When Life Sucks and You Feel Like S–t
Life sucks sometimes, and all of us at one time or another, feel s—-ty. This can mean different things for different people.
Why you might be feeling s—-ty
Sometimes it’s hard to pin point why you’re feeling shitty. Identifying the factors that are causing you to feel this way might help you work out how to deal with it. Here are some reasons you think life sucks and you feel like s—t: stress or anxiety, grief or loss, depression and other mental illnesses, family problems, problems at school, relationship or friendship problems, not eating well, not getting enough exercise, not getting enough sleep, using drugs or alcohol, being sick, and hormonal changes (especially for women during their menstrual cycles).
What to do if you’re feeling s—-ty
Here are some ideas that might stop you from blowing up and help you get to a happier place.
• Get informed. Once you figure out what might be causing you to feel shitty, you can do something about it. On the ReachOut site, you’ll find tons of info on different issues, including depression, family and relationships.
• Talk to someone. Talk to someone you feel comfortable with, like a friend, family member, teacher, or counselor, can be a great way of expressing your feelings and figuring out why you’re feeling this way.
• Chill out. This might include going for a walk or listening to your favorite music, reading a book, going to the movies, or whatever works for you.
• Express your feelings. Writing down your feelings or keeping a journal can be a great way of understanding your current emotions. Express your feelings in a way that won’t cause bodily damage to yourself or another person. Try yelling or crying into a pillow, dancing around the room to loud music or punching a pillow.
• Look after yourself. Take time out to spoil yourself by doing something that you usually enjoy. Even though you might not feel like it, exercising and eating well can help too. Eating well and getting plenty of sleep is important.
• Avoid drugs and alcohol. Try not to use alcohol or other drugs (including lots of caffeine or other energy-boosting drinks) in the hopes of feeling better.
If you need someone to talk to now. Try calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or the Boys Town National Hotline at 1-800-448-3000 if you would like to talk to someone right now. Both hotlines have trained volunteers ready to listen 24/7.
Acknowledgement: This fact sheet was originally developed by youth and staff at ReachOut.com, a website that helps teens get through tough times.
https://www.wernative.org/articles/when-life-sucks-and-you-feel-like-s-t
