Many young adults I’ve worked with have described this time as a sort of in-between or limbo experience. I can relate to that when I think back to my late teens and early 20s.
We deserve to be celebrated, treasured, and affirmed. We need and want people and spaces that do see us and love us wholly.
The idea of “not enough” is a manifestation of lack mentality or scarcity mentality. When your thinking is focused on the ways that something or someone is “not _____ enough,” you are stuck in scarcity thinking.
Feeling our feelings is an important practice. AND we sometimes need to help ourselves make a shift out of the heaviness or intensity of our feelings.
Humans have needs, and when someone else (your teen, parent, partner, friend, colleague) expresses their needs, it doesn't mean you are doing anything wrong. It just means they have needs.
Friendship qualms, questions, concerns, and curiosities are one of the most frequent topics of conversation in my sessions with young people.
You are probably already doing some things that show self-compassion. The key is to be mindful and aware of how and what you’re telling yourself when you’re going through a hard time.
As I navigate uncertainties and insecurities, some of the best medicine has been being with myself. But, like, really being with myself.
When you hear the word gratitude, what thoughts/feelings/beliefs come to mind? When you hear the word appreciation, what thoughts/feelings/beliefs come to mind?
Self-love is not a destination. It’s a relationship. And like all relationships, it requires time, attention, care, and practice.