Discuss matters related to personal health and relationships in this forum. However, please keep it sensible and remember that people of all ages can view these forums. Remember, all advice is unprofessional.
Right, so my mum just came into my room for a little 'chat'. Basically, she feels that I'm p*ssing my life away. "You just sit around reading/studying/watching TV when you could be putting on make-up and going out, doing things ... You're wasting yourself."
My friends fall into one of two categories: they're either XBox mad and talk about nothing else, or hang around the town all day, drinking alcohol until they throw up or get taken to A&E (I've seen the MySpace pictures and heard the stories to prove it). They're very clever and always get straight As and are going to be lawyers/doctors and stuff, while I want to be a writer and just want to do productive things with my time like reading and studying and writing. I occasionally go into cities by train with my friends, but I hate the town I live in and cannot bear hanging around the streets "socialising" by smoking and drinking myself into oblivion.
However, I know this isn't conducive with making the most of my adolescent years, and to be honest I do feel lonely and miserable and in need of a new boyfriend after my last stalkerish one. But how do I go about making the most of my life? I hate drinking and smoking and the town I live in and the people in it - I love my friends, I just don't love their interests. I'm nearly 16 and feel that I have nothing to show for my childhood, and just want to know where to go from here in order to feel that I'm going to live a full, varied life.
Can anyone give me any advice? I'd be so grateful if you could help.
Right, so my mum just came into my room for a little 'chat'. Basically, she feels that I'm p*ssing my life away. "You just sit around reading/studying/watching TV when you could be putting on make-up and going out, doing things ... You're wasting yourself."
My friends fall into one of two categories: they're either XBox mad and talk about nothing else, or hang around the town all day, drinking alcohol until they throw up or get taken to A&E (I've seen the MySpace pictures and heard the stories to prove it). They're very clever and always get straight As and are going to be lawyers/doctors and stuff, while I want to be a writer and just want to do productive things with my time like reading and studying and writing. I occasionally go into cities by train with my friends, but I hate the town I live in and cannot bear hanging around the streets "socialising" by smoking and drinking myself into oblivion.
However, I know this isn't conducive with making the most of my adolescent years, and to be honest I do feel lonely and miserable and in need of a new boyfriend after my last stalkerish one. But how do I go about making the most of my life? I hate drinking and smoking and the town I live in and the people in it - I love my friends, I just don't love their interests. I'm nearly 16 and feel that I have nothing to show for my childhood, and just want to know where to go from here in order to feel that I'm going to live a full, varied life.
Can anyone give me any advice? I'd be so grateful if you could help.
Firstly, don't feel pressured into doing things you don't want to do by other people...at the end of the day it's your life.
At 15, I was happier staying in Reading, Playing on Computer, ect.
To be honest, it's safer to be at home at the moment anyways, especially at 15 and with all the violence on the streets.
Just do what makes you happy!
Aww, don't worry. There's more to life than socialising. To be honest there really isn't all that much to do before you're 18 socialising-wise, I'd much rather wait until I can get into pubs and stuff without having to sneak in.
Just do what you enjoy, there's no point going out if you don't enjoy it. i'm 17 and I hardly ever go out, I'm hoping that when I'm off to uni things will be a bit more conducive to a good night out.
You really honestly aren't missing out on anything, and you have pleeennnntyy of time in the future when you don't have exams to go out. Socialising a lot really doesn't mean you have a fulfilling life, btw.
I'm the same situation, in a way, everyone I know of thinks the most fun is getting pissed and taken to hospital, whereas I'd much rather be home alone. Have you considered just ignoring your mum? My parents have said such things to me and I've just ignored it, they clearly don't actually know what people get up to, I've been out once or twice and everyone just gets drunk and touches each others bits.
Right, so my mum just came into my room for a little 'chat'. Basically, she feels that I'm p*ssing my life away. "You just sit around reading/studying/watching TV when you could be putting on make-up and going out, doing things ... You're wasting yourself."
My friends fall into one of two categories: they're either XBox mad and talk about nothing else, or hang around the town all day, drinking alcohol until they throw up or get taken to A&E (I've seen the MySpace pictures and heard the stories to prove it). They're very clever and always get straight As and are going to be lawyers/doctors and stuff, while I want to be a writer and just want to do productive things with my time like reading and studying and writing. I occasionally go into cities by train with my friends, but I hate the town I live in and cannot bear hanging around the streets "socialising" by smoking and drinking myself into oblivion.
However, I know this isn't conducive with making the most of my adolescent years, and to be honest I do feel lonely and miserable and in need of a new boyfriend after my last stalkerish one. But how do I go about making the most of my life? I hate drinking and smoking and the town I live in and the people in it - I love my friends, I just don't love their interests. I'm nearly 16 and feel that I have nothing to show for my childhood, and just want to know where to go from here in order to feel that I'm going to live a full, varied life.
