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Blokes are inclined to have this cow-boys-don’t-cry attitude toward everything from open-heart surgery to losing Beyonce Knowles’ phone number. Guys in their teens are prone to depression, feelings of alienation and sometimes thoughts of suicide. If you don’t feel you can talk to a family member, use a crisis line like Lifeline.
Here’s a fact: as much importance as you place on it now, the music you like, the clothes you wear, even some of the friends you have now will not matter a decade from now.
Your priorities will change, as sure as the sun will rise tomorrow. So while it’s good to place importance on your studies, even the girl you believe is the love of your life might be forgotten – or at least dimmed in memory – one day. In other words, tell yourself that this too shall pass.
Your teens are a rough time emotionally. Hormones are surging through your body and your state of mind could go from severely depressed to elated in a matter of seconds. Take solace in the fact that everyone feels that way, not just you.
Many teenagers find they drift away from their parents and spend time with friends instead. You might shock your dad by offering to take him for a beer and a game of pool once you’re old enough. It might be something he’ll never forget.
