There is a silent pressure teens carry- one that is always not spoken out loud yet shows up in thoughts, decisions, and causes self-doubt. It is a societal belief that teens should already know who they are, what they want, and where they are headed.  For some, the pressure is constant. For others, it sneaks in at different points in time when they are thinking about college, comparing themselves to others, or when asked about their future plans. 

We tend to think of trauma healing as a clean, linear journey with a clear beginning, middle, and end. However, healing generally looks more like the ocean. There are days when the ocean is calm, and you can breathe freely, have clarity of thought, and feel grounded. Other days, waves unexpectedly come in. Some waves are small and manageable; others feel like a surge and take you back to a time in your life that you thought had just passed. The waves you are experiencing could be considered repeating symptoms of trauma. This may come in the form of intrusive thoughts, sudden emotional outbursts, or just feeling anxious with no idea of what is triggering the anxiety. It could also show up as difficulty sleeping, feeling irritable, or feeling detached. Additionally, it may be accompanied by a strong response to something that you thought would not be triggering.

As we settle into 2026, the world around us can feel overwhelming. Between constant news cycles, global uncertainties, and the ambient anxiety that seems to permeate our daily lives, it's easy to feel like everything is perpetually on fire. But here's something I've learned: when the world feels chaotic, having clear goals isn't just helpful, it's essential.