Can anyone give me any advice? I'd be so grateful if you could help.
It's your life - enjoy it! If reading and writing is how you find happiness within yourself then go for it! Most parents would be happy if their child was doing something productive and educational than throwing up on the streets and binge-drinking..if that's the only other option in your town. I think the "wild years" of adolescence are totally overrated. However, it's important to try new things as well (I think) and not get stuck in a rut. You could take up a new hobby or volunteer for something; that's a damn good way to have new experiences and meet new people. Good luck with the creative writing. You've got aaagggees yet, and plenty of time for things to get full and varied.
What she said. Really, I do like drinking, granted (I'm a guy so that's the main thing here), but I lost 90% of my friends when they started drinking/smoking 2 years ago and a freaked out... I found that I'd freaked out over nothing; we're all ok now, but I don't hang out with them anymore which is sad because I spend most Friday / Saturday nights in playing PC and basically "wasting my youth". The thing here is: do what makes you happy, don't do anything that makes you uncomfortable, if something upsets you, get out and think about it and talk to them later.. That's all I can say, it sucks if you screw things up because you weren't comfortable with something..
I'm the same situation, in a way, everyone I know of thinks the most fun is getting pissed and taken to hospital, whereas I'd much rather be home alone. Have you considered just ignoring your mum? My parents have said such things to me and I've just ignored it, they clearly don't actually know what people get up to, I've been out once or twice and everyone just gets drunk and touches each others bits.
Wow, that has got to be the most helpful piece of advice I have ever seen posted by you. Keep up the good work, SQUID.
Get into a club could be on way.
I'm in the ATC (Air cadets) and you meet some great people that are genuinely really nice. (Also the army cadets but meh )
That means you get out, do something different and exciting, and at the end, there are so many things that you can do, it's amazing! And because it's a military way of doing things, you get really nice people who will look after you.
Also, it's good for employers to see that you have been committed to do something worthwhile.
So, basically, a club would be pretty good.
Thank you for your replies, some of them have really raised a smile and been really helpful.
I dropped out of ballet this year because my teacher was a patronising swine and all my friends had left anyway, and also dropped out of Guides a few years ago because my friends had all left ... I've been thinking of joining this badminton club and getting a part-time job at the library (sounds unexciting, I know, but I did it for work experience this year and loved it, plus I'd be surrounded by like-minded teens ).
I'm nearly 16 and feel that I have nothing to show for my childhood, and just want to know where to go from here in order to feel that I'm going to live a full, varied life.
No one has anything to "show" for their childhood - that's what childhood is. It's just pissing around learning about the world before you enter it for real. You say you're a keen reader - well, this is possibly one of the most productive activities you can do. You have plenty of time to absorb/think about the world.
As long as you go out occasionally/stay in touch with people - which it sounds like you do - then there's really nothing to worry about.
My only advice would be: learn to do some outdoor activity e.g. climbing, windsurfing, or learn to play a musical instrument, anything! Just find some thing(s) and learn to do it really well.
Oh, and yeah - get a part-time job. Employment really does open your eyes.
Thank you for your replies, some of them have really raised a smile and been really helpful.
I dropped out of ballet this year because my teacher was a patronising swine and all my friends had left anyway, and also dropped out of Guides a few years ago because my friends had all left ... I've been thinking of joining this badminton club and getting a part-time job at the library (sounds unexciting, I know, but I did it for work experience this year and loved it, plus I'd be surrounded by like-minded teens ).
Hi! I'm your age =)
It seems odd your mum doesn't like you studying so much - opposite of my 'rents. Do what you feel, its your life not hers.
If you want to meet new people go on myspace or join some clubs - I want a job too, good luck finding one!
I've been thinking of joining this badminton club and getting a part-time job at the library (sounds unexciting, I know, but I did it for work experience this year and loved it, plus I'd be surrounded by like-minded teens ).
Then do it. Take this thread as a nudge for getting your act together for joining the club and seeing if you can get the jub.
What kind of writer do you intend to be? Authors often write from experience, life experience. Do not feel pressurised to behave in any way that any of your friendship groups do, however maybe you could take on board what your mum has suggested (indirectly) and perhaps try and experience the world a little more - maybe you need to get out of (your) town for a few days or do some local travelling/exploring; anything that catches your interest.
Discuss matters related to personal health and relationships in this forum. However, please keep it sensible and remember that people of all ages can view these forums. Remember, all advice is unprofessional.
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I'm wasting my youth - please help
You could take up a new hobby or volunteer for something; that's a damn good way to have new experiences and meet new people. Good luck with the creative writing. You've got aaagggees yet, and plenty of time for things to get full and varied. 
