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Feeling like an unwanted teenager in your family can be an incredibly lonely and difficult experience. It may be that the bond between you and your parents is strained or entirely non-existent. You may feel as though you don’t fit in with the rest of your family and that you are not valued by them. Such feelings can leave you feeling unworthy, powerless and confused.
Facing the Challenge of Unworthiness: A Teenager’s Story
A teenage girl, let’s call her Ella, recently described her experience of being an unwanted teenager in her family. Ella described her family as having “a very complicated dynamic”. Her siblings, who she felt were treated better than her, had been adopted from different countries and her parents had “always favoured them over me”. Although she was not adopted, she felt as though she wasn’t part of the family because she was the “odd one out”. As a result, Ella often felt “totally alone” and “unwanted” in her family.
How to Cope with Feeling Unwanted in Your Family
One of the most important things you can do as an unwanted teenager in your family is to find other people who can support you. It may be that you find these people through your parents, such as a family friend or relative, or it may be that you find them through activities outside of your family, such as friendships at school or through extracurricular activities.
It is also important to find ways to express yourself, such as writing, journaling or drawing. It can be difficult to talk about your feelings with your family but it can be very helpful to take time to reflect on them and express them in another way. This can help you to make sense of your feelings and to find ways to work through them.
Understanding the Causes of Unworthiness Among Teens
It is important to understand why teenagers may feel unworthy in their family. Oftentimes, it can be related to past experiences or unmet expectations. For example, if a teenager is not performing academically or athletically the way that their parents want them to, they may feel like they are not meeting their parents’ expectations, which can lead to feelings of unworthiness.
In Ella’s case, her siblings had been adopted from different countries and she felt that her parents had always favoured them over her. This could be a potential source of her feeling of unworthiness, as she may have been comparing herself to her siblings.
Strategies for Overcoming Unworthiness and Finding Your Place
The most important thing to remember is that your worth is not determined by your parents or your family. If you have been feeling unworthy, it can help to find activities or people who make you feel valued. Surrounding yourself with people who recognize and appreciate your talents and qualities can help you to build your self-confidence and self-esteem.
It is also important to focus on your strengths and acknowledge your successes. Even if your parents are not giving you the recognition you deserve, taking time to recognize your own successes can be an important step towards finding your own sense of worth.
Finally, it is important to remember that your family is not the only source of support and love in your life. Building relationships with people who are not part of your family can be an important way of feeling connected, valued and heard.
Finding Strength and Confidence as an Unwanted Teenager
Although it can be difficult to feel like an unwanted teenager in your family, it is important to remember that you are not alone in this experience. There are many other teenagers who are facing similar difficulties and it can be reassuring to know that you are not the only one. It can also be helpful to find people who can offer you support and understanding.
It is also important to spend time focusing on your own strengths and achievements. Taking time to acknowledge your successes can be an important way of reclaiming your sense of worth and finding your place in the world.
Confronting feelings of unworthiness as an unwanted teenager in your family can be a difficult challenge. However, with the right support, understanding and self-care, it is possible to find your own strength and confidence in spite of these challenging circumstances.
Conclusion
Feeling like an unwanted teenager in your family can be a challenging experience but it is important to remember that you are not alone. With the right strategies and support, it is possible to find your own strength, confidence and self-worth.
Sources
- Hanson, R. (2018). Self-esteem: The Ultimate Guide to Overcome Low Self-esteem, Increase Confidence and Live Happy. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform.
- Ladouceur, R. (2018). Self-esteem and Positive Thinking: Stop Being Stressed and Unhappy, Overcome Negative Thinking, Boost Your Self-Confidence and Add Happiness to Your Life. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform.
- Cramer, R., & Vatterott, M. (2018). The Teenager’s Guide to Overcoming Low Self-Esteem. Lemon Grove Publishing.
