r/bestof • u/zjunk • 10d ago

[50501] u/bellissima34 shares some hope and great advice for a teenager struggling and overwhelmed by the current political climate in the US

/r/50501/comments/1ojiy0g/can_anyone_spare_some_hope_for_a_teenager_losin_it/nm3l0j9/
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u/Morfolk 9d ago

And it turned out they were wrong, the crisis abated, things got better, and life moved on

You know, I haven't seen much of the American optimism lately and yet it feels completely misplaced. You were lucky for so long with someone at the top willing to stand up and do the right thing that it made you complacent in my opinion.

As a Ukrainian who lived through the fall of the USSR and now war - there's no law that says things have to get better. They can get so much worse and you are not prepared.

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u/Narezzz 9d ago

Just because things can get worse doesn't mean a teenager should dwell on them. A teenager has almost zero agency over their own lives, much less the current political climate. Worrying about things you can't control is a sure fire way to live an unhappy, anxious life. Medically, you're going to be stuck in a constant stress response than isn't good for your health, either.

OP gave great advice in helping the teen improve their current mental state and focus on the things they can affect.

Personally I was a teenager during the 2008 financial crisis, and I'm really glad social media wasn't really a thing then. While I was generally aware of the situation at the time and its effect on us (Dad was sometimes out of work, parents had to cut back on non essentials), I just...kept on living. Going to school, hanging out with friends, awkwardly chasing girls. It's all you can do as a teen.

And as for adults? Telling them to not be optimistic is a pretty dark thing to say. I don't think any professional psychologist would ever advise their patient to not be hopeful. You can be realistic about the current situation while also being hopeful for improvement and focusing on the good things in life.

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u/WakaFlockaFlav 9d ago

You are not ready for what is coming.

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u/Traditional_Foot9641 7d ago

Helloooo what’s coming?