I am 18 and have no friends and no life?

[Rachel]

So sorry you are going through this. Feeling alone is never fun!
I was bullied all throughout my middle school and high school years. When I got to high school, I got injured really badly and had to have 3 surgeries, which made me miss the last 3 years of high school. During that time, every friend I had abandoned me, and the bullies continued to send me mean and hateful messages and texts. I always felt so alone and so un-cared about.

I am telling you this because I am now 20 years old, and I am the strongest, most confident girl that I never imagined I would ever be. All the bullying, the being alone, made me who I am today, and I am proud of that. It was horrible at the time, but things do get better. This is just a difficult time in your life.

Push through it, embrace it, use it for something good. I used my pain for my art and photography.

Someday you will find true friends and you will have a different life. This is a time to learn from your struggles and build your strength up! I don't know if you're religious or not, but I will say that for me, praying when I felt alone and hopeless always made me feel better.

I hope that things will get better for you, Jack. Do not let people get you down. They are not worth your time or energy. Keep your head up! Find something that makes you happy and is an escape from the bullshit. You will be okay. You just have to push through and be strong. Someday... You will be rewarded and thankful for what you have went through.

Best wishes,
Rachel