The complete list of all life-guiding messages for young people – click the titles for further information
Make a decision. Find ways to enjoy your solitude, or decide to reconnect with the world around you. Either way, you’ll start feeling better. Channel your energy into new hobbies and taking yourself out on the town solo, or join a social group in your area that interests you or reconnect with old friends.
Contact your old friends or visit relatives in your home town to spend quality time with others. Being in the company of people you grew up with has a satisfying and positive effect when it comes to coping with loneliness.
Try to figure out when you started feeling this way. When was the last time you felt connected to the world around you and to the people in your life? What’s changed? Start keeping a journal to help you connect to how you feel. Getting to know yourself again is a great place to start.
You don’t have to be a secret millionaire or celebrity to do voluntary work – get involved, get experience, explore your interests and your life.
All the messages we’ve sent so far (484 of them!) are categorised and available on our website. If you have some time for reflection over the Christmas period, have a look through: which ones have impacted you? We’d love to hear back from you if any have changed the way you look at things, or have helped your family and friends!
Have you ever found yourself standing in front of the mirror and yelling at yourself or hating yourself? Do you understand what it feels like to be completely disgusted with yourself and longing for a change? We often spend time upset about something, allowing our environment and circumstances to dictate whether or not we are going to be happy. The truth is that we can live our lives with happiness and decide that we are going to do whatever it takes to be happy. You can be happy if you have the mind to.
75,000 children will wake up homeless on Christmas Day in the UK. You can help homeless charity Shelter by donating your money or your time.
All girls born between 1st September 1990 and 31st August 1997 can have the vaccination that protects against cervical cancer. Girls born after this get the vaccination in Year 8 at school.
1434 young people died by suicide in 2010. If you are thinking about suicide, call HOPELineUK for advice getting help on 0800 068 4141.
Why not do some volunteering at Christmas? Many places appreciate extra help at this time of year, you’ll meet new people and it may even lead to permanent work.