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Empathy – Learning to Put Myself in Someone Else’s Shoes

Sometimes we judge too quickly. We see a reaction, a word, or an attitude and draw conclusions without knowing what is happening inside the other person. During adolescence, when emotions are often intense, this happens very often. But… what if, before responding or criticizing, we tried to understand? How would our relationships change if we could look at a situation through someone else’s shoes? This is where empathy comes in. This post invites you to discover what empathy is and how to develop it to improve your relationships and emotional well-being. 1. What Is Empathy? Empathy is the ability to understand how another person feels, even if we don’t think the same way or agree with them. It does not mean justifying everything someone does, but recognizing that their emotions are real. Being empathetic means trying to understand before judging. “Empathy is not agreeing; it is understanding.” 2. Empathy Is Not Weakness Some people think that being empathetic means being soft or lettin...
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Assertiveness and Setting Boundaries – Protecting Myself Without Hurting Others or Staying Silent

There are situations where we feel something is not right, but we don’t know how to say it. Sometimes we stay silent to avoid conflict, and other times we react with anger because we have had enough. In both cases, we end up feeling bad—either for staying silent too long or for saying things in a way we didn’t mean to. But… is it possible to take care of myself without hurting others? Can I say “no” without feeling guilty? How can I set boundaries without fighting or disappearing? This is where assertiveness and healthy boundaries become essential. This post will help you understand how to protect yourself emotionally without hurting others or hurting yourself. 1. Why Do We Need Boundaries? Boundaries are clear signals that show what I am comfortable with and what I am not willing to accept. They are not walls to push people away, but lines that protect my emotional well-being. Without boundaries, it is easy to feel used, pressured, or invisible. With clear boundaries, relationships be...
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Assertive Communication – Expressing What I Think and Feel with Respect

There are moments when we want to say what we think, but we stay silent out of fear of bothering others, looking bad, or causing conflict. At other times, the opposite happens: we speak impulsively, raise our voice, or say things we later regret. In both cases, something important is lost—the chance to communicate in a healthy way. But… is it possible to say what I think without hurting others? Can I express what I feel without attacking or giving in? How can I defend my ideas while still being respectful? This is where assertive communication comes in. This post will help you understand what assertive communication is and how to use it to build better relationships with yourself and with others. 1. What Is Assertive Communication? Assertive communication is the ability to express thoughts, emotions, and needs clearly, honestly, and respectfully. It is not about imposing yourself, nor about staying silent, but about finding balance. Being assertive means saying: what I think, what I fe...
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Friendship – The Influence of My Peer Group

During adolescence, friendships take on a very special role. Friends become daily companions, points of reference, and often the place where one feels understood. With them, laughter, secrets, doubts, and important decisions are shared. Sometimes, their opinions even carry more weight than those of family. But… how much do friends really influence what I think, feel, and do? How can I tell whether a group helps me grow or pushes me into things I don’t truly want? Is it possible to stay true to myself without ending up alone? These questions are key to understanding the power of friendship at this stage of life. This post invites you to reflect on the influence of your peer group and how to choose friendships that support, protect, and respect who you are. 1. Friends as a Place of Belonging Friends are often the first place where a teenager feels they belong outside the family. With them comes a sense of belonging: feeling accepted, valued, and part of something. This feeling is importa...
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Family Relationships – Where I Begin to Feel I Belong

There are times when a teenager can feel out of place even within their own home. There may be arguments, uncomfortable silences, rules that seem unfair, or adults who “just don’t understand.” When this happens, it is easy to think that you don’t belong anywhere or that you have to figure everything out on your own. But… what does belonging really mean? Does it mean always agreeing? Feeling understood all the time? Or is it knowing that, even with mistakes and conflicts, there is a place where I matter? Understanding the role of family in this process is key to emotional well-being. This post invites you to reflect on family relationships as the first space where we learn who we are, how much we are worth, and how we relate to others. 1. Family as the First Place of Belonging Family is usually the first group we belong to. It is where we learn to speak, to trust, to express emotions, and to relate to others. Not all families are the same, and not all work in the same way, but all of th...
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Suicide Prevention: My Life Matters

There are moments when emotional pain becomes so strong that it seems to take over everything. The mind fills with thoughts like “I’m worthless,” “I’m a burden,” or “no one needs me,” and little by little it becomes harder to see any alternatives. When this pain is not spoken out loud, it can grow in silence and make life feel unbearably heavy. But… what happens when what hurts is not named? What if the real problem is not life itself, but pain that is not being supported? What changes when someone is able to say “this is too much for me” and finds another person willing to listen? These questions are essential to understanding suicide prevention in a human and realistic way. This post wants to remind you of something essential: your life matters , even when right now you don’t feel it. Putting words to your pain, asking for help, and allowing yourself to be supported can make the difference between facing pain alone and beginning to protect your life. 1. When emotional pain clouds ...
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Adolescent Depression – What I Feel Has a Name

There are adolescents who say “I don’t know what’s wrong with me,” “nothing motivates me anymore,” or “I feel empty,” and they often receive responses that minimize their experience: “it’s just your age,” “it will pass,” or “you’re exaggerating.” These phrases, although sometimes well intentioned, can increase confusion and emotional isolation. But… what happens when what is felt is not just tiredness or passing sadness? What if giving a name to the pain brings relief instead of fear? And what if understanding what is happening is the first step toward feeling supported rather than judged? Recognizing that what I feel has a name can make a powerful difference. This post aims to help understand what adolescent depression is, how it presents itself, and why identifying it is not a harmful label, but a doorway to care and hope. 1. When Sadness Is No Longer Just Sadness Sadness is part of life. It appears in response to loss, frustration, or change. In depression, however, sadness beco...
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