How do you deal with stress about the future? Are you more que sera, sera, or do you want to know now for certain where you're headed in future?  When it comes to the long-term, i'm definitely getting more at peace with not knowing exactly where I will end up. I have a pretty broad idea of the kind of work i want to be doing and if i can do that then i'm happy :D (i think) For the day-to-day stuff though uncertainty is still not my friend unfortunately! Do you turn to any people/services for advice or support when you're stressed about your future? If not, what's holding you back? Do you have any suggestions for others for who they can reach out to? I usually reach out to family and friends when i'm feeling stressed out/uncertain about the future, either that or i end up googling different pathway options and reading others' experiences. When I had a psychologist i very rarely (regrets) did so, which would've been nice to talk through further. I felt too shy talking to her though, because i was afraid deep down she'd judge me for wanting to work in mental health when i was seeing her, which was silly looking back, but there you go! Can't help your thoughts sometimes  As for who to reach out to @WheresMySquishy has an awesome list! And if you're finding yourself really overwhelmed by thoughts about the future, there's always the option of contacting Kids Helpline, headspace, and Lifeline :D    Have the things you've worried about changed over time or across your life? Why/why not? Do you have any advice/experiences to share with everyone about dealing with uncertainty/stress surrounding the future? Overall i'm way less concerned about the specifics and more concerned with eventually finding work that is meaningful to me, where i'm in a position to live my life and look out for both myself and my family and friends I'm not one who's really good at offering advice in this area but i think when you're overwhelmed taking things one day at a time isn't a bad way to go about things. Focusing on then and there. I try to keep my final goal in mind and have faith that if i do what needs to be done now, things will hopefully end up where i'm aiming. (results may vary on that one :P) ... View more

@recharging_introvert good luck with your interview! Sending all the good vibes your way! xx @lr8991 thanks for sharing such positive well wishes with everyone! Having so many people in the same boat really is so encouraging! Using your current job as a safety net while you look at different options sounds like a really solid idea, definitely an option i'm tossing up for next year too xx @scared01 It sounds really wonderful that by focusing on your physical and mental health you're also aiming to increase your confidence to try new things Struggling to put it into words but sending lots of support in your direction xx @WheresMySquishy that's such a good list of people to turn to! I also really love your last couple of paragraphs of reflection, it can be so hard to tackle lots of different worries, but handling them with different mindsets sounds really proactive! ... View more

As we're headed into Friday evening and transitioning into the weekend, it's time for some Friday Fives to celebrate the sheer awesomeness we see here on RO You guys rock!     In honour of it being 50 years since the moon landing, we're going with a space theme this week!   So first a huge Friday Five to @queenP!   for t his absolutely incredible post in the Special Discussion on Sexuality! While this is a belated feedback five, your post was so incredible in the way you shared your experience of exploring sexuality, how that journey changed over time, and the different types of attraction that you explored to understand what was important to you in a relationship. Here's one of our fave quotes: "No one gives you a rulebook when it comes to understanding sexual attraction, and is often more gray than black and white. While sexuality is something that just eventually feels right, it is completely okay to experiment with different identities and sexualities until you find the version of yourself that feels the most authentic." Such a legend!      Next a big Friday Five to @Tiny_leaf ! :D xx For your incredible support to so many members this week! You may notice that there's not a link to a particular post here, and that's because there's so many examples! Your compassion and insight blow us away so often, and you've got such a beautiful way with words that conveys a lot of caring and understanding       Next to @xXLexi_Lou122Xx for recognising who their supports are, especially when they felt sad during an important time at school. Rooting for you always     To @ecla34 (lol) for leading the discussion on stress about the future! (thank you :) )   I'm going to tag everyone who was invo lved in that GR on Future Stress for a huge Friday Five! It's been a really insightful and reflective one (it's still going here btw if anyone's keen!), i especially loved @MisoBear 's response here and @WheresMySquishy 's response here. Words to live by and such honest reflections @scared01 @MisoBear @Tiny_leaf @xXLexi_Lou122Xx @Esperanza67 @not-an-otter @WheresMySquishy @ErinsAntics @Bee @Ladybug @May_ @recharging_introvert @lr8991 @Brendos94 @Jess1-RO      If during the weekend and next week you see someone doing something that you think deserves a Friday Five, please nominate them here! Until then, please enjoy the fact that people have been walking on the moon for 50 YEARS! What even guys! Totally brings a new definition to moon-walking     (less groovy tbh :P ;) ) ... View more

