Don't stay in draining situations.
10/16/2025
I'm going through a big life transition right now. I'm changing everything, basically. I have to restart--make new friends, get a new career, move out. All of these things are coming down the pipeline now. But it's because I stopped tolerating what was hurting me.
Try this if you're curious: pull out a piece of paper, and write two columns: Draining and Neutral+.
List everything in your life that's draining, even a little! Not all stressful things are draining. Oftentimes they can be satisfying, but if they're NOT and you have to do them, you should probably add them to this side. Don't make excuses for anything or anyone.
Now list everything you can think of that's neutral or positive. Be as honest as you possibly can. Meaning: Only write it down if, the majority of the time, that thing genuinely brings you energy, and you *like* it. Don't make excuses for anything or anyone.
Go sit somewhere private and think about how much energy you lose facing all those draining people, places, and things. If you're tired, if you're struggling, that's your to-do list to cut out of your life. You need to stop the bleeding. I want you to be brutal about it, for yourself, because it really matters. Honestly I think it's heartbreaking people live like this for so long. I sure have. Getting a therapist, meds, and smoking weed has helped me break out of the headspace I was in.
If you feel tired and anxious and stress and depressed, get what mental health help you can get, and then take a look at that to-do list. Find the thing that would be the absolute easiest to cut out, and pull the trigger. You can do this, you can rejuvenate yourself, you can revitalize yourself. I believe in you. I thought many, many times that I might be a goner, beyond help. The pain and grief those thoughts came from was extremely real, but the conclusion simply wasn't true.
It's not too late for you either. Remember that millions of others your age have been behind and have turned this shit around and rediscovered things that made them really feel alive. Grieve. Cry. Feel bad as hell for yourself. Feel compassion for yourself, for the weight you've been carrying for so long, and above all else be gentle with yourself. The person who you need to be on your side the most is you.
Much love,
Steven