I'm so tired

Ask a Therapist Seeking Help
1

It’s only the first month of the year and I’m already feeling so anxious and burnt out. I’m 15 and this year I have a lot of things I want to accomplish, I need to study and train and I also want to find a job. I have NSG( National School Games) coming soon in march and I don’t think I’m ready for it no matter how I look at it, it feels like I’m doing much worse than other ppl. I think that I have a high expectation of myself. Next year, I will be taking my O levels it is super important as my grades will determine if I can go to poly. Everyday after school I have been going to study, but just yesterday I went straight back home and laid in bed and used my phone the whole day… I even skipped my tuition I was so mad and angry at myself and why I couldn’t do better. There so much I need to do and so little time I have. I feel this thight feeling in my chest and my head hurts, sometimes its even hard to breathe. I have to do well in my studies and competition. I really feel so burnt out and anxious, I’m also so goddamm angry all the time for no reason… I’m so tired

2

Hi @sleepycatt

Thank you for writing in, I can sense the overwhelm and frustration you’re feeling. Please don’t be discouraged. It’s completely normal to feel this way, especially with the pressure of upcoming exams and competitions.

Acknowledging Your Feelings

  1. Burnout: You’re experiencing physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion.
  2. Anxiety: Your worries about performance, grades, and expectations are causing distress.
  3. Anger: Frustration with yourself and the situation is leading to irritability.

High Expectations and Self-Pressure

  1. Recognize your worth: Your value goes beyond grades, competitions, or achievements.
  2. Set realistic goals: Break down large goals into smaller, manageable tasks to reduce overwhelm.
  3. Practice self-compassion: Treat yourself with kindness, understanding, and patience.

Time Management and Prioritisation

  1. Create a schedule: Balance study time, training, and relaxation to avoid burnout.
  2. Prioritise tasks: Focus on the most important tasks, and delegate or defer less critical ones.
  3. Take breaks: Regularly take short breaks to recharge and reduce stress.

Seeking Support

  1. Talk to someone: Share your feelings with a trusted friend, family member, or mental health professional such as a school counsellor.
  2. Join a study group: Collaborate with classmates to stay motivated and learn from one another.
  3. Seek help from teachers or coaches: Ask for guidance on managing your workload and improving performance.

Please know that :

  1. You’re not alone: Many students face similar pressures and struggles.
  2. It’s okay to not be perfect: You can make mistakes and still achieve your goals.
  3. Take care of yourself: Prioritise your physical, emotional, and mental well-being.

Keep in mind that it’s okay to take things one step at a time. Focus on making progress, not perfection.

Here are some mental health resources in the community which you may wish to consider.

IMH CHAT: https://www.imh.com.sg/CHAT/Get-Help/Pages/default.aspx

Youth Integrated Team: SupportGoWhere

CREST - Youth: SupportGoWhere

mindline.sg Service Wayfinder: mindline.sg | Free Mental Health Resources & Mindfulness Tools in Singapore

Take it one step at a time. :heart:

1 Like
3

wow you’re doing a lot! preparing for the national school games and working on top of preparing for your o levels can’t be easy… its completely understandable that you would be tired and angry with this workload… it all seems quite stressful! i hope you can find a little time to set aside to take a step back and relax for a while… i know it can be hard to rest with all this going on, but you deserve to feel well rested and have energy every day :frowning: if it helps, resting could make you more productive later!

all the best for all that you’re doing, you’re really hardworking!

1 Like