5/25/2025-What should I do?
I have a friend that my mom doesn’t think I should stay close with anymore, and honestly, I think she might be right. But I’m really torn because I don’t want to risk breaking up our friend group.
Here’s some background: the girl's name is K------, and we’ve been friends since freshman year — we're juniors now. Recently, at a party, she was acting really disrespectfully toward one of our friends. She went through his things and was just being rude in general. I told my mom about it, and she said K------ doesn’t seem like a good friend and that I should consider distancing myself from her. That conversation led me to open up to my mom about other things K------ has done to me in the past, and it made her even more upset. I know deep down this friendship isn’t healthy for me. One of our other friends, M-----, also thinks it might be best for us to take a step back from K-----. She’s noticed the same issues and agrees it could be a good move — but we’re both really hesitant because we don’t want to cause drama or split up our whole friend group. What should I do? from quinn
Hello, thank you for writing in! it sounds really hard, and a tough situation to be in. it sounds like K is really mean and toxic. I'm sorry for your friend that she picked on at the party. I'm glad that you opened up to your mom, I would agree with her advice to end that friendship. it can be really hard to navigate a friend group when your trying to separate from one friend, it seems like M would back you up so that's good, and maybe the friend that K was picking on. i have gone through a friend breakup in a similar circumstance and i would say that it would be good to maybe bring it up with that rest of your friends first so they have time to process and they aren't blindsided. then you can see whose on your side and you can navigate boundaries with friends who disagree and preserve those friendships. with one of my friends i had to have a whole discussion were we had to agree to disagree and we wouldn't talk about it. it can be very overwhelming and hard but in the long run it will be better, if K is hurting people now they probably will continue to. I hope that you can make to decision that is best for you regardless! Quinn from eric
Hi, thank you for reaching out. I'm sorry to hear that you're in this situation. It's very responsible of you to even consider a decision like this. I would say that it would definitely be a good idea to distance yourself from K, especially since one of your other friends feels the same way. I wouldn't advise just ghosting her or just slowly distancing yourselves from her out of the blue, I would first try to talk to her about her behavior and actions. I would recommend to do this with maybe only you and your other friend that feels the same or just a couple, so K doesn't feel "ganged up on" or anything like that. Just come to her as a friend and tell her how you feel and how her actions and behaviors have affected you and others, and if she doesn't change then regrettably you don't think it would be best to be friends. Now obviously, I don't know K or how she acts all the time, so you would know better than me if this is a good idea for a person like her. Anyway, I hope things get better with you and your friend group and things stay positive! -Eric from dahlia
Hello, I'm Dahlia! I understand how stressful it can be to deal with friendship groups and individual friend problems. I too had a friend who was mean to my other friend at a party and I told my mom about it, just like you did, and she also noticed the behavior was unacceptable. In your case, both your mom and another friend have pointed out your friend's bad behavior, which is a sign that she is not someone you should keep close right now. I suggest you and your other friend that noticed her behavior talk with her kindly in private. Tell her about how her rude behavior is making it difficult to maintain a good friendship with her. It will likely result that the friend group will fall apart if she doesn't change, but keeping the friend group shouldn't be the priority. The priority should be to keep your peace and happiness, which may require distancing yourself from someone. Also, friends come and go throughout our lives, so it is likely that this friend group will nature fade away in the future whether it be due to conflict or just because you are in a different chapter of your life. It seems, deep in your heart you have noticed what you need to do, so I suggest you begin communicating with your friend on the issue. And as always, remember that it isn't your fault for your friend's rude behavior. You will be doing your part by letting your friend know that her behavior is disrespectful. Being honest and kind is a sign of a good friend. from hazel
