@MayMay31 I'm so so glad to hear you've been going well! I'm sorry you felt like you weren't able to come to an exact solution or say everything you wanted to say but that's good that you were at least able to get the conversation started so she can understand where you're coming from and how you're feeling. I totally get you, sometimes you just need some space to heal and figure out how you're feeling and then go back a bit later. I'm glad this decision has made you feel at peace, you deserve that. And yes I'm sure you're right, after all your years of friendship, if either one of you needed the other that you would be there for each other  ... View more

@priyaaaa OMG YAYAY THAT'S SO EXCITING!!! You go girl! So happy you two got along so well and you were able to sit with her group. I hope that went well for you the rest of the week. I think it's good that you were honest with her so she knows that you're a little bit nervous and can help you out so you feel a bit more at ease. So so happy for you! ... View more

thank you @Anzelmo hearing you say that really made my morning hehe  I love that quote, it is very beautiful! ... View more

hi @saltwaterdreamtime just checking in on how you are going at the moment ... View more

hi @MayMay31 it's been a little while so I thought I would check in and ask how you are going? I wanted to let you know I had a friend of 11 years too and for the past 4ish years we went through this weird phase where we drifted quite a bit but now we are finding back to each other. Despite our distance in our friendship and some things that happened that were disappointing, probably on both sides, something in me could never let her go. I understand that your friend has said some seriously hurtful things about you, has not defended you and is acting strange, but I think after all these years of friendship, if it were me, I would try to talk to her/confront her and listen to what she had to say, if not for her sake but for your own to get closure. If that doesn't work, maybe giving it some time/distance and seeing what happens and whether she still adds the same value to your life as she used to, if you're meant to be friends I believe you'll come back together again no matter if it's in days, months or years. I have found that to be the case for me in the past. But if you feel like it's still not right, then (no matter how much we don't want to) sometimes we outgrow friends and have to let them go for our own happiness. In saying that, I think it's important for you to do whatever you feel is best for you and your confidence/self-esteem/happiness, because you don't want to be feeling bad every time after hanging out with her. As I was finishing writing this post I scrolled to the bottom and saw your most recent post about having a chat with her because your 11 years of friendship has been a big part of your life and I think if that's what your gut is telling you to do then definitely go for it. Let me know how you are going and if you end up having a chat with her ... View more

hi @Serecck how are you going? I'm guessing you're back at school at the moment, how is that going for you? I read through your first post I don't think your post is at all devoid of emotion or is a disjointed rant, I can't imagine how difficult it must be for your mum to take care of 14 children (and I think that it's good you try to put herself in her shoes) but I also can't imagine how tough it must be for you to adhere to all her rules, that does sound like a hard environment to live in as I can imagine you are looking to have more freedom as you get older. Similar to what the others have said, is there anyone at school like a teacher you trust or a counsellor who can vouch for you and try to help you out, or another relative (outside of your immediate family) or your dad (I know you mentioned he wasn't exactly in the picture) who you can talk to or potentially stay with during school? I truly hope you're going okay ... View more

@Wathan I'm so sorry to hear this is happening, I honestly can't even imagine how scary this must be for you and your family, but just wanted to say I hope you and your family are going as best as can be in this situation and that you can still talk to them and that they are safe. I read that you were able to talk to them for a few hours which is great and you have some strategies in place like meditation to help you. I hope they are still helping you now. How are you going? ... View more

@Anzelmo I really appreciate this post, really made me consider positive things about life on a day where I was feeling a bit stressed out so thank you! I love reading all the things people love about themselves. 3 things I like about me: - I like that I'm empathetic and understanding towards other people's circumstances - I like that I always try to face the things that scare me, even if I need help to do so - I like how much effort/care I put into the people around me to make sure they feel supported/loved 3 things I appreciate about others: - I love when people talk about things they are passionate about and share their passion with others and it lights up their whole face - I love when other people remember something little you told them ages ago and check in on how that thing is going later - I love when people give you a squeeze when they hug you and hold on extra long especially when they know you need it ... View more

@priyaaaa oh nooo that's so far away!! that's so great that you and that girl get along well! I hope the group's dynamic is going well and that you feel like they're okay/right for you. That sounds amazing I love English I wish my school had both those subjects we only had the first English not the English language one, but I would have loved to take that. Thank you so much for that support, it means a lot! ... View more

hey @musicfan_xo just thought I'd jump on board and say hi! I'm sorry to hear you're struggling right now, but I would love to talk and get to know each other  ... View more

