry with me the lessons learned from my battles, ready to face whatever comes next with courage and resilience.
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