Hey there, Thank you for reaching out! I know how tough and kind of daunting it is to be in that in-between place with someone you’ve been close with for a long time. It says a lot about you that you’re being thoughtful about it instead of just cutting someone off immediately or ignoring how you feel. It totally makes sense that you’re feeling torn. Friendships can be really complicated, especially when people around you (like your mom or other friends) start noticing things you might’ve brushed off before. It’s hard to admit when a friendship isn’t healthy anymore, but the fact that you’re recognizing it shows a lot of self-awareness and strength. Wanting to protect the friend group is super valid, but your mental and emotional well-being matters more than just keeping things smooth. It might seem scary to risk shaking up your group — especially when you’ve known each other for a while. And yeah, as humans we definitely cling to familiarity and routine. But if someone’s behavior is consistently hurting you or others, it’s okay to create some space, even if it’s uncomfortable at first. You’re not being dramatic or mean for doing what’s best for you. If you and M--- are on the same page, maybe talk through what taking a step back from K--- could look like. It definitely doesn’t have to be a big dramatic confrontation. Sometimes just setting quiet boundaries or spending your time more intentionally is enough. And if the group dynamic shifts because of it, it could actually lead to a healthier environment for everyone. You deserve to feel safe and respected in your friendships. Trust your gut; it sounds like it’s already telling you what you need. You’ve got this. And if you ever want to talk more, TeenTalk is always here. I’m cheering you on! – Hazel from kit
Hi, thank you for having the bravery to submit this ask peppy. I’m sorry to hear that things haven’t been going well with your friend. I agree with you that this doesn’t sound like a healthy friendship. Going through people’s things is not okay if they have not been given permission. It sounds like there is a history with this person’s behaviour that has made you uncomfortable. If it was a one off thing it might be different, but repeated patterns of doing things that don’t align with what you want in a friend might mean it’s time to distance yourself from them. I think it’s really great that you opened up to your mom about this. I’ve had times where I wasn’t sure what to do about friends and talking with my mom helped to get a different perspective. It sounds like you, your mom, and another friend all agree that this friend is not someone you want to be around. I understand that it can be really stressful or scary to end a friendship. Especially if it causes drama or a divide within a friend group. Whatever you decide to do is up to you. I also don’t know what will happen if you choose to stay friends or not. I can’t promise it’ll be easy or drama free either way, but I hope you go with whatever feels right. I’ve had to end friendships before over them doing things that make me feel uncomfortable and it was really hard but ultimately worth it in the end. I wish you the best of luck and thank you for sharing this with me. If you want to talk about it more you can call or text us at teen talk or send another ask peppy. We have lots of awesome volunteers who would love to talk. I’m Kit and I volunteer 4:00-7:00pm on Fridays! 4/9/2025-Spring break
everyone keeps asking about spring break and i dont know what to say. it feels like all my friends are doing cool stuff and i dont have any plans. my parents are working. I am feeling left out and dont have anything to look forward to
from Hazel
Hey, thank you for writing to us! My name's Hazel. I understand why you might feel frustrated or left out when it seems like everyone else has big plans for their break (I'm in the same boat, I've got zero plans for Spring break). But my take on it is: even if your break looks different, you still deserve to enjoy it in your own way. Maybe it's a good opportunity to do something just for yourself! You can relax, try out a new hobby, or maybe make some small plans that you can look forward to. Either way, just know that you aren't the only person who feels this way. Please feel free to reach out anytime, and I hope you have a lovely spring break!!
