I'm Scared For The Future
The story
Hey all
I'm 16 and there's a girl I really care about. We've become quite close, we both like each other and there's a very strong chance that we'll start dating sometime in the next year. I genuinely think she could be someone I want to be with for a long time.
I recently found out that she's actually 15, not 16 like I had assumed. She's only a little over a year younger than me, so the age difference itself isn't really what bothers me. What it's made me think about is the future.
When I finish school, I want to move interstate to study musical theatre. Depending on where I end up, I could be hundreds of kilometres away from her while she's still finishing school. If we're still together at that point, we'd potentially have to do long distance for quite a while.
I know plenty of long-distance relationships don't work, and I'm scared that we could spend years getting closer, building a relationship and making memories together, only for distance and different stages of life to eventually pull us apart.
I know that's not necessarily going to happen, but I can't stop thinking about it. Part of me wonders whether it's worth allowing myself to get really attached when there's a possibility that I'll eventually have to lose her anyway.
At the same time, I don't want to avoid something potentially wonderful just because I'm afraid of how it might end.
But if I could just know. If somebody could promise me that everything will be okay, then I could relax. But nobody can. I'm stuck grieving a future that only exists in my head for now.
I think that's why I love theatre and performing so much. Because I know how the story will end. But I can't open the script to 10 years later and see where we're at, where I'm at.
I know nobody can predict the future, but I'd really appreciate hearing from people who've been in similar situations. How do you deal with knowing that someone you care about might eventually have to go in a different direction from you?
Stories in the same category
Points of view
Totally relatable, especially when you're planning out your future and there's so much uncertainty. I remember being in a similar spot at your age; there was this girl I really liked, but the thought of college coming up made everything feel temporary. What I've learned since then is that relationships, like life itself, are full of unknowns and unpredictability. Have you had a chat with her about where you both see yourselves in a couple of years? It might be helpful to know if she’s on the same page or if she's got a different outlook.
sounds like you're overthinking it a bit, man. you're 16, she's 15, that's not some massive age gap or anything freaky. the future is gonna be full of "what ifs" and it's impossible to avoid them; i remember when I was your age thinking about all those possibilities just made my head spin! maybe try focusing on what's happening right now instead of getting bogged down in what might happen years from now??? relationships evolve naturally... let whatever happens unfold, don't stress too much over something you can't control. who knows, things might work themselves out way better than you expect!
Hey mate, it's pretty tough! been there, worried about stuff like that too... No one can guarantee the future, and it feels frustrating. But honestly, life's kinda unpredictable. My cousin had a long-distance relationship during college, and yeah, it was rocky sometimes!! But they made it work by trusting each other and communicating often. Keep focusing on what makes you both happy now without overthinking so much; it'll probably be worth it :)
man, i remember being 17 and in a similar spot; had this strong connection with a girl but then college plans came up, different cities and all that.
yo, man, it's totally normal to worry about the future like this. long-distance can be tough but it doesn't always mean a dead end for relationships; hey, you never know where life might lead both of you and sometimes things just work out. focus on what feels right now and let tomorrow worry about itself. sometimes taking a chance is worth it. good luck!
wow thats tuff. do you think having someone closer, geographically, might help if things were to go long distance? just curious.
True my friend did long distance and said similar stuff!
dude, i totally get where you're coming from. it's like you're stuck between a rock and a hard place, right? at that age, everything feels so intense and urgent! 🤯 my best friend once had this thing going on with someone who was gonna move away too. they decided to just enjoy the time they had together without putting so much pressure on what might come later. it's kinda like watching your favorite show – you know there's an end eventually, but each episode's still worth it. maybe try focusing on making the most of what you have with her now instead of worrying too far ahead??? sometimes just being present is its own kind of promise.
Hey dude, I feel ya but honestly stressing about 10 years down the line is kinda useless at your age.
It's understandable to be worried about the future, especially when you care so deeply about someone. Your passion for musical theatre and your future plans are already setting a path that will bring changes and challenges; think of it as just another act in your life's play. Staying present and making the most of your time together now could provide memories and strength to face whatever comes. You might find that overcoming these uncertainties together can actually strengthen your bond rather than automatically lead to separation. Just remember, every relationship carries a degree of uncertainty...it's part of what makes them meaningful! 😊
reading your story, I can't help but think about my high school experience when my best friend was dating someone he thought he'd never live without. they worried a lot about the future too, especially with college on the horizon and dreams of different places. yet, amidst all the uncertainty and anxiety about what comes next, their relationship actually helped them grow individually; they ended up splitting amicably to pursue their separate dreams (and they're still friends today). have you considered talking to her about how you both view long-distance relationships? understanding each other's perspective could be enlightening and even strengthen your connection ⚡ focusing on communication now might help with some of that uneasiness you're feeling; relationships take time to build and evolve in unexpected ways as we mature!
Honestly, worrying too much about the future can be a waste of energy. You're young, and life is unpredictable. Don't put limits on something that could grow into something worthwhile. If you focus too much on potential negatives, you might miss out on good experiences now.
It's totally normal to feel anxious about the future and all its uncertainties, especially when you're at such a crossroads; but remember, relationships require both people to grow, adapt, and sometimes compromise. You might consider thinking of it like this: whether it's long distance or any other challenge that arises later on, successful partnerships often rely on creating shared goals and supporting each other's dreams while maintaining your individual paths. Sometimes those differences can actually strengthen the bond you share! Worrying ahead of time isn't productive: it can actually drain the joy from what you have now. My older brother once told me he found comfort in treating his relationship like an adventure: focusing less on potential obstacles and more on enjoying the journey together 🌟
its jus high school dude like why stress so hard bout it u still have time to fig it out nuthins set in stone anyway chill
man, it's tricky thinking about how life's gonna play out when you're only just starting to figure things out yourself; maybe instead of stressing over the unknowns and what-ifs, you could look at it like an adventure where both of you are writing your own scripts as you go.
i get it, it's scary to not know whats gonna happen but thats also kind of what makes life exciting right? like yeah theres risks but there might be rewards too so don't close yourself off completely.