dearest faith, it’s so endearing to read everything you write- like looking into a mirror which is bizarre since we live on opposite sides of this world
I loved this so much! As a 17-year-old, I often feel like my life is so boring compared to others. It sometimes horrifies me that I'm about to graduate high school next year because I don't think I've done anything memorable with the time I've had. Being Christian with strict parents, I've always felt like I was being shielded by some important danger that was supposed to contribute to my growth. That mindset, I fear, has led me to be pretty ungrateful for all the good I have. I tend to focus on all the bad in hopes it will make my story more interesting, but instead of feeling more interesting, I just have burnout from trying to make something happen. However, I'm coming out of that place, and reading this made me feel a little less alone. Thank you for that :)
I’m so glad that this could help you :’) it’s funny you mention the whole christian / strict parents thing because it was the case for me too. It was kind of a big factor in why I didn’t feel like I was living my teenage life to the fullest, and why I eventually began causing problems just so I could say i had something going on 🫠 I’m so glad that you’re recognizing the danger of focusing on the bad, because honestly I think that you can have just as eventful of a teenagehood by focusing on good. although I do believe that screwing up teaches valuable lessons, but they’re not always necessary 🥲 I think that you have already made immense progress by simply acknowledging flaws in the system of imposing sadness upon oneself. so proud of you and thank you for reading / sharing <3 :,)
i feel so seen after reading this 💌 when you mentioned how re-watching lady bird lets you see your own person growth, i completely agree with that. it’s always been my favorite movie and the last few times i’ve rewatched i’ve started to feel that way as well. such a beautiful piece and i can’t wait to read more of your writing. (also so much love for girl meets world 🩷)
Faith, I love this piece so much!!! You basically just wrote all my feelings at once about being a teenager. I cannot say "when I was still a teenager" because I am still a teenager, but what I can say is that I sometimes cry myself to sleep whenever I see my friends post in their instagram about their hangouts, and their hangouts were almost everyday. As a teen with strict parents, you know how horrible that feels like. And with that, I always thought my teenage years are doomed. But then again, when morning comes up, I realized that living your teenage life to the fullest isn't all about hanging out. It can be simple moments with yourself, with friends, loved ones, even strangers here and there. Though I allow myself to be sad that I can't really hang out most of the time, I remind myself there's more to that. Thank you, Faith :))
From a possessor of horrible first gen childhood, I love that it only took you until you were 23 to be stoked on the luck. I also really love the reasons you love ladybird. They happen to be the same reasons I hated that movie. It was refreshing to read someone just admitting their parents did a good job and they were loved, instead of the trauma Olympics we often fall into. I love that things were alright for you. It's how it should be.
it feels like it took me forever to learn to be grateful for it! I should have recognized it sooner, but I suppose everyone works on their own timelines. and yeah, about Lady Bird! normally when people tell me they don't like one of my favorite movies I get offended, but this is one of those movies that just isn't for everyone. my own mother didn't even like it, which is funny, because the turbulent nature of my relationship with her (particularly in high school; thanks hormones for making me act out!) is probably the biggest reason I loved it. it's definitely tailored to a specific experience / upbringing so whenever someone tells me they didn't like it, or it didn't particularly strike them in any way, I totally understand. it's definitely not a universal recommendation.
thank you for reading—it really makes me glad that the meaning translated over to folks with opposite experiences, that was something I was nervous about prior to publishing!
Oh, this was interesting. I was also writing something similar of me looking back at my childhood and reflecting on it, but coming from the other side—the unlucky ones. It's quite eerie to have read this, like the universe's message or something. Haha. Right now, it still sits in the draft because I'm still so scared to be vulnerable that way. 😅 I really enjoyed reading this one. I never felt like you were boasting or that the privilege escaped you. I can totally see where you're coming from. This gives me hope that there are lucky ones out there, and it's possible to cultivate a life like it. ❤️
Ok—I'm quite new to being active on Substack and my first time to comment on anything, so I'm quite unsure how to navigate around here. 🙈
omg so honored to be your first comment… thank you so much 🥲 and thank you for taking the time to read! I’m so glad that it came across the way I wanted, it’s definitely a vulnerable topic on both sides of the spectrum — but just so you know, if you ever publish it I would love to read :) ❤️🩹
random but I was just watching gossip girl and thinking about how I’d consider my teenage life unremarkable & boring compared to the characters/other teenagers because it is largely peaceful with no chaos or drama. but then I also tell myself that’s something to be grateful for. lovee this 🤍
this comment is going to make me cry 🥲 I was honestly so nervous about posting it because I didn’t know if people would relate or even understand where I was coming from but folks like you commenting are so validating. ❤️🩹 thank you so much for reading. your babies are so lucky to have you as a parent, it warms my heart to hear how much you love them <3
dearest faith, it’s so endearing to read everything you write- like looking into a mirror which is bizarre since we live on opposite sides of this world