from Hailey
Hey thanks for reaching out I understand what you’re going through all my friends are going on a London trip mean while my plan is to stay home and do homework so I can relate if you feel lonely you can always call or text in and we can just talk about whatever I can understand feeling left out I get that a lot I personally have been trying to work on finding enjoyment in being alone but maybe if you find an activity to do over break like a little project or something that can give you something to look forward to I hope this was helpful and feel free to reach out whenever. -Hailey from Dahlia
Hello, I'm Dahlia. It is okay to not have plans. Spring break is a time for you to spend time with yourself and relax from all the hard work you endured during last semester. I understand it can feel lonely to not have fun activities planned out like your other friends, but you should not feel ashamed of it because it is not embarrassing. You do not have to constantly be busy. And you do not owe anyone an explanation for your spring break plans. You can just mention you have no plans, and then ask if they would like to hang out. I hope that whoever asks about your spring break plans will try to invite you into their plans if they are able to do so, or at least ask to hang out with you. If not, you can always do fun activities by yourself. You can plan a trip to the mall, go to a movie theater, visit an animal shelter, and so many other things! You can create things to look forward to :) even if it is seems like a small activity. from eric
Hi, I'm sorry to hear that you're feeling left out. It's completely understandable to feel that way when your friends are doing things during spring break and you don't really have any plans. I have had this happen with most of my spring breaks. I would strongly encourage you to try and not really think about what your friends are doing during the break, easier said than done I know. To help with this, maybe try to figure out something you could do with your friends who aren't going on vacation or anything, or even seeing if there's a day or two some of them are free. Even if it's just hanging out for the day. I really hope this helps, and you have an enjoyable spring break! -Eric from quinn
Hello, I’m Quinn. That sounds really upsetting and lonely. It is frustrating to continually be asked about your break, when you don’t have anything going on. Spring break looks different for everyone, I don’t have any plans for spring break. And many people at my school aren’t doing anything either, so I think it’s normal to not do anything. I hope you find a way to enjoy your break anyway, I prefer to take this time to rest and not focus on school. I am going to draw and paint, and go on walks, so maybe you could do a hobby to fill your time. from emma
Hi thereee, this is Emma! Thank you so much for reaching out to us! You shouldn't be ashamed of your activities or what are your plan for spring breaks. It is spring break for a reason, because you are having a break! Different people use spring break for different purposing, for traveling or just having a break from school. I'm also not doing anything for my spring break while a lot of my friends travel around the state or country. But I like it more not doing anything because I actually have a break from school and everyone else. You can take this time to focus on yourself and just take a break from everything else. Get more sleep in or enjoy of any of your hobby that you haven't do due to the business of school or just life. So, there is nothing to be ashamed of not having any plans or trips to go to, because you can always use this break on yourself. A lot of people related to not doing anything for break and no one going to judge your break when you enjoy your time your way. SO, enjoy your break how you like it, don't mind what other thinks because only you matter in this situation! Happy spring break! Again, thank you so much for reaching out and I'm glad you wrote to us! I hope this helped you put your mind at ease! If you have any concerns or problems, please don't be shy and reach out! 12/20/2024- what should i do?
I have this friend who likes a girl who’s taken and we have all told him that she is even she has told him that and she’s been dating the guy for over a year but my friend still flirts with her all the time in school and I’m not sure if I should talk to him about it and tell him not to cause she’s uncomfortable or just let him be. And like he is a notorious homie hopper and everyone knows that so like the girl and all her friends are all uncomfortable with him flirting with her but he won’t stop he has literally dated 5 girls in our friend group and was in a talking stage with one of my close friends and told the whole school they were dating even though she set a clear line that they weren’t going to anytime soon so he consistently crosses lines what do I do.
from eric
Hi, thank you so much for reaching out! So, it sounds to me like this guy isn’t really the best person to be around. However, if you do feel like you’d really like to be friends with him, I would definitely talk to him about his behavior. Just be straight up with him and tell him what he’s doing is not cool. Also just a note, if he is a “homie hopper”, that’s a very unhealthy thing for friend groups. I really hope this helps! -Eric from holly
Hi there! Thank you for reaching out! It seems to me like this guy is not somebody worth being around if i'm going to be honest. I would say creating some distance could be good if he is making you all uncomfortable. You mentioned you had already talked to him about it and he didn't change. I know it can be hard to distance yourself from people who are your friends but in this case i think it would be best. I hope this was helpful! :D -Holly from emma
