How did I get here?

I juggle many roles. I just started to help manage the hairdressing salon where I work, on top of all my clients. I play on a girls’ soccer team, and help care for my younger brothers and sisters. My best friend just got married, and I helped a lot with the planning of the wedding.

I used to feel confident and excited about all the things that were going on in my life, but lately I have been feeling overwhelmed, like things are out of my control. I feel like I’m letting people down, and the lists of things I need to do just keep getting longer, no matter how fast I try to get things done. My parents don’t like my new boyfriend, and we’ve been having arguments about how much time I spend with him. Recently my grandmother was diagnosed with cancer, so I help out by taking her to the doctor and hospital for treatment.

I would really like to get my own apartment, but my parents disapprove of the idea. They say they need me at home, and that’s final.

Lately I've been having trouble getting to sleep at night, even though I am totally exhausted. I also get headaches way more than I used to. When I'm tired like that, I get irritated at my younger brothers and sisters and yell at them for doing things that wouldn't usually bug me. 

Today my parents wanted me to stay home and take care of my siblings, but I decided I really need some time to myself. My grandmother agreed to look after the kids while I go for a walk in the park.