"Knowing I have to wake up from my sleep to face reality is a nightmare itself," I texted my friend one morning.
Reality can feel like a nightmare depending on your circumstances. So many things can happen in life that make you wish you could stay in your happy dreams or even live the seemingly perfect lives you see on social media. The list is endless, but here are a few examples:
Physical abuse
Bullying at school
How you see yourself
What you think others see in you
Mental abuse
Nightmares are scary and painful to remember. According to Google, a nightmare is defined as “a terrifying or very unpleasant experience or prospect.” Life itself can feel like a nightmare at times—an unpleasant experience we all must go through.
But instead of trying to escape the problem, which sometimes leads to fatal consequences, you should focus on fixing the problem. Learn not only to cope with life but also to find ways to enjoy it and make it a better experience. This advice doesn’t come from someone inexperienced; I’ve faced struggles that made life feel like a nightmare. But I’m learning to fix my problems instead of running from them.
Better times are ahead, but it's up to you to change your mindset and move toward them. Nobody can change your mentality except you. Start with positive thoughts—they’re the first step to better mental health. Ask God for help because He will. Don’t abuse yourself mentally, physically, or emotionally; it only makes things worse. And keep praying.
One thing I’ve noticed in my own life is this: when you give in to struggles, you become weaker in facing future challenges. But when you decide to fight whatever is causing your nightmare, you grow stronger to handle other struggles that come your way.
I’ve even developed a way to control my dreams. When I’m having a bad dream, I become half-awake and change the plot, turning the bad dream into a good one. Before writing this, I thought to myself: If I can change my bad dreams into good ones, then I can change the plot of the nightmare I’m living in! You can do the same.
Remember, with God, all things are possible. Your future is waiting for you to write it.
Mackenzie Jada, 14