Heyyy there, I’m Emma, thank you so much for reaching out to us. I completely understand your frustration about this situation, it is very nice of you looking out for your friends. As for how to handle the situation, I would prefer talking to him about it. Mostly talk about how all the flirting and the things that make your friends or you uncomfortable. Also if you can ask what is his intention with flirting with your friend and friend group. It is also important to put down your boundary with him, after the talk if he hasn't changed, you should distance yourself with him. People like him are not great to be around, it attracts a lot of bad vibes and can definitely cause a rip in your friendship as well. So remember your friendships are the most important and you are doing an amazing job looking out for them. I’m very proud of you for doing that and I hope everything will go smoothly for you. I hope this helps with your situation! 12/17/2024 my friend is missing
A friend from school has been missing now for a while. No one talks about him anymore. People are still looking for him but i think hes been gone too long for him to be found alive. I was maybe going to talk to his mom but my mom says not to bother her. I think I would feel better if maybe I just accepted that he is dead but maybe its bad to think that if he is not found. thank you for somewhere to at least ask the question
from chloe
Hi there thanks for reaching out, I get where ur mom is coming from but I also think that if you talk to his mom it might make ur friends mom feel better to know that ur there for her and that she’s not alone. I know it sucks especially if no one talks about him anymore but at least people haven’t lost hope. I know that if you decide to accept that he might be gone it’s going to hurt. You won’t always be able to get rid of the feeling that your friend hasn’t been found and that he might never be because once you truly love someone they are apart of you and that love can’t be removed no matter what happens. You never truly know how much you love someone until they are gone. I’m not going to lie to you, u can get over the sadness but not fully, and you can’t get over the missing part. While it’s Also better to prepare for the worst but hope for the best. but don’t lose hope okay. Xoxo Chloe<3 from marley
Hey! Thank you for reaching out. First off, I just want you to know we TeenTalkers are always here to listen and support you no matter what. You more than deserve a place to be heard and listened to, and I hope you feel that way here! I can imagine it’s unbelievably difficult to deal with a situation where someone close to you is missing. I hope you know that anything you’re feeling right now is valid. There is no ‘right’ way to react or feel when something like this happens—and whatever feelings you’re experiencing are normal. Something like this is a heavy thing to navigate, and it’s okay to feel unsure or uncomfortable with how you choose to move forward. I hope you know, more than anything, that your voice is heard in this and that you deserve a place to express how you feel—especially in circumstances like this. I hope everything finds you well. -Marley :) from dahlia
Hello, I am Dahlia. You sound like an amazing friend to have. You seem to truly care for your friend because you still remember them even if their presence isn’t physical. This situation indeed sounds very difficult because the uncertainty over your friend leaves space for so many scary thoughts and questions. Have you’ve heard about how cats react when their owner has passed away? I’ve heard that in order for cats to accept that their owner has passed away they need to smell their owner one last time. If not, they will go on thinking their owner is still out there alive in the world somewhere. When questions are left unanswered, we are sort of like cats wandering around. In your case, there will always unanswered questions over your mind if it isn’t proven or confirmed that your friend is actually gone. There is nothing wrong with thinking that maybe they are gone, because the chance is possible. But there is also nothing wrong with having hope. I have a family member whose two sons disappeared, so I have an idea of how much this situation can impact you. My family has since accepted that the two boys were killed, but even then, the truth was never uncovered. Their mother surely grieves never knowing what happened to them. In that same way, you are likely to grieve the unknown; the uncertainty of where your friend is and what happened to him. But it doesn’t mean you only have to think he is dead. It sounds like you believe that accepting that he might be dead will help you, but it does not sound like a solution. The reality is that he was a friend that you seemed to care for, so one way or another, the unanswered questions you have will be with you, because you do not know what happened. Also, if your friends’ mother seems open to talk, I think you should reach out to her. I am sure having someone to talk with about her son would make her happy, and help remind her that her son was loved. There are different stages of grief though, so if you do contact her make sure she isn’t at the stage where she is being reactive to conversation about her son. Also, make sure to let your mother know beforehand if you do plan on reaching out to your friend’s mom because it sounds like she thinks it isn’t a good idea. I am truly sorry you are left with so many questions and worries left unanswered. I hope you are able to take care of yourself amidst this situation. how to always get pronouns right
I have been friends for 5 years with someone who came out as transgender 2 yrs ago. Sometimes I mess up and use their old pronoun. Most times I get it right. When I get it wrong I apologize and they are pretty good about it but then I feel bad and awkward. We are becoming less close of friends and that feels really bad to me. How do I get their pronoun right all the time so there's no awkward.
