Do you have any advice for someone who is 16?
Watch Star Trek.
I’m sorry anon. I realized belatedly that I basically just told you “turn to Jesus!” and walked away without explanation. I’m absolutely not kidding, though: Star Trek. Especially in times of difficulty and change: watch Star Trek.
I was sixteen in the 90s, which was a much more hopeful time than now in most ways, but was also a far more isolating time for anyone atypical. I had no idea where to go to get information about what was wrong with me, or reassurance that I wasn’t alone. Without the internet, alone is pretty damn lonely.
So I found myself turning to Star Trek captains to hear the messages I knew I needed to hear from an authority figure, but couldn’t find around me. Anon, I don’t know your situation or whether you’re among my Trek followers, so let me offer you a variety of options: