Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Flip

Original poster

i am really struggling

13 replies

zeitgeista · 04/01/2021 02:01

hi i hope this is the right place to post. i have been a lurker for a while after hearing people talk about mumsnet on twitter and once i started looking around i realised it was usually quite a supportive place to come to.

i'm a teenager and i'm really struggling with the corona situation. i know others have it harder and thankfully i haven't lost anyone or even known anyone who has gotten it but i am struggling more than i thought i would with not being able to go out and see my friends.
i started at a new school in september and made some new friends and it was really nice being able to see them. however now i am not going back to school until the 18th and possibly even longer, and i can't see them outside of school either.

this is really just a vent so i'm sorry and don't feel obliged to reply, i just can't really talk to anyone about it and since this is anonymous it seems like a good place to go.

OP posts:

thaegumathteth · 04/01/2021 02:25

I think most of us are struggling and that's ok. This is utterly shit, when you've just started at a new school that's even more tough.

Could you contact friends and do virtual things like escape rooms / quizzes / sleepovers?

RomeoLikedCapuletGirls · 04/01/2021 02:28

I understand exactly where you’re coming from. My DS started college but has barely seen his classmates. I feel for all students starting out at college of uni. It’s a crap situation to be in.

Is there any way you can suggest out of hours socials on Zoom with your new classmates as I’m sure they’ll be feeling the same way?

If you are too shy to do that you could always go to the additional support / well-being centre at the college. They must have something in place to combat the isolation students are feeling.

Time40 · 04/01/2021 02:29

I'm sorry you're struggling. MN is usually quite a supportive place to come to - I'll just give you a bump in the hope of some more replies.

Weedsnseeds1 · 04/01/2021 02:31

I have every sympathy for you. The lack of social contact at the moment is horrendous, and I am a lot older than you[smile

Valkadin · 04/01/2021 02:34

My son is a teenager and has coped by doing lots of stuff online with friends. He also runs a cadet group so that’s a voluntary job really. He also games so is on headset playing a co operative game.

It is hard on everyone. It’s not that long but as you are so young those few months are such a massive chunk of your life you probably feel it more than me as I have been around for decades so it is a much smaller part.

AtlasPine · 04/01/2021 02:34

It is really hard at the moment - I bet lots of your peers feel this too. Keep talking to them and talk to trusted adults about how you feel. Don’t be afraid to open up. Also, your head of year or tutor may be able to give you the phone number of a counselling or listening service you can ring to talk with someone when you’re really low.

Most of all, keep an eye on the light at the end of the tunnel. I truly believe your generation are going to be so special - you will be the ones who don’t take everything for granted and will rediscover real joy and in the freedoms we took for granted when all this is over. This horrible time will end.

KILNAMATRA · 04/01/2021 08:59

Can you volunteer to walk someone's dog or help with shopping? Make sure you get out for a walk somehow?

Original poster

zeitgeista · 04/01/2021 12:38

hi thank you for all the responses.
my friends and i have called a few times but really it's not the same. i think it is just because i miss the summer (2019 and before of course) when we could just sit around together without having to wear masks, social distance etc.

i haven't been able to hug my new friends yet and it's just so different to friendships before when we would hug all the time and just generally be able to be close together and not even think about it.
for context i moved house in about march of this year but didn't start school until september and so couldn't go out anywhere to make friends really because as soon as we got here lockdowns started and places closed.

i had a bad childhood and lost most of my teen years due to bullying and friendship group issues and once these finally settled down i moved and so now that i've got a 'fresh start' to enjoy my teen years properly, it's really hard that they'll be wasted inside, alone.

i'm planning on going for walks soon, maybe not daily but i will try and push myself a few days a week.
sorry for such a pity party but i really am grateful for all of the responses.

OP posts:

Hijoso · 04/01/2021 12:41

This sounds so hard for you @op, my nephews are 17 and 19 and are feeling exactly the same. They're very social and live for the gym and they're going stir crazy not being able to go.

Do your friends do Zoom quizes or anything like that?

Original poster

zeitgeista · 04/01/2021 16:50

sometimes we all pay among us while video calling but tbh now it just seems so forced as something we have to do to keep up contact rather than something fun

OP posts:

ilovebagpuss · 04/01/2021 16:59

Hello I know what you mean my DD has lots of calls with her friends but it’s not the same as just hanging out together. Are you allowed to meet for a careful walk where you are ? Could you arrange a visit to a Park or something and each take a treat like hot choc in a flask or biscuits.
I know it sounds a bit daft but at least you could walk about together with a drink and actually connect. It’s really hard for everyone so don’t be afraid to open up I’m sure your family and friends will support you if you say it’s making you really low you certainly aren’t alone.

Bearnecessity · 04/01/2021 17:16

Oh I think teenagers are doing so well to hold it together in this fiasco.My ds 18 is lucky with his circumstances but still finding it hard. I am sorry you had a bad childhood and that the new starts and good times are constantly being delayed for you, so frustrating.Hang in there your time will come and the good times will roll in again.Well done for being resourceful and finding Mumsnet there are a lot of good people on here...have you thought about volunteering for Cinnamon that helps people struggling to walk their dogs.....having my dog forces me to get out and about.It would help you the dogs,the clients and would be something to put on a CV and you do talk to a lot of people with a pooch in tow....just an idea...good luck Op hope something breaks for you soon.

PainterInPeril · 04/01/2021 21:55

Hi Zeitgeista, I'm sorry you're struggling. Hopefully things will start to improve soon, and/or we can all start coping better! Sending a covid-free hug!

Flip