from May
Hi! Im May. I’m so glad you reached out for support. I understand that getting peoples pronouns correct can be difficult sometimes. It’s okay that you’re having a hard time with it. It sounds like you don’t mean to use the pronouns, and it is just an honest mistake and that is okay. One thing I think is important is that when you get your friend’s pronouns wrong, try not to make a bit deal out of it. In my personal experience, when someone uses incorrect pronouns for me, I prefer that they correct themselves, quickly say sorry and then move on. Making a big deal out of it can make it worse. Sometimes I struggle with remembering people’s correct pronouns too, so the biggest thing I do to help with that is just defaulting to “they” for everyone (unless someone specifically tells me not to use they/them pronouns for them). They/them pronouns are gender neutral and if you start using them more often, you’ll get used to it. Another thing to do is even when you’re talking about your friend when they’re not in the room, or even when you’re just thinking about them, put in effort to use their pronouns correctly. If you put in effort to use the correct pronouns for them all of the time, it will eventually become a second nature to you. It sounds to me like you are a great friend. You want to get their pronouns right, and you are seeking advice on how to do that and that is amazing! I think it would be great if you talked to your friend about this. Even just telling them that you’re putting effort into getting their pronouns right and that your sorry could make a difference, and could also help you feel better. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you want to talk more! We’re open 4-9 from Monday-Thursday, and 4-7 on Friday if you need anything else. from Marley
Hey ! Thank you for reaching out to us, it can be difficult to ask for advice sometimes and you’re beyond courageous for taking that first step :) - It seems like you really care about your friend and I think that more than shows in the way you speak about them. I definitely think it’s clear you respect your friend and friend’s identity and I think it’s more than great that you want to make sure you’re working on respecting their pronouns as well. In my experience ways that I think might help you remember their pronouns could be through repetition and communication, telling them that you respect their identity and pronouns is important and I think further instilling that could potentially benefit you both ! :) Anyways, I hope everything works out in your favor and feel more than free to reach out again ! :) from hailey
Hey! Thanks so much for reaching out honestly I understand where you are coming from the best thing I can say is that it’s okay to not get it perfect every time the most you can do is try and make a conscious effort to get it right and the more you get it right the more natural it’ll feel and eventually you’ll get it perfect every time that’s all I can say I hope that helps and good luck. - Hailey :) from jon
Hey, thanks for contacting TeenTalk. I’m sorry to hear that you are having trouble with remembering your friend’s pronouns, but I think it’s great that you are trying to make an effort to correct yourself when using the wrong ones. I have also had problems remembering pronouns in the past, and one thing I do is trying to use the pronoun in my head when associating it with the person. A bit like doing flash cards in my head, I correct myself before referring to their pronouns. It’s important that you communicate with your friend with your feelings and so you can hopefully work an understanding. Communication in general is an important way to maintain a long friendship. If I notice a friendship is straining, I’ll try doing things that they like to do more often so that they know I am interested in what they like. Have a good one, Jon from eric
Thank you for reaching out. I would start by trying to not be hard on yourself. These things can take time to adjust to. I would also, (if you're comfortable) ask your friend if they have any recommendations for you, so that way they can see you truly care about them and are trying. Each time you get it right, I would really acknowledge it in your mind of how proud you are of yourself. I hope things improve! -Eric from mia
Hey! Thanks for reaching out to us! Although I have not been in a situation like this, I completely understand. It is definitely hard when you have to get used to calling someone other than what you are used to. It’s completely okay if you mess up sometimes since you are making an effort to get their pronouns right. Getting used to a change can take a while. I think it would be a good idea to talk to the person and explain how you feel about your friendship and that you are genuinely trying to get their pronouns right, it’s just taking some time. Don’t be too hard on yourself, you’re human too! from heather
Hi! I appreciate you reaching out :). I think it’s amazing that you care so much about getting your friend’s pronouns right. It really shows that you’re a great friend! It’s okay to mess up, especially if you’re aware of your mistake and try your best to get their pronouns right. What matters is that you’re trying your best and as you said, you’re getting it right most of the time! I’m proud of the effort you’ve put in to make your friend feel comfortable and I hope you’re proud of yourself as well! You’re doing a great job, showing that you care by correcting yourself and apologizing is enough. I wish you the best of luck with your friendship, you sound like a great friend. from quinn