This is such a cute idea @Bee! I went to visit my nana recently (far far away :P) and i spent lots of time chatting with her, looking at old photos, and even seeing my cousin and his baby! It reminded me of all the family occasions we've spent around her table with those photos in the background growing up, laughing as they get more and more outdated and as the collection grows with new memories/family members This was so nice to reflect upon! :D Great idea! ... View more

Thursday TIME! :D Do you turn to any people/services for advice or support when you're stressed about your future? If not, what's holding you back? Do you have any suggestions for others for who they can reach out to?   ... View more

After my long-winded rambling there's also our question for today! How do you deal with stress about the future? Are you more que sera, sera, or do you want to know now for certain where you're headed in future?    ... View more

@Ladybug that sounds like a really stressful place to be in :( It seems like there's so much pressure to finish within a certain 'acceptable' time period, but so many people end up going part-time, deferring, repeating classes, and even changing courses! The fact that you're keeping at it and being so persistent is beyond amazing! It totally makes sense to focus on one dream at a time to give yourself breathing space, do you like doing makeup artistry as a hobby in your spare time too right now or are you taking a more concrete break? :) @May_ that's so exciting that you're nearly done! ahhhhh :D  Going from studying to contemplating finding full-time work sounds daunting! I think you'll be awesome in whatever you do Any hobbies you're super keen to get stuck into once the sem is over?   @WheresMySquishy ahhh clinical psych really is ridiculously competitive! They say there aren't enough clin psychs but then only offer a handful of postgrad courses! Where's the logic! :( That being said, you seem like you're doing so many awesome things volunteer-wise to give yourself a good shot! (keeping all fingers and toes crossed for you! :heart) Balancing caring, school, and your own health does sound complicated... really hoping you get that extra in home support xx   @MisoBear such a good way of looking at things! Changing paths is more than okay (very common actually!) and the things you learn along the way are never wasted You're so so right, even if you put in the hard work, sometimes things end up differently than we plan and that's okay! (I mean it still sucks...) There are ways and ways to getting to where you're meant to be   arghh this post is getting super long! oh well! Is there anything about your plans that's giving you a bit of anxiety/stress or that you're uncertain about? Right now i'm a bit unsure about what my plans are for next year. Whether to take a gap year, or study something else....Most of my preparation was for the course i originally planned on taking next year, and though lots of my planning is applicable elsewhere it means i'm kind of scrambling to do research and look at entry requirements, all while figuring out if this path is right for me or if i'll change paths again... I'm still excited though at how many different paths there are out there! It's a lot less limited than i was afraid of and i don't feel like i've wasted my time. I plan to work in mental health so my degree in psych is still super relevant! :) ... View more

@Tiny_leaf zoology looks really neat! working with animals sounds so rewarding, they're so loving   @Esperanza67 decisions are hard man! can someone else make them? 😂 ... View more

this one sounds so good! really looking forward to it! ... View more

@Tiny_leaf focusing on your health right now sounds really important to invest in It's definitely more than fair! Is there anything you like the idea of studying?   @xXLexi_Lou122Xx those sound like amazing dream jobs! It would be so cool if you could combine some of them into one, like being a music therapist at a school or something! :D ... View more

@MisoBear that sounds really challenging having to face such a huge change in your plans :( So glad that it's lead you to path that you love now though Any area you're keen on in particular? :) My experience was both very similar and the complete opposite! Since about year 9/10 i've always wanted to be a clinical psychologist (barring semester 1 of uni where i nearly dropped out because i was second guessing everything). But from the first day of my honours year in psych this year i knew that it wasn't the right fit for me, at least not now. I'm really enjoying my study and still want to have a career in mental health, but beyond that who knows? Not quite sure what happened there, i guess people and goals change.  ... View more

Tagging some peeps to hear what they have to say! :D   @DIVYA @dog_lover94 @FootyFan26 @Hozzles @I_am_not_Groot @Jane_Rose @Ladybug @lennycat2017 @LovesFood @lr8991 @Mcro @MisoBear @missyj @mspaceK @queenP @scared01 @skyedre @statuscaring @Sunflower18 @Tasi @WheresMySquishy @Asche @Bee  @ErinsAntics @Esperanza67 @letitgo @linkinpark13 @lokifish @May_ @missep @N1ghtW1ng @Puppies026 @blobby @SomeoneNADJS @Tiny_leaf @unwind @Bananatime04 @Brendos94 @Cheeseburger @keezeik @ @MemphisBelle @Saltwaterdreamtime @xXLexi_Lou122Xx @DruidChild @Beautifullybroken @Blurryphaced @Charlie-29-1999 @dragon3 @Dyl @hellofriend @indieinsanus @Lonelyboy17 @Mrstweety5482 @nyke @rainbowpotato @skyfireinferno99 @SNUFFLES @not-an-otter ... View more