Making my heart swell!!!!! this is so sweet, thank you so much for reading <3 I’m so glad you can resonate and feel understood 🥲🫠
I loved this so much! As a 17-year-old, I often feel like my life is so boring compared to others. It sometimes horrifies me that I'm about to graduate high school next year because I don't think I've done anything memorable with the time I've had. Being Christian with strict parents, I've always felt like I was being shielded by some important danger that was supposed to contribute to my growth. That mindset, I fear, has led me to be pretty ungrateful for all the good I have. I tend to focus on all the bad in hopes it will make my story more interesting, but instead of feeling more interesting, I just have burnout from trying to make something happen. However, I'm coming out of that place, and reading this made me feel a little less alone. Thank you for that :)
I’m so glad that this could help you :’) it’s funny you mention the whole christian / strict parents thing because it was the case for me too. It was kind of a big factor in why I didn’t feel like I was living my teenage life to the fullest, and why I eventually began causing problems just so I could say i had something going on 🫠 I’m so glad that you’re recognizing the danger of focusing on the bad, because honestly I think that you can have just as eventful of a teenagehood by focusing on good. although I do believe that screwing up teaches valuable lessons, but they’re not always necessary 🥲 I think that you have already made immense progress by simply acknowledging flaws in the system of imposing sadness upon oneself. so proud of you and thank you for reading / sharing <3 :,)
i feel so seen after reading this 💌 when you mentioned how re-watching lady bird lets you see your own person growth, i completely agree with that. it’s always been my favorite movie and the last few times i’ve rewatched i’ve started to feel that way as well. such a beautiful piece and i can’t wait to read more of your writing. (also so much love for girl meets world 🩷)
Faith, I love this piece so much!!! You basically just wrote all my feelings at once about being a teenager. I cannot say "when I was still a teenager" because I am still a teenager, but what I can say is that I sometimes cry myself to sleep whenever I see my friends post in their instagram about their hangouts, and their hangouts were almost everyday. As a teen with strict parents, you know how horrible that feels like. And with that, I always thought my teenage years are doomed. But then again, when morning comes up, I realized that living your teenage life to the fullest isn't all about hanging out. It can be simple moments with yourself, with friends, loved ones, even strangers here and there. Though I allow myself to be sad that I can't really hang out most of the time, I remind myself there's more to that. Thank you, Faith :))
From a possessor of horrible first gen childhood, I love that it only took you until you were 23 to be stoked on the luck. I also really love the reasons you love ladybird. They happen to be the same reasons I hated that movie. It was refreshing to read someone just admitting their parents did a good job and they were loved, instead of the trauma Olympics we often fall into. I love that things were alright for you. It's how it should be.
it feels like it took me forever to learn to be grateful for it! I should have recognized it sooner, but I suppose everyone works on their own timelines. and yeah, about Lady Bird! normally when people tell me they don't like one of my favorite movies I get offended, but this is one of those movies that just isn't for everyone. my own mother didn't even like it, which is funny, because the turbulent nature of my relationship with her (particularly in high school; thanks hormones for making me act out!) is probably the biggest reason I loved it. it's definitely tailored to a specific experience / upbringing so whenever someone tells me they didn't like it, or it didn't particularly strike them in any way, I totally understand. it's definitely not a universal recommendation.
thank you for reading—it really makes me glad that the meaning translated over to folks with opposite experiences, that was something I was nervous about prior to publishing!
Oh, this was interesting. I was also writing something similar of me looking back at my childhood and reflecting on it, but coming from the other side—the unlucky ones. It's quite eerie to have read this, like the universe's message or something. Haha. Right now, it still sits in the draft because I'm still so scared to be vulnerable that way. 😅 I really enjoyed reading this one. I never felt like you were boasting or that the privilege escaped you. I can totally see where you're coming from. This gives me hope that there are lucky ones out there, and it's possible to cultivate a life like it. ❤️
Ok—I'm quite new to being active on Substack and my first time to comment on anything, so I'm quite unsure how to navigate around here. 🙈
omg so honored to be your first comment… thank you so much 🥲 and thank you for taking the time to read! I’m so glad that it came across the way I wanted, it’s definitely a vulnerable topic on both sides of the spectrum — but just so you know, if you ever publish it I would love to read :) ❤️🩹
random but I was just watching gossip girl and thinking about how I’d consider my teenage life unremarkable & boring compared to the characters/other teenagers because it is largely peaceful with no chaos or drama. but then I also tell myself that’s something to be grateful for. lovee this 🤍
it totally is, i only wish i had recognized that earlier 🫠❤️🩹 thank you so much for reading!!!
this comment is going to make me cry 🥲 I was honestly so nervous about posting it because I didn’t know if people would relate or even understand where I was coming from but folks like you commenting are so validating. ❤️🩹 thank you so much for reading. your babies are so lucky to have you as a parent, it warms my heart to hear how much you love them <3