Hello! Thank you for reaching out! I'm Quinn and I use they/them pronouns and I have a lot of experience being misgendered and I have messed up on others pronouns as well. I know how it feels to mess up and feel terrible about it, it really sucks. I know you want to never mess up, but the truth is that you're going to mess up. To help, I would just practice using their correct pronouns and you get better that way. It can hurt when someone misgenders me, but most of the time I feel fine. I honestly feel worse when someone makes a big deal about and keeps apologizing or bringing it up again. It makes it feel like you have to make the person who misgendered you feel better about it. The best thing to do when you misgender someone is to correct yourself and move on. Try to forgive yourself, you don't need to beat yourself up about it. Your friend probably isn't mad, and just wants to continue on like normal. If you want you could ask your friend what they would prefer you do when you mess up. If you are becoming less close maybe you could talk to your friend about it and talk it out. And just make more of an effort to maintain your relationship. Best of luck, and don't be too hard on yourself! fom vanessa
Hi! We appreciate you reaching out. My name is Vanessa, and although I don't have any experience with being misgendered I do have experience with messing up the wrong pronoun. You can’t be too hard on yourself because you're human and will make mistakes, you can try talking to them and explain that you are trying to do your best, mention that you love being their friend and think of them as brave for coming out. People just want to be loved and understood, so try expressing that to hopefully get their feeling toward the situation. You could try doing things that you guys did together to rekindle the friendship. I hope you start to feel better and best success to you from dahlia
Hello, I am Dahlia. It can take time to get used to calling someone pronouns you weren't accustomed to using for them. However, I believe your friend is grateful that you are trying to use their correct pronouns. Also, you said your friend does not seem bothered when you accidentally call them by their wrong pronouns, so I don't believe your friend wants to become distant from you. Sometimes, humans feel as if the people around them dislike them or do not want to have a friendship with them. I noticed this is usually the case when individuals feel insecure about themselves or have other circumstances that make them feel worried or stressed. Perhaps you feel that you are becoming distant from your friend because you feel ashamed, so you feel that your friend thinks negatively about you when you are together. I suggest you tell your friend how you feel. You could let them know you cherish them and support them, but you are still struggling with getting their pronouns right all the time. As for how to always use their correct pronouns, you could ask your friend if they ever struggled with getting used to their pronouns, and what they did to get used to it. Perhaps they have feedback that could help you. I would also suggest you try and practice using their pronouns by imagining conversations with them that allow you to repeatedly mention their pronouns. I understand this situation can feel overwhelming, but you are trying your best and I am proud of you! If anything comes up, please feel free to message or call. I hope all goes well. 07/08/2024- How to have more
Last year i only had one friend . How can I have more then one next year
from marley
Hii!!! I’m Marley, thank you for reaching out to us! Making friends can be difficult sometimes, and that’s totally normal! In the past, whenever I wanted to make new friends, I tried joining clubs or sports that I liked. Meeting people who have similar interests is always nice, and it can definitely help to make new friends and meet new people! But If clubs or sports aren’t your thing, you could always try going to social events through school or family! I hope some of this advice helps, but if not, I’m always here to listen and support you however I can! - Marley 😊 from Jen
Hi! Thank you for sending us a message. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with having one friend. I used to only have one friend and we were vibing. But I think it’s also great wanting to meet new people and make more friends. Something you can try is saying hi to people from your class. If you see someone you know in the hallway you can wave or smile and maybe that can spark a connection or friendship. You can always be kind to others. Some of the coolest kids at school are the ones who are nice to other people. Everyone likes nice people because they are fun to be around and make you feel good. That would be my best advice on making friends. Also just being positive can make you and the people around you feel better. You can also try joining clubs or activities where you can be social and meet new people. If you ever need anyone to talk to you can always send us a message or call in. I’m Jen and would be happy to chat, my shifts are Thursday 6-9 or any of the other awesome volunteers would love to talk with you. from hailey
