The Daily Catastrophes of the Girl Who Was All Wrong (A Short Story)

The SOVA Project is happy to feature this blog post written by one in our team of fantastic SOVA Ambassadors—these are young people who help create meaningful blog posts from adolescents’ perspectives. We hope you can use their post to start a conversation with your adolescent.

I wrote the following short story (in the genre of magical realism!) about a girl who, like many of us here, struggles with anxiety throughout her everyday life.

The Daily Catastrophes of the Girl Who Was All Wrong

Continue reading The Daily Catastrophes of the Girl Who Was All Wrong (A Short Story)

How Do You “Self-Care?”

The SOVA Project is happy to feature this blog post written by one in our team of fantastic SOVA Ambassadors—these are young people who help create meaningful blog posts from adolescents’ perspectives. We hope you can use their post to start a conversation with your adolescent.

There are so many ways people have tried to take care of themselves. At certain times face masks seemed like a great answer for a spa night. Sometimes people enjoy working out or going for a walk outside to get some fresh air. I am curious about what are some of the best things everyone else does when you feel like you need a moment to yourself? Continue reading How Do You “Self-Care?”

Teaching Your Child When to Disengage Online During Heightened Emotions

Now is a sensitive time more than ever. Current events such as COVID, Black Lives Matter, and discussions over trans rights are revealing the issues with the systems that have been in place in our society for not just the past few years, but for decades and centuries, and how these issues have been affecting certain groups more than others. The Internet and social media giving platforms to experts and those who have been affected have made it easier for them to educate and tell others why things are so difficult and how drastic the effects are for minority groups. You most likely have seen these kinds of posts on Instagram and twitter presented in colorful graphics with easy and simple to read text and pictures.  Continue reading Teaching Your Child When to Disengage Online During Heightened Emotions

The Moment I Realized I Need A Therapist

The SOVA Project is happy to feature this blog post written by one in our team of fantastic SOVA Ambassadors—these are young people who help create meaningful blog posts from adolescents’ perspectives. We hope you can use their post to start a conversation with your adolescent.

For what seems to be my entire life, I feel that I always manage my stress, anxiety, and struggles on my own – which I don’t think now looking back was the best thing to do. If I can be honest, I have always been insanely independent, and don’t like asking for help. I was always “that person” who brushed off the idea of a therapist, or speaking out my problems with someone who may be able to make me feel better.  This is the story of when I came to what felt like my breaking point, and I finally realized that I need to seek help by getting a therapist.  Continue reading The Moment I Realized I Need A Therapist

Coming to Terms with a Fractured Parent Relationship

The SOVA Project is happy to feature this blog post written by one in our team of fantastic SOVA Ambassadors—these are young people who help create meaningful blog posts from adolescents’ perspectives. We hope you can use their post to start a conversation with your adolescent.

As long as I can remember, my mother and I have had a rocky relationship. We would have long stretches of times without any fights, and then out of nowhere, a fight would erupt and we’d go weeks or months without speaking to each other. Most of this occurred whenever I was in high school, but our problems never completely went away.  Continue reading Coming to Terms with a Fractured Parent Relationship

Helping Your Child Find Positivity this Summer

As temperatures begin to rise and summer has officially begun, the temptation and need to go outside can feel even higher than usual. You’ve probably seen tons of advice (including on here) about how spending just a few minutes outdoors, especially during quarantine, can have a huge impact on mental health, but right now, the sunlight and summer as a whole can cause some mixed emotions. Continue reading Helping Your Child Find Positivity this Summer

“Lady Bird” and Moms

The SOVA Project is happy to feature this blog post written by one in our team of fantastic SOVA Ambassadors—these are young people who help create meaningful blog posts from adolescents’ perspectives. We hope you can use their post to start a conversation with your adolescent.

Lady Bird

Recently, I watched the award-winning coming of age film, Lady Bird, on Netflix. Rather than focusing on Christine’s (or Lady Bird’s) portrayal, I found her mother Marion to be more interesting. While I understand that there is a common belief amongst the older generations that the “teenage phase” equals the “moody phase,” Marion’s actions certainly did not help Lady Bird’s attitude. Continue reading “Lady Bird” and Moms

Quick Fixes for When You Are on the Brink of a Panic Attack

The SOVA Project is happy to feature this blog post written by one in our team of fantastic SOVA Ambassadors—these are young people who help create meaningful blog posts from adolescents’ perspectives. We hope you can use their post to start a conversation with your adolescent.

Please note that all the content in this post is based off of my personal experiences and is not applicable to everyone.

Recently, I have been having fewer and fewer panic attacks. While my anxiety is situational, my situation has not drastically improved in the last few weeks, I’ve just been learning how to prevent the panic attacks better. This is basically all thanks to my new therapist (she is so awesome) so a lot of this advice is from her, not me, and I felt the need to share it. Continue reading Quick Fixes for When You Are on the Brink of a Panic Attack