This letter writer seems pretty mature for a teen, but can’t control her anger. 

Can our elder set her on the path to patience and perseverance?

 

Dear EWC

Hello, I just can’t seem to figure out how to deal with everything in my life. I always seem to bottle stuff up and explode in a rage of anger and I can never seem to be able to get my parents to listen to me and they keep tearing me down and telling me and others that I can do better when I know that I am trying my hardest. I know that I am just a teenager but if you ask almost anyone that I know they will tell you that I have an old soul and that I am much more mature than the average teenager and that I am going far but I just don’t know how to deal with everything. Can someone please help me?

 

PicklesMarie replies

I’m an old lady. I will try to help. However, do not hesitate to write in again anytime for more help. Those teenage years are quite a trip!

Others say you have an old soul and you are mature beyond your years. They think you will go far. Hang onto all those accolades! Keep in mind, however, that even if you seem like a mature old soul, you are still a teen. Your brain won’t think like an adult brain until you are about 25 years old. 

You don’t think you’re dealing well with life. You bottle stuff up and then explode. Not good! This can, however, be changed. 

Your parents never seem to want to listen to you, keep tearing you down, and telling you you can do better. You can probably do better and it might not be a matter of trying harder… it might be a matter of trying a different approach. The old motto of “work smarter, not harder” may serve you. As a teen it would bode you well to listen to your parents rather than trying, trying, and trying to get them to listen to you (your teen logic may not make sense to an adult).

Teen brains, which are still developing, may lack skills in problem-solving, decision-making, and rationality. You may tend to be emotional, irrational, and impulsive… because you are a teen (I know you’ve been described as an old soul, but, nevertheless, you are still a teen. Look at those anger rages!).

You might list all that you’re trying to deal with. After you make your list, mark the things you cannot change and the things that won’t be evident to you until you’re older. Forget those things. It may be that you are trying to do too much all at once. Use that ‘old soul’ to create patience and perseverance. 

I hope I’ve given you a slightly new improved path. Know that for many of us it takes years and years to set the path correctly. Patience. Persistence. 

Article #: 441599

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