Dear Young People,
How are you? It’s me, hope. I’ve been waiting a long time to get your attention, some of you have been so caught up with your schoolwork, social media, Minecraft and friends. Others have been feeling stuck, sad, worried and lonely. I just wanted to tell you that I have been with you all along, through all those difficult moments.
I know there are times it’s difficult to notice me, like when your portion, exams and assignments get too much, you don’t have your friends to talk to or there are fights at home. Difficult times can make it very hard to see me, but I am here.
Many people misunderstand me by thinking that if I am there in their lives, it means they are going to always be happy – rainbows and unicorns, blue skies every day. Truth be told, by being in your life, I only try to help you see beyond those difficult moments to take you to another side. You can think of me like a candle during a power cut – I know you’d rather wish I was 4G wherever you go. I am here to bring light when it all seems dark. And the promise I’ll stay on till the power comes back.
I thought I’d share a few ways in which you can reach out to me when you feel like giving up or feel like life is too hard. Here goes; acknowledge what you are experiencing is hard right now, think back of a moment when you were amazing at life. Maintain a gratitude journal, jot down 3 things you’re thankful for every day, reading through this on a blue day can really help. Reach out to people who support you – talk don’t text. Practising mindfulness, even 5 minutes a day brings positive change. Sing! Join a choir or grab a hairbrush and belt it out in front of a mirror or in the shower. Exercise, scientifically proven to improve your mood – healthy body = healthy mind. Put on some music and dance. Do something creative, paint or draw. If all of these seem too hard to try, that’s okay, you can try reaching out to a counsellor and maybe understand what is keeping me away.
There’s so much I’d like to tell you, but I am going to end with a quote from a favourite book of mine written by Charlie Mackesy – “Sometimes your mind plays tricks on you. It can tell you you’re no good, that it’s all hopeless. But remember this, you are loved and important and you bring to this world things no one else can. So, hold on.”
With all my love,
Hope.