I’ve spent years studying people (professionally and casually). I’ve got a sixth sense for reading between the lines. From brain science to heart stuff, I’ve been deep in the human experience—and now I’m here to help you make sense of yours. Think of me as the chill aunt who listens without judgment, gives honest answers, and totally gets that life can be… a lot. This column is your space to be heard, vent, laugh, or ask the big questions—no judgment, just real talk and thoughtful advice from someone who gets it. So drop your questions. I got you. 💬🫶
Question:
Dear Aunt Abby, I’m 14 and lately I’ve been feeling super overwhelmed with everything. School projects, social drama, family stuff, and trying to figure out who I even am. Everyone keeps telling me “these are the best years of your life,” but honestly? I’m just stressed all the time. How do I handle all this pressure without completely burning out? – Overwhelmed in Wisconsin
Dear Overwhelmed,
First, I want to normalize what you’re feeling. That whole “best years of your life” thing? Total myth. Being a teenager in 2025 comes with pressures that adults who say that stuff never had to deal with. Managing school, social life, family expectations, and your own identity while your brain is literally rewiring itself? That’s a lot. So take a deep breath—you’re not failing at being a teenager, you’re just being human.
Let’s talk about how to make things more manageable:
– Break down the overwhelm. Grab a notebook (or notes app) and do a brain dump of everything that’s stressing you out. Sometimes, just getting it all out of your head and onto paper makes it feel less massive. Then sort those stressors into “things I can control” and “things I can’t control.” Focus your energy on the first list.
– Create small pockets of peace. Even 5-10 minutes of intentional downtime can reset your nervous system. Put your phone in another room. Go outside. Listen to music that matches how you want to feel, not how you currently feel. Your brain needs these breaks—it’s not being lazy, it’s literally maintenance.
– Find your “one person.” You don’t need a huge friend group, but having just one person who gets you makes everything more bearable. This could be a friend, cousin, teacher, or a coach—someone you can be real with when things get heavy.
– Lower the bar (temporarily). When you’re drowning in overwhelm, it’s okay to just do the minimal version of things for a bit. Not every assignment needs to be perfect. Not every social interaction needs to be deep. Give yourself permission to just get through some days.
Here’s what I really want you to know: This intense period doesn’t last forever. The brain development happening right now makes everything feel extra big, extra important, extra permanent—but I promise it’s not. You’re in a transition phase, and transition phases are always the hardest.
And that whole “best years” thing? The truth is, life can get so much better after high school when you have more control over your environment and choices. So hang in there—future you is rooting for you.
With love,
Aunt Abby
💜✨ Real talk. Good vibes. Always here for you.
Have a question for Aunt Abby? Our community column is here for you! Send your questions to publisher@goodnewsfoundations.org with “Dear Abby” in the subject line. Your question could be featured in next month’s Grand Chute Gazette. Remember, we’re all figuring life out together—one question at a time.
