Angst
“I want you to go back to reflect on your teen self and ask what would have helped you?” the Teen Camp Coordinators challenge.
AAAHHHH NOOOO! don’t make me go there!
Grateful I survived those eenie years as not all of my peers did
Here it is Teen angst revisited so I can glean gems to help me mentor .
We are on the road to no where
This was the David Burnie song that my high school year group graduated with. It was the year we did T.A. E. or Tertiary Admission Exam – 2 years study to be examined on. Then if we made the mark we could apply for our dream career pathway. That pathway was imagined yet to be materialised. 10 of us traveled by bus for over an hour to our high school by our final year there were 2 of us remaining.
“a goal without a plan is just a wish’
These where the words Australia’s first Winter Olympics Gold Medallist Aireal skier, Alisa Camplin spoke when recently addressing us at a high school. Alisa spoke with enthusiasm and determination of her detailed plan to become an Olympic Gold Medallist. It resonated so true for me, I loved the diagram with the time to achieve skills and the summit being the Winter Olympics.
As a teen I was tooo focused on the plan and forgot the joy of the journey.
The dream was there, the hours of study, angst, angst, angst over grades withdrawing to the library – yep NERD that was I. The dream castle lost its foundations in the reality of results.
non attachment and adaptation
Bubble gum in hair, shoe laces being tied to the bus chair, sarcastic cutting slurs and isolating tactics I survived. There were those that let me soar.
Others that burst my bubble.
I created walls to protect from the barbarians that I felt under seige from.
These barriers fell as I left the teen angst behind. They became porous, unnecessary.
To bite the hook
An inciendiary barb would arc in my direction my sensitive ears attune to only hear the negative.
The choice to bite or cut the barb or ignore it I did not consider. My silent (or not so when stomping) sullen, passive aggressive stance the hallmark of my teen attitude.
Cornered
My stance could have me stuck in a corner with short sighted vision.
Fortunately there were people that could see the obstacles I encountered and navigated my course to flow again.
CAUTION Susanjane Morison
Caution, watch out, what if…. FEAR factor ruled
My awareness was blinded by fear. So if I had the chance to talk to my teen self I would say “Trust yourself, drop fear “.
Pulling my head out of the hole
So that which I thought I had buried deep, deep into the recesses of my teen brains I have found has a home to ways of thinking that still apply.
Treasures from reflection
What was buried is coming to the sunlight to hone my compassion for those I camp with.
Treasures are what I concealed and am yet to uncover. Perhaps my mentees will bring there spade and bucket for it is a process of discovery for us.
Support for Youth
For those that need professional support here are some links
https://www.youthbeyondblue.com
https://www.missionaustralia.com.au
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