always stressed, always worried

[FriendZoneMayor]

I'm under so much stress and pressure right now it's not even funny. I'm worrying so much about everything that I forget to eat and I can't sleep at night and once I finally fall asleep I have nightmares and wake up even more tired. I've got Marching Band where I'm Drum Major, my senior year, church stuff, I'm watching my best friend throw away her future, I've gotta apply to colleges and convince my dad to let me apply to the one I wanna go to more than anywhere else, and I'm trying to make my parents happy, which is a much more difficult job than it seems. And on top of that, I'm really worried that my dog is gonna die, because he's 15 and he gets slower and deafer and older every day and he has this big non-cancerous tumor on his leg that keeps growing and makes walking really hard. I just don't know what to do with myself right now.
Help???

[Kyeto-X]

First of all, BREATH!!!

You are in a very chaotic time in your life right now, with your dog and your friend and your parents it seems like you are spinning out of control! I know it tough watching your friend and your dog seemingly loose their lives in their respective ways, but you have to realize that all you can do at this point is comfort and support them. It is not your responsibility if your friend messes up in life. It is not your fault if your dog gets sick. Things just happen.

As for your parents, this is truly the time in life when you can start making your OWN decisions. While your parents may grip and moan about it, it is really your choice what college you go to. If you can, lay down some valid points as to why you want to go to School A as opposed to College B. Talk to them firmly about it, but also listen to them if they raise objections.

Don't try to "make your parents happy" However hypocritical that sounds. you sound like a good kid. So, be that way. Yes, follow the rules, and obey the law and honor your parents, but don't try straining yourself to earn their favor. You are their kid for christ sake! they love you anyways.

Is there anyways you can scale back on an activity or two? if you can i would if just for a month or two. If not that just focus on the task at hand, right in front of you and let the rest go for a while. Keep a day planner, so that you can truly let the rest of the stuff just LEEAVE your mind and focus at what you have. Then after you are done, go back to your list of things.

Also, make sure you are getting enough sleep, good food, yadda yadda yadda.

All the best, William