Item — HN Reader

I have a houseful of giggling, happy teens right now. The ones that are supposed to be suffering so awfully according to some. They aren’t. They have struggles and fears I know of, and many I don’t I’m sure. They are just as pragmatic about them as any generation between now and Plato (and longer) has been.

Don’t believe what you read, and perhaps don’t judge anyone at their worst moments. Don’t stereotype based on the vocal and visible few.

1 comments

I’m describing my own childhood and life. Not everyone was a happy, giggling teen. Some of us have lived with an existential fear of death (could never believe the happy stories of an afterlife that I was told) from a young age.

Here’s a story written yesterday about a child who is already experiencing this in kindergarten.

https://www.thecut.com/2023/09/do-kids-need-ambition.html

You may think that because you have not suffered, no one else does, but I assure you that is not correct.

Take care.

I can’t begin to know your experience. The fact is that I live with an unyielding fear of people. So even as I’m grateful for the joy in the house right now I’m deeply uncomfortable, bordering on panic.

Im grateful that I can see the fear is unfounded but that doesn’t make it less real. That knowledge extends to knowing the fear is only impactful on others if I let it manifest in my actions. It always will, but insomuch as I choose my actions it doesn’t have to make much mark on the world.

Reading that now it feels a little awful but I absolutely don’t mean it so. I hope you can find peace for yourself.