Dear GZ Advisor, 

I feel so alone. I feel like nobody in my family loves me except one or two people, i cry all the time because i feel so lonely. At school I look very Happy , but its just that I don't want none of my friends to know because its embarrasing. What should i do?

Dear Galilea,

First of all, I'm sorry; no one should ever have to feel like that. Because the reality of the situation is is that no one is alone.

Having a rough family life can definitely take a toll on your wellbeing, but I'm sure that your family does love you, even if they express it in a way that makes you unsure.

I think you'd be surprised to find out how many people feel the same way that you do.  A lot of people feel lonely or immensely sad and cover it up with a smile.  You don't always have to be happy.  I hope you know that's okay to not be okay, and to need help.  That being said you should see if there's someone you are especially close to out of your friends - someone who you really feel safe with and that you can trust.  Opening up and confiding in a friend about the loneliness you feel can be a start to make you feel better because you are sharing your pain and reaching out for a helping hand.  Sometimes feeling this kind of pain is something you want to keep private from most people, however there could be one person who understands and will listen - and that you won't be embarrassed to talk about it with.
 
Some people who are affected with physical conditions can have that affect emotions (such as depression) so checking in with a doctor might be a good idea; either to rule out that possibility or get help as needed.

If there isn't a friend at school who you would feel like you could talk to this about you might want to talk to your school guidance counselor or parents about going to therapy.  Going to therapy isn't anything to be embarrassed about, and it doesn't mean you have intense problems. Think of it as someone to talk to. someone who will listen to how you feel and understand and try to help.

I hope you start feeling better and this helps.  No one is alone.

Sincerely,

GZ Advisor

Dear GZ Advisor,
so. im pregnant. i just found out and i told my boyfriend, i am almost positive that i want an abortion but my boyfriend who loves me is republican and wants me to keep it. what do i do? i don't want to not consider his feelings but.. i don't want this baby

Dear Kristen,

This is quite a predicament.  Firstly remember this; you are in a relationship with someone, but what happened is happening to YOUR body.  Both are factors to keep into consideration.

Talking about it with your boyfriend is good, you should be able to openly discuss it with one another because this is a huge thing that is occurring, for the both of you.  I'd encourage you to listen to him, and allow him to explain his reasoning for wanting to keep this child. In return; calmly explain to him your reasons for not wanting to have the child.  Evaluate what would happen if you did, and the IMMENSE impact it'd have on your lives. Do not shut him out of this process.

That being said - I think that the decision is ultimately yours to make.  It is your body, your process, your sacrifices, and as a result - your life that will be affected.  If you feel strongly that you are not ready to have this baby, then you aren't ready.  And that's your decision despite your boyfriend's disagreement.  Do what you want to do.

Make sure you consider what would happen if you decide to have the child and the relationship between the two of you doesn't work out. What then?

Finally I would suggest talking to someone.  Go to Planned Parenthood (if your boyfriend is willing, he could accompany you) and talk to someone there.  There are a lot of resources and help you can seek.  If your boyfriend is insistent on not being supportive of what you decide then you need to find someone who is because no one should have to go through this feeling alone.  Seek out your parents (if you feel comfortable enough sharing this with them), talk with a Guidance Counselor, or an older sibling who you have a solid trusting relationship with.
 
This is a very big decision but there are other options to consider such as having the baby and putting it up for adoption.  Make sure you look at all the possibilities and don't decide until you're ready.

You'll be okay, I know it's a lot to consider.  Just make sure you do what is best for you.

Sincerely,

GZ Advisor

Dear GZ Advisor,

i keep having a dream where im falling i dont know what happen before that but when im falling i cant breath and im try to scream but i have no voice i can feel and hear the wind and just before i get a feeling that im going to hit the ground i i sit up strait and wake up at the same time do you know what this means? i would really welcome the help

Dear Athena,

I'm not an expert in dream analysis but I have a few thoughts as to what these dreams could represent.

Falling can be a symbol for a loss of emotional equilibrium or self-control. What this means in simpler terms is that it might represent your fear of "letting go" in real life.  If you're scared of falling in your dream, it might represent that you're scared of failure or letting others have the opportunity to catch you in your life. It could represent a lack of self-confidence or your inability to deal with a situation.

Paired with screaming but no one can hear you I'd say this represents that you are losing control in your life in one area, or you are insecure about a certain situation. It symbolizes that you feel powerless in the situation, or that no one is noticing that you need help.
Hope that helps somewhat, or triggers thought as to what the dream could be about. But again I'm not a dream expert and you might want to check in with the writer who would have more concrete knowledge - hopefully this gets you thinking though!

Sincerely,

GZ Advisor

Dear GZ Advisor - know this kind of sounds racist buuuut i cant hold it in when
my friends and i walk home a group of african american boys and girls
attack us and asks us things like, "r u to white to do (things i cant
even repeat)" i really need help and im not rying to sound bad but it
scares me a bit. My friend emma went home crying when they started to do things
like have gang signs on ther hands and chants i reeeeeally need help 

Clare
 
Dear Claire,
If there is ever an uncomfortable situation like that where you feel like you are in danger or
it is upsetting enough to reduce you to tears you should really approach an adult about it.  
If they are being mean to you, regardless of race, it isn’t right and something should be done.
Any type of gang like that should be reported, you should feel safe walking home without 
harassment. Talk to your parents and school guidance counselor and see what they can do to 
make sure you feel safe.
Sincerely, 
GZ Advisor

Dear GZ Advisor - I'm going to be in this play in a couple weeks and I have the biggest part of all the students. (Adults are doing it too.) I'm wondering if you have any tips for memorizing my lines.

Kara

Dear Kara,

First of all, congratulations on your large role! There are several memorizing tips that should help you in the show.  One basic thing is reviewing it nightly, constantly refreshing it and going over it on a regular basis will accustom your brain to knowing the material inside and out.  Reviewing with someone else is also a great tool… have a family member or friend read the other lines with you so you can practice not looking at the book, sort of like reviewing for a quiz in school. Something that I personally do when preparing for a performance is saying all of the lines I have in a scene in chronological order to myself over and over, so they’re engraved in my mind and I’m comfortable with them. The last tip I have is writing or typing them out from memory.  Writing something out is a great step to remembering it. Break a leg in your performances!

Sincerely,

GZ Advisor