Or books that are just interesting

Hey, Celine!

I can totally understand feeling like things are spinning out of control and I want to assure you that everyone feels that way sometimes. However, if you're feeling like things are spinning out of control so much that it's stressing you out and giving you anxiety, you need to talk to an adult - a parent/guardian, doctor, or school counselor is who I'd recommend. They can help you. It doesn't really sound like you have a problem to me, but if you feel like you do, that's where you should go.

If you love thinking about life and that sort of thing, you may discover an interest in philosophy (I love philosophy). Here's some books on philosophy for kids I found online you might want to try: 

- Philosophy for Teens: Core Concepts and Life's Biggest Questions Examined by Mark Linsenmayer (I think of these options this is the best, but the site said it's mostly for readers 12-16)

- Big Ideas For Curious Minds (this one got mixed reviews but mostly good ones. Site says it's for readers 9-10 and you might want an adult to read it with you if you're around that age)

- Philosophy for Kids: 40 Fun Questions That Help You Wonder About Everything! by David A. White

You should also try listening to podcasts. One podcast I reccomend is a podcast about ethics for kids. It's called Short and Curly. 

For some more book recommendations, I reccomend The Next Great Paulie Fink by Ali Benjamin a realistic fiction story that also explores philosophy. I think you will like it. It's hard to explain what it's about, but it's a pretty creative idea.

You also might want to try The Miscalculations of Lightening Girl, by Stacy McAnulty. A family member of mine who really only likes realistic fiction read it and enjoyed it. This one is about a girl who got struck by lightning and became a math genius. However, despite being smart, she struggles in other ways.

I also recommend All the Answers by Kate Messner. All the Answers is about a girl who accidentally stumbles upon a pencil that can answer pretty much whatever question she writes with it. It's a very good and creative story. 

One book I have yet to read is The Firefly Code by Megan Frazer Blakemore. It looks amazing but I haven't found the time to read it. It's about a town where everyone's lives are pretty much perfect until some secrets are discovered. If you read it, let me know what you think!

And definitely try reading some dystopias. They can get a little dark, so be warned, but I think they'd be right up your alley. One classic dystopia is The Giver by Lois Lowry. This book was pretty good but not my favorite, still, I think you should give it a shot, and if you like it there's a few books that continue the series. Another very popular dystopia is The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, which I also haven't gotten around to but really want to. 

I'm not really sure what to recommend for music. Could you tell me a few specific songs or artists you like so I have something to go on?

I hope you enjoy these recommendations <3 

I'm so sorry you've been feeling anxious and stressed. I can't really say what you should do about that (and I'm not sure if you were asking for advice or just ranting, so if it's the latter you can ignore this), but there are a few things you could consider:

- Yoga. While it might sound a little silly, yoga is supposed to improve mental health (it's actually great for you in a number of ways), especially when you include meditation and/or breathing exercises. If you do it every day, or every other day, or every week, or some specific time like that, the sense of routine might also help calm you down.

- Having a "relax hour." Or maybe a half hour, or maybe two hours. Or even just five minutes. Depending how much time you have, you can listen to your favorite song, go for a walk, watch a movie - whatever makes you happy when you need a little pick-me-up. Don't push yourself to have fun, of course, if you're not feeling it, but distracting yourself might help you.

- Getting outside more. Some research suggests that going outside and spending time in nature can improve your mental health. Maybe try taking a walk or riding your bike around your neighborhood a few times a week, or if you live in a city, heading to a park. Going outside might also help you appreciate the little things - flowers, birds, sunsets. 

- Drinking tea. I like drinking tea and I just did a search that says some types of tea soothe anxiety, including oolong tea and chamomile (chamomile might also make you sleepy, which is good if your anxiety is also causing sleep struggles. Check and make sure the tea is decaf!). I would recommend doing some research if you're interested so you can pick whatever tea you think will best work to help you relax a bit.

- Seeking professional help. I'm not suggesting this because I think you're sick or need to be fixed: Therapy Is For Everyone. While some therapists aren't awesome, I think it might be worth a shot. I love giving advice and support where I can, but there's only so much I confidently feel I can do for you. 

Friendships are hard, and I know what it's like to feel like nobody your age gets you. High schools are bigger than middle schools (as I'm sure you've assessed by now XD), though, and often have many more clubs and classes and people to meet. Here's some clubs and sports you might enjoy if they're available at your school:

- Art Club

- Choir or band (are you into making music? If not, you might want to give it a try if your school has a music program. I think you'd enjoy it and it probably won't be as much pressure as schoolwork)

- DnD/tabletop rpg games club (I'm not sure if you school will have this one, but if they do you could try it. I think you'd have fun playing that sort of game - making a character and roleplaying, telling a story, that sort of thing). 

- Field hockey (usually the team for field hockey is mostly or all girls, but I don't think you're required to be or identify as one in most cases. You might like this sport. It's a bit like soccer in some ways, except you have a stick and the ball is much smaller and made of… well idk what it's made of but you get the idea)

- Cross country (if you like running? If you don't, skip this one lol) 

Of course there will probably be many more options, and I don't know what they have at your high school. All I'm saying is, pick clubs and/or sports you're interested in, and you'll get to do something you like while meeting and working with people who also like those things. It's a win-win. Maybe you could try a mix of things you already know you like and things you are interested in learning about. Like, for example, I love writing and have a lot of experience in it, so maybe I'd join the school newspaper. But although I'm interested in cooking, I'm not very skilled at it, so maybe I'd join a cooking club if one was available where I could learn more. 

That's all I have in the way of advice, but compliments are easy. Pangolin, you're one of the first people I talked to on the CB, and you were so kind right of the bat. I had been feeling nervous about getting to know people in a new place that felt so big, but you made me feel so much better, and I'm so grateful to have you as my friend. You are creative and an amazing writer (I am so sorry about not keeping up with your ski lodge! I WILL get around to reading it eventually, and the parts I've read are fantastic). You are caring and passionate - I love that you named yourself after the pangolin and have been spreading awareness about the endangered species here on the CB. I didn't even know what a pangolin was before meeting you! I really admire your dedication and quiet but firm confidence in who you are. Thank you for always being there for me and for everyone else here. Thank you for being you.

I almost teared up typing that. I hope you know how much I genuinely appreciate you. Love you platonically, pangolin <3

Okay, song recommendations. I can do that.

- chloe moriondo. I haven't heard too much of her music but I think you'd like it. One of my favorites of her songs is Dizzy.

- Her Name by Pamelo

- Clairo. I think you'd like her in general but some songs to start with are Amoeba, Sofia, Alewife, Blouse, and Softly.

- Closer to Fine by the Indigo Girls. I would reccomend trying some songs by them if you haven't. They seem like your kind of band.

- I Guess That Was Goodbye by Lyn Lapid

- The Outsider by Lyn Lapid 

- In My Mind by Lyn Lapid

- You and Me On the Rock by Brandi Carlile. Definitely try Brandi Carlile if you don't know her, I think you'll really like her and if you do you can also listen to a band she's in called The Highwomen.

This is getting pretty long (sorry, Admin!!), so I'll only reccomend two shows really quickly: Carmen Sandiego, for one. It's aimed at kids and might seem a little immature at times but mostly I think anyone can enjoy it - geography facts, strong female characters, and casual representation make this show great. Also Gravity Falls, if you haven't watched that. It's awesome.

And that's it! I hope I was able to brighten your day a little <3

Yess, all of this!!