Hey thanks for reaching out to ask it’s brave to ask how to make friends! The biggest thing when making more friends is reaching out to others, by asking them to have lunch with you and your other friend, or asking to sit next to them in class, or simply just saying hi when you see them. Along with that is paying attention, listen to what the person likes and what they are saying, by doing that you show them that you care and want to be friends. Hopefully they think the same about you and want to be friends with you too, if they are rude to you or decide they don’t want your friendship let that be okay if they don’t want to be friends that’s their decision, and that means they probably aren’t someone you want to be friends with anyway. That’s all the guidance I can provide for you I wish you so much luck and I hope you make lots more friends. I’d love to hear how it went for you in the future so please text or call teen talk to let us know and if you want to tell me specifically my shift is Thursdays 4-7 good luck friend I hope you’re surrounded by friends next year. Your newest friend, Hailey:) from emma
Hey there, I'm glad that you are reaching out to us. I know the feelings of making new friends, it can be scary and nerve recking at the same time. I have a lot of trouble carrying out a conversation with other, but one things that help me a lot is ask question about the other. For example, if you are at school, you can start a conversations with your classmate, you can talk about the class itself, like have you done this homework or do you understand this part of the lessons. After that compliment them, you don't need to compliment their appearance, look around them see if something stand out to you like, "oh that a cute phone case you got or your shoe is so sick". But the important point of making friends is that you are comfortable, don't push yourself into a situation that you are unsure and uncomfortable. Be yourself, let the other knows who you are, it will attracted them, be kind and honest. Those are things that help me to make friends, so I hope it can give you some ideas of making new friends. I wish you all the best luck and kindness of making new friends next year. Don't be shy to reach out to use again if you want more advice or help, we will all be there for you!! -Emma- from sarah
Hello I’m Sarah, thank you so much for taking the courage to reach out to us at TeenTalk! I am glad that you reached out with this question because many people that I know, and myself included have struggled with this in the past. Expanding your circle can always be difficult but it can also be extremely gratifying. Something that I have worked on doing to put myself out there, so to speak, is pushing myself to meet new people. Even though that may seem like a small thing, it is something that I have always found terrifying, and have never had the courage or self confidence to carry out. I have always struggled with putting these things into action like in starting up a conversation with a stranger, but as soon as I began to, I realized it really is not too hard. Taking small steps in order to gradually put yourself out there more may repay you in the moment, it may repay you in the future, and possibly it may not repay you ever, but that is okay and it is worth it due to the fact that you began the practice of those small steps. Those small steps will snowball into the confidence and determination that you can use to put yourself out there, and will help you to meet new friends next year. Thank you for reaching out and remember to not push yourself, but take gradual steps, Sarah from eric
Hey thank you for reaching out! I totally understand where you're coming from. I would suggest talking to people you would never imagine talking to, and trying to engage in conversations you have commonalities in. Just remember, that the amount of the friends isn't everything, and to keep with the friendships you have. -Eric 12/13/2021 - Friend in crisis- SA
I have a friend who opened up to me about being harmed by another peer while under the influence. They feel guilty and responsible even though they were abused while physically helpless which is of course not their responsibility. I want to help them in any way I can, but I'm not sure what to do because I know it's important I protect their confidentiality as well. I just don't want any other girls to get hurt by this boy and him to think it's okay to take advantage of inability to consent. I've tried looking around for resources specifically near where they were attacked but it's hard to anonymously report that way. What is the best thing I can do?
FROM VALERIE
Hello, I'm so glad you decided to reach out about this because eventhough it might not have happened directly to you this is still a lot to process. The best thing you can do for your friend is to be there for them, even just holding their hand or texting to check in can mean a whole lot. I understand wanting to be the voice for your friend who has been suffering, but encouraging them to say something could be the most empowering and helpful way for them take that control back. They can call (360) 695-0501, which is the YWCA, a non-profit that offers support for women. They can connect you to other resources and people that should be able to help. Staying anonymous might not be possible, but the most important thing big is the safety/wellbeing of your friend and other people. You can offer to be there every step of the way, especially during that phone call which can be pretty nerve wracking. This is all up to your friend of course, it might be a long time before they're okay with the idea. Whenever they're ready, that's when they'll need support the most. Good luck, and as you're there to support your friend, we're here to support you so please feel free to reach out again. |