@priyaaaa that sucks that he lives so far away, but at least you got to hang out at the party! Did his sister accept your request yet? I hope you get to see him for the 21st, when is the party? YAY I'm so glad your first few days went well, how did last week go? I know, when you go from holidays to school, it's like you've forgotten how to do an 8 hour school day plus anything before and after school and then do homework, it's crazy, being at uni now I don't know how I did so much at school. It's sounds like you handled the social aspect of school really well, chatting to some people, participating in the icebreakers, sitting with yourself too, that's good that your classes did icebreakers so then you can get to know people better. I know it does, so happy I've been able to go on this journey with you. Also I saw in the last post the classes you're taking, they look so interesting, can I ask what the difference is between English and English language? Also I totally understand the feeling of anticipating the stress that may come with lots of work etc. I feel like I'm anticipating it for uni this year and it's not fun, but I'm trying to change my mindset and just take it as it comes and tell myself I'll be strong enough to handle it and if I can't then ask for help. ... View more

Reading through this thread genuinely made my day it made me so happy and unlocked so many happy memories. I think this may be my favourite thread.   Things I love: - When someone gives you a really tight hug and hugs you for a really long time - The sound of the crash of the waves on the shore (just the beach in general really) - First thing in the morning when the sun comes through sheer curtains and it's really sunny and sparkly - When you notice something new on a street you've walked down a thousand times - When you get into bed at night and it's just the perfect temperature - When you listen to a song loud through headphones ... View more

Hi @BunnyWalks I live in SA and not sure if its the same as VIC, but especially with everything in COVID, my regular GP and specialists have allowed phone consults so that I don't need to go in and that's arranged by calling the practice I go to and asking the receptionist if it can be a phone consult instead. Also even speaking to the receptionists at the practices I go to they direct me to where I need to go or try to answer questions if I have them, so you could try that. I hope that helps, all the best  ... View more

I'm a bit late to this party considering Sunday was a few days ago, but something superb about my Sunday was I got to go to the beach and go for a lovely walk and dip in the water. ... View more

@saltwaterdreamtime I can't imagine what January 26th must be like for you. But I just wanted to jump on here and voice the fact that I'm listening to what you're saying and that if people are protesting for change the date, they should also care what you have to say as someone they are 'protesting for'. It's totally okay and understandable that you are mad and frustrated. I'm sorry about all those hurtful comments. And also it's okay that protesting in a pandemic scares you, it scares me too. You are right though, things like this are not a trend they are real issues that affect communities with real feelings. ... View more

@priyaaaa OOooooh that's so exciting your first 18th! I love all these year 12 milestones, also that's so exciting, how did your talk with him go? Does he go to your school/is he someone you could be friends with? I'm also excited and nervous for you, I hope your return to school is good, please update me after tomorrow, I want to hear all about it! Enjoy your last day of holidays @musicfan_xo thank you very much, it's always fun to see people's fun and creative usernames, I always wonder the story behind people's username, if there is one! ... View more

@priyaaaa awww that is so kind of you to say, made my day, thank you! I think that sounds like a really good plan, lately I've been realising alone time is actually a beautiful thing, I've been trying to have more 'me' time too and sometimes it is scary, but then I realised I could do things on my own time and do what I genuinely want to do. I love that quote I think that is so beautiful and very very true. I like your plan to naturally gravitate towards people and just I suppose let the chips fall and let the universe do what it shall do. I feel like just suss the vibes and how you feel and decide in the moment once school goes back and also you can always change your mind or decide 'today I'd really like to be by myself' and the next day be like 'no I might sit with this group' etc, I'm not sure if that makes sense I hope it does. Sometimes the things that scare us the most are the best, most worthwhile risk to take. I hope you're having a great day today! ... View more

@kelleh I'm so sorry to hear you're going through this, I can't imagine how tough this must be for you. I'm sorry I don't know what's going to happen or what your doctor will do. I think your sister is just trying to look out for you and reporting you is the only way she can think of to help, I'm sure she is scared too and just wants you to be okay. I understand that you feel embarrassed, but maybe going back to see your doctor to talk to them about your opioid addiction could help your recovery? Those experiences in hospital and almost dying sound really scary and I can understand that they must be really traumatic for you. Would you consider talking to a psychologist or counsellor to help you with your addiction, past trauma and self-harm? We are here to support you, know you're not alone and you will get through this ... View more

@Mars_Elliot this is honestly so so great and you should be very proud of yourself, it's important to rejoice in these wins! I hope this has given you a bit more confidence for other social interactions since then! How have you been going over the past month? ... View more

@Lilly_87 I'm sorry this is something that happens when you drink, it must be quite scary, but you honestly should be hella proud for acknowledging this is something that happens and taking some time away from alcohol. As @Sophia-RO said, it could be worthwhile to talk to a professional about this, to get down to the root of the situation and figure out some strategies to help, do you think this is something that could help you? I'm sorry that you feel depressed and ashamed after a night out, have you spoken to your friends or family about this? These feelings of anger, depression etc. with alcohol were experienced by a friend of mine who was on medication and just mixing alcohol with that did not go well for her. But she let me and my other friends know and we were there to help and support her with it and ensured no one peer pressured her or anything like that. I'm not sure whether this is a similar situation for you, but sometimes alcohol has some funky effects when mixed with other things or brings out feelings that have been suppressed. I hope you're going okay ... View more

