life help: I am in a huge dilemma… I am 17 yrs old and I’ve - Help.com

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The choices we make, move us in one of two directions. Away from our vision and goals or toward them. If you have a clear set goal, and it sounds like you do, then you have to make the right choices to move you toward that. Some of those choices may not “taste very good”, but they still move you forward… and remember, if you’re not moving forward you are moving backwards. Finish University, with a clear idea of your vision… it is a necessary evil for you. Once completed, then your dreams are even closer to being fulfilled. Also seek other employment opportunities that may open up opportunity for you. I’m sorry to hear of your troubles, but you sound like you have a fairly clear head on your shoulders none the less.

please dont commit suicide its not the way. please stay and try to live, Liv =] go do what makes you happy, get rejuvenated, and go back to school because i can tell you are really tired of things and need a little break..maybe you should let your parents know so they don’t worry when you leave ..please try to make thing work… don’t give up your still young there is so much more waiting to be find =] i hope this motivate you a little or a LOT please please stay alive

Liv, It is clear that you are in a lot of pain and the fact that you found your way to this website shows that you are trying to find a way out from the scenario you have set for yourself. That is, it seems like you have painted yourself into a “black and white” corner that you feel like you either have to go to Japan or have to kill yourself…and that if things don’t go perfectly (exactly the way you want or expect), you feel like you would kill yourself anyway.

If you really can’t think of anyone you feel you to talk to face to face, I really encourage you to call someone at the hotline provided by this website. There is also 1-800-784-243.

Running away to a far off land sounds romantic, but you can’t runaway from your problems. Sounds like you’ve already discovered that based on what you shared about living in lots of places already. What is it about Japan that you feel would be so different than your current situation?

I know that the faceless strangers among us are often too preoccupied in their own daily lives to notice people who are in pain or need, but that doesn’t mean everyone is an uncaring wretch. Have you reached out to anyone, could be from a club at school, a counselor, a teacher you feel connected to, a neighbor? Unless you flex your voice most people just don’t notice you’re in need. That doesn’t mean they are cruel or uncaring, they just don’t know you’re hurting. And hurting yourself physically isn’t the way to get their attention. Please consider that there are many choices you can make other than hurting yourself or running away.

If you don’t want to try either of the other two phone lines, there is also a hotline to help teens who are contemplating running away or just need someone to talk to: 1-800-843-5200. If you are considering hurting yourself, there is still yet another hotline you can call: 1-800-366-8288.

Liv, help is out there if you want to take it. But only you can make that decision. Don’t blame the world if you aren’t willing to reach out and try to get some help. I suspect that might have been a problem with your earlier encounters with psychologists…people cannot help you if you don’t let them in. Until you’re ready for that, there is really no point to seeing another psychologist.

well, going to a different country isnt going to solve your problems.
but travelling for a bit, and seeing new things and exploring new opportunities can help you get a fresh perspective.
just a thought-maybe look into being an Au Pair/nanny.
there are a sh!ton of jobs like that around the world-usually american families stationed in some country who need someone to look after the kiddies for a few hours each day. contracts are usually 6 months or a year long, and there are plenty of agencies who can get you jobs.

just a thought anyways.
i am personally a huge advocate of going and travelling before commiting to study at university. so if i were you, i would go to japan, have an awesome time, then come home and perhaps go to uni, or perhaps not…depending on what you decide.
theres no law that says you HAVE to be a student. its your life, so do what makes you happy at the time. you can always go back to study later. even transfer to a different school.
OR, look into exchanges. most universities have exchange programmes, and its pretty likely you could go study in japan for up to a year.