I don’t know if you’re looking for advice, or your situation exactly. And this is coming from an ambivert, so take it with a grain of salt. But when I was feeling really stuck and blah with life a couple years ago, I started doing stuff (I know, basic advice… but it works!) Change up routine. Go to your local library for school, and get a study room if you need quiet. Do math instead of English first. Sit on the grass. Get a job somewhere so you can see new stuff and get money in the process. Take up a new hobby. Painting. Sewing. Unicycle riding. Join a book club. Find a writing conference to attend, or a poetry group, or anything you want, that interested you, and that won’t drain you. They can be some really good ways to find that irl /person/.
Being in the space between kid and teen, high schooler and free college student is hard, and I get it. College is like my North Star right now too—it’s a promise of connection, of having My Group, and finding My People. But for now, I have to find that here.
And it’s taken a while for me. I’m still finding it. I don’t have any real IRL friends—I’ve got some great online ones, and some good acquaintances. But you’ve just gotta keep going. Say yes to opportunities. Listen to yourself. Know your limits of your mental space, but also get out of your comfort zone. As humans, we aren’t meant to be still all the time, which is why it’s so hard when it feels like we are. But sometimes, even a little change can help.
(Also therapy. If you can get therapy, and find a good therapist, that could do a world of good. It took me about four tries, but my current therapist has helped me /so/ much.)
I don’t know if you’re religious, but I’ll be praying for you. Hope this helps.
“If you’re going through hell, keep going.” - Winston Churchill
In the words of Winnie the Pooh, “doing nothing often leads to the very best of something.”
I understand this, Jack. I was just telling my mother that this weird in-between of summer before I leave the home is feeling very full of nothingness. Moving on feels soon and far all at once. But I’m right alongside you, adventuring for the “something” woven in-between the “nothing.” I’m sure it’s waiting for us where the lost things go. ☺️
Jack, when can you dual enroll? I think that will help a lot! You are expressing the concerns I have had about homeschooling for high schoolers! I think socialization is important especially for your teen years!
wow jack, you explained this so well. i moved out of state to the another coast of the world for work. and i feel exactly like this post. i have always wondered if other ppl feel the same and if so, in what context! it’s like im missing out on so much. i want more connections like actual, genuine connections, but how? i thank you for putting this into writing and allowing others to connect to at least you!
I think what you are feeling is normal for this time of year. Track (was soccer) is over. Co-op is over. School is mostly over. Don’t worry as swim starts in two weeks so you’ll see people hours a day, every day 😊 Also, we can do pool meet ups, and other fun things with friends. You are only a few months from being able to work, harder workload, etc. Not sure if that makes you feel better❤️
Something completely random but that mighttt help is reading "Do Hard Things" By Alex & Brett Harris. It's super inspirational and as soon as you read it you'll have this urge to go do hard things *nodnods*
Anyway, I hope that helps! I feel this like SO much. Amazing post!
mm i completely get where ur coming from with this. last year i was in a veryyyy similar spot, but i’m an extrovert and a huuuge part of figuring my life out again was learning to be okay being alone, and that being alone does not equal being lonely.
i think the best thing to do right now is to find people. clubs are a really good way to do this (i recommend looking at your library, libraries always have clubs for teens). or if ur into music look for community bands. also like it’s almost summer and summer camps/programs are a great way to meet people who are likeminded.
you seem like your floating. in an in between state of everything right now. and yeah, the idea of college definitely offers a way “out” or a new start, but…two things.
one, ur a freshman. you still have three years ahead of you before college. and i’m NOT going to say “u have so much time!! use it!!!” bc it’s not a lot of time. but…it’s a substantial enough amount that solely relying on college as ur way “out” isn’t a good plan, bc what are you going to do while you wait? stay floating?
two. idk if anyone has told you this bc no one rly told me, but…you don’t have to go to college if you don’t want to. like, yeah a college degree can be helpful (or necessary) depending on ur
career, but don’t go if you’re just doing it bc people say you have to.
anyways. i wish you the best of luck with finding your people and your place. <3
I think this is common. I was homeschooled too. I'm introverted. But yes, I still desired more. I had two friends, and one long distance, but at 16/17 I wasn't driving myself places, and connecting was hard. It's natural to want authentic and meaningful connection. Even Jesus had 12 disciples. I remember journaling my longing for friends after I attended an acquaintance's graduation. The amount of family and friend support they had was so touching, and I longed for that. Little did I know, that same day, events were being orchestrated by God for companionship and meeting an awesome friend group that became probably some of the best years of my life for the next couple years.
Hang in there. I don't know if you're a believer, but God has a plan for your life, and a purpose, if you will follow it! He knows our needs and longings, and it'll come, sooner or later. But friendships aren't everything, and neither are relationships. While a few of those people are now close connections, many I don't see anymore, and a romantic relationship that came out of it caused me heartbreak the last few years. But I've learned who solid friends are, I've learned God's friendship, and I've learned I'm still making friendships as I go on! Life is good. God is good. Be encouraged!
Ha ha, um, I'm just a random person from Crazy Writing Week. I asked for advice on starting a blog and then someone else tagged you and you gave me some advice and then I followed your blog just cause.
I feel you dude *offers chocolate*
I don’t know if you’re looking for advice, or your situation exactly. And this is coming from an ambivert, so take it with a grain of salt. But when I was feeling really stuck and blah with life a couple years ago, I started doing stuff (I know, basic advice… but it works!) Change up routine. Go to your local library for school, and get a study room if you need quiet. Do math instead of English first. Sit on the grass. Get a job somewhere so you can see new stuff and get money in the process. Take up a new hobby. Painting. Sewing. Unicycle riding. Join a book club. Find a writing conference to attend, or a poetry group, or anything you want, that interested you, and that won’t drain you. They can be some really good ways to find that irl /person/.