Must there be a reason for everything? ... View more

the nearest thing to me with a ginger colour is this pair of shorts in my wardrobe.   indigo? ... View more

@antoniobevan Mac miller's story is definitely a sad one, this song is so good though! Is anyone else listening to the hottest 100 today? ... View more

I hope everyone's challenges are going well! I love this, I feel like it really gives an overall goal/focus for each day.   I'm hoping my next 3 days will look like this: Day 1: take notice – be more present in the conversations I'm having and the tasks I'm completing Day 2: connect – I will reach out to some friends and my grandparents who I haven't seen in a while and check in on them to see if they need anything Day 3: give – I will ask my family members if there's anything I can do to help them e.g. any chores or things to do to prepare for the week ... View more

@priyaaaa maybe you could try to find the audiobook or find it online and get your laptop to play it out loud through speech to hear it? I'm also really trying to get into reading again, but I haven't found the right book yet. It's okay that it takes years to be fluent, small steps still help, like when I'm learning Italian I listen to Italian songs and watch Italian movies or English ones and put subtitles on. You could even get your friend to teach you some to start you off? But yeah especially going into Year 12, I can understand why you might leave language classes for now. From my experience, no one put me on the spot and asked me about myself like that, there were more little questions here and there that they used to get to know me, so I think your friends would do that too. I'm sorry that you feel like you don't know who you are, but it's okay, I feel like this too. I went on a date last week and my date literally asked me that exact question and I was like lol what do I like, what type of person am I, I have no idea. I like to ask my friends and family or do personality quizzes to help me understand myself or when little thoughts come into my head like 'ooh I really enjoyed doing ...' or 'I didn't do that so well but did that better' I write it down so I don't have to think of it on the spot. I'm not sure if that will help you, but I think it's okay that you don't know 100% who you are. From our conversations, you seem very considerate, and thoughtful and openminded. You ask me questions back and read carefully what I've written and ask me about it which shows you're caring and an active listener. I love that you said you deserve strong connections with mutual interest and passion. You go girl, manifest those positive vibes and those friendships because you do deserve that and I'm so happy you recognise that! And it is totally understandable that you don't want to feel sad and want a good group of friends around, I feel the same. That sounds like a lovely New Years. Mine was good, my friends' sister had a small party maybe 25 people so we were hanging out with them, it was fun. ... View more

@priyaaaa I'm sorry I took so long to respond. I hope your week has gone well! Ooooh I had to read the crucible for my year 12 English, but I've never heard of the other ones, are they good? I've always wanted to learn spanish, are you doing it through a course or on your own? They also sound like really good social media boundaries, I'm glad they're working for you! Of course, we can talk about anything that's on your mind. When I approached the group I definitely had a period of loneliness and apprehension, I think I felt a bit lonely because I was losing my old friends who I had been in a group with for so many years, but my new friends were very welcoming so I think it helped the loneliness pass relatively quickly, but as for the apprehension I think that lasted a bit longer because I was thinking about the fact I had just approached them and whether they would like me and what if it didn't work out, lots of worst case scenarios, especially because they were already close. I remember the first few weeks I would write down what I could talk to them about that day but in the end I never needed to worry sometimes the conversation would be a little awkward but I feel like that often happens with new friends, we started doing more together, we found things we had in common and the great thing about school is you can always talk about school. Also the thing about being in a group is you can sit and listen and observe and get to know them as well as them getting to know you. I think there was a bit of time where I didn't feel like I fit 100% in straight away because the group already existed, but that feeling eased after a while too. But I think it's important to remember different people open up to new people at different rates, so it's okay if it feels awkward at first, some friendships happen fast and others happen a bit more gradually. I'm so happy you had such a wonderful Christmas!! How was your New Years? ... View more

I hope everyone has a wonderful new year! Thank you for tonight, it was honestly a great chat! ... View more

@WheresMySquishy honestly preach this whole post, that is so inspirational to me, especially the oath to yourself and being true to who you are <3 ... View more

And for our final question this evening (and for the year eeeee)   How will you look after yourself and people you care about in the coming year? (This could be what you will do, who you surround yourself with, how you manage challenges, etc).    ... View more

@WheresMySquishy oooh they all sound like such fun things, I want to do a few of those myself! I have a massive booklist as well, going to try to get through as many as I can next year. @lost_Space_Explorer5 good luck with your psych, I know it can be scary but you can do it, I believe in you! ... View more