Time to get started everyone! For the first round of questions: What are your plans for the future? Could be for next week or for 15 years from now in your dream career! If you're a bit stuck/unsure, what are you doing nowadays? :D   ... View more

@scared01 Love it!! It's awesome that you  enjoy singing and having a groove in your car, even if you don't think you're good at it! You like it and that's the most important part   (having a jam session when you're alone is honestly so much fun! ) ... View more

@queenP that's really cool that you're picking up the clarinet again! (one of the coolest instruments in my humble opinion). I love love the way you've framed it: you're definitely worth the shot!   I'm so impressed by how you've decided to enrol in more maths courses as well! That's a level of persistence that must have taken lots of concerted effort and I really admire that     Focusing on how you can learn and grow if you continue doesn't sound easy, but I think your way of thinking will really pay off for you! :) ... View more

can do @scared01! :D I can tag you for each question we pop up if you'd like?  ... View more

Taking advantage of it still being Friday (just :P) to pass around some Friday Fives!! :D Some lovely soul included a link to unicorn gifs so that's the theme we're going with   Firstly to @xXLexi_Lou122Xx, a double nomination! Firstly for m aking it to the end of the school term.  Even though there are some nasty rumours going around about you, you kept going. Even when you wanted to give up. Keep going Lexi! Secondly a huge hive five for being proud of not only yourself for getting through the big week of camp, but for being proud of the rest of the community! We're proud of you too Lexi_Lou!   For @Sunflower18 for bravely sharing your recent experience of losing your dad to support another member whose family members are experiencing cancer. It is not easy to share an experience so near to your heart, and so soon after losing someone. Your willingness to support another person on a similar journey is so beautiful- if I could nominate you for 10 Friday Fives for this post, I would!            To @lokifish for making this fun wiggles themed introduce yourself thread for July! Gives us all the feels! :D    Lastly to @Tiny_leaf a massive high five for trying to learn new coping mechanisms to deal with really painful flashbacks What you shared in the Unread Letters thread is really powerful and we're sending lots of hugs your way xx   As always, if you see someone on the forums doing something amazing, please nominate them for a Friday Five here!    (spoiler alert: most of the unicorn gifs out there involve pooping rainbows, what gives internet? ) ... View more

@mrmusic that response made me smile not gonna lie But not as much as winning is :P ... View more

@xXLexi_Lou122Xx must be a spy to know that... *squints suspiciously*  ... View more

Today I'm grateful for the opportunity to have met and learned from some really amazing people the past while! ... View more

Today I practiced self-care by making sure I sat down and ate something before dashing out of the house :D ... View more

@SomeoneNADJS victory is bittersweet ;) ... View more

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Thank you @letshaveayarn and @angelerinah for sharing those resources! Especially the NITV page @lennycat2017 @polyphemus16  will definitely check out those books and podcasts! They sound amazingly interesting!   Thank you so much @angelerinah @letshaveayarn @polyphemus16 for coming on to have a chat with us after the live video! It was such a powerful and insightful discussion to watch and hearing all of your perspectives was really wonderful!   ... View more

@letshaveayarn for people looking to learn more and grow their understanding, what do you think would be a good starting place? Aside from chatting with the First Nations people in their lives? (Absolutely loved how you ran the FB live by the way! ) ... View more

@Jess1-RO a really big take away for me after the panel was the importance of listening to the lived experience of first nation peoples and having the hard conversations. Being open to learning and understanding other perspectives and to really engage with what you learn, not just passively absorb it.  ... View more

@angelerinah that's such a powerful point about voice truth and treaty relying on each other in order for any of them to occur!   @polyphemus16 i really loved the way you explored self-empowerment and self-determination as relating to treaty in the live video such important discussions for the government to start having! ... View more

@angelerinah wow 9 schools, that does sound challenging! Did you have a favourite? @lennycat2017 such a good point about education being a theme, it really sounds like it stands at the core of empathy and understanding ... View more