Being in the space between kid and teen, high schooler and free college student is hard, and I get it. College is like my North Star right now too—it’s a promise of connection, of having My Group, and finding My People. But for now, I have to find that here.
And it’s taken a while for me. I’m still finding it. I don’t have any real IRL friends—I’ve got some great online ones, and some good acquaintances. But you’ve just gotta keep going. Say yes to opportunities. Listen to yourself. Know your limits of your mental space, but also get out of your comfort zone. As humans, we aren’t meant to be still all the time, which is why it’s so hard when it feels like we are. But sometimes, even a little change can help.
(Also therapy. If you can get therapy, and find a good therapist, that could do a world of good. It took me about four tries, but my current therapist has helped me /so/ much.)
I don’t know if you’re religious, but I’ll be praying for you. Hope this helps.
“If you’re going through hell, keep going.” - Winston Churchill
thanks, z. i love this <3 🙇
Anytime <3
In the words of Winnie the Pooh, “doing nothing often leads to the very best of something.”
I understand this, Jack. I was just telling my mother that this weird in-between of summer before I leave the home is feeling very full of nothingness. Moving on feels soon and far all at once. But I’m right alongside you, adventuring for the “something” woven in-between the “nothing.” I’m sure it’s waiting for us where the lost things go. ☺️
how did you manage to capture exactly what i’ve been feeling omw I GET THIS SO MUCH
i am all-knowing 🥸
apparently
I feel this! I'm also homeschooled and I only get to see my friends a few times a week. A lot of time I just stay home bored. Great post, Jack!
Jack, when can you dual enroll? I think that will help a lot! You are expressing the concerns I have had about homeschooling for high schoolers! I think socialization is important especially for your teen years!
i think i'll start dual-enrolling in my junior year? and yes, it's definitely something i'm looking forward to :)
What are you now? I think the other person who replied had some good advice too! Hang in there! ♥️
wrapping up my freshman year right now 🫠
I feel for you Jack.
wow jack, you explained this so well. i moved out of state to the another coast of the world for work. and i feel exactly like this post. i have always wondered if other ppl feel the same and if so, in what context! it’s like im missing out on so much. i want more connections like actual, genuine connections, but how? i thank you for putting this into writing and allowing others to connect to at least you!
ugh i hate that, but im glad you resonated with this. here’s to making connections and hopefully doing something with our lives lol 🥂🫶🏽
Thinking of/ praying for you, Jack!!! :D
I think what you are feeling is normal for this time of year. Track (was soccer) is over. Co-op is over. School is mostly over. Don’t worry as swim starts in two weeks so you’ll see people hours a day, every day 😊 Also, we can do pool meet ups, and other fun things with friends. You are only a few months from being able to work, harder workload, etc. Not sure if that makes you feel better❤️
Oof this is so relatable T-T
Something completely random but that mighttt help is reading "Do Hard Things" By Alex & Brett Harris. It's super inspirational and as soon as you read it you'll have this urge to go do hard things *nodnods*
Anyway, I hope that helps! I feel this like SO much. Amazing post!
tysm! and i'll have to look into that book (:
mm i completely get where ur coming from with this. last year i was in a veryyyy similar spot, but i’m an extrovert and a huuuge part of figuring my life out again was learning to be okay being alone, and that being alone does not equal being lonely.
i think the best thing to do right now is to find people. clubs are a really good way to do this (i recommend looking at your library, libraries always have clubs for teens). or if ur into music look for community bands. also like it’s almost summer and summer camps/programs are a great way to meet people who are likeminded.
you seem like your floating. in an in between state of everything right now. and yeah, the idea of college definitely offers a way “out” or a new start, but…two things.
one, ur a freshman. you still have three years ahead of you before college. and i’m NOT going to say “u have so much time!! use it!!!” bc it’s not a lot of time. but…it’s a substantial enough amount that solely relying on college as ur way “out” isn’t a good plan, bc what are you going to do while you wait? stay floating?
two. idk if anyone has told you this bc no one rly told me, but…you don’t have to go to college if you don’t want to. like, yeah a college degree can be helpful (or necessary) depending on ur
career, but don’t go if you’re just doing it bc people say you have to.
anyways. i wish you the best of luck with finding your people and your place. <3
I think this is common. I was homeschooled too. I'm introverted. But yes, I still desired more. I had two friends, and one long distance, but at 16/17 I wasn't driving myself places, and connecting was hard. It's natural to want authentic and meaningful connection. Even Jesus had 12 disciples. I remember journaling my longing for friends after I attended an acquaintance's graduation. The amount of family and friend support they had was so touching, and I longed for that. Little did I know, that same day, events were being orchestrated by God for companionship and meeting an awesome friend group that became probably some of the best years of my life for the next couple years.
Hang in there. I don't know if you're a believer, but God has a plan for your life, and a purpose, if you will follow it! He knows our needs and longings, and it'll come, sooner or later. But friendships aren't everything, and neither are relationships. While a few of those people are now close connections, many I don't see anymore, and a romantic relationship that came out of it caused me heartbreak the last few years. But I've learned who solid friends are, I've learned God's friendship, and I've learned I'm still making friendships as I go on! Life is good. God is good. Be encouraged!
Wait, Jack, are you not doing Crazy Editing Week? I assumed that since you did Crazy Writing Week, you'd participate in CEW.
who is u
Ha ha, um, I'm just a random person from Crazy Writing Week. I asked for advice on starting a blog and then someone else tagged you and you gave me some advice and then I followed your blog just cause.
oh lol. yeah im not doing cew this year bc i dont rly have anything to edit 🫠
Meh yeah me neither, but I figured I might as well take the chance to get a bit better at my writing
like just doing it for the videos and stuff?
Yep!