I think a lot of people have lost hope recently. The constant bad news can stomp out any flicker of hope that you might have had remaining after two years of a global pandemic, floods, bushfires, angry protests, tragic accidents, etc. But if you can flame that ember back into life, it will help carry you through these tough times. Even though there is so much bad stuff in the world, there is still good. There are people who are kind, generous, heroic and courageous. We still live on a beautiful planet.
The sun still rises each day. There are still simple pleasures like ice cream on a hot day, laughing with friends, listening to your favourite band, and other good things you can enjoy.

Five ways to ignite hope:

1. Start with gratitude - make a list of all the good things in your life.
2. ​Replace your negative thoughts. The next time your thoughts are get stuck on a negative loop, change the message. For example, change 'this pandemic will never end' to 'other pandemics have ended, so this one will too.' You can't change what happens to you, but you can change how you react to it.
3. Spend time with friends - face to face connection is so important for your mental health.
4. You are stronger and more resilient than you think. Find some positive self-affirmations to remind yourself of this.
5. Get out in nature - I find that a walk through the bush or on the beach is good for the soul. Even laying in your backyard and watching the clouds or the stars can lighten your soul. 

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To all the students sitting exams
To all the broken-hearted
To those facing mental health challenges
To the lonely and rejected
To the anxious and afraid
To those who are having family issues
To the sick and those who are just sick of life
To those who are facing their biggest challenges so far
To the tired and worn out
To those trying to keep their head above water
To the ones who cry themselves to sleep at night
To the ones desperately trying to maintain their perfect veneer
While underneath they are falling to pieces
To the ones who are self-medicating, self-loathing and self-harming
Hang in there - don't give up
The world needs you!
You're stronger than you think - you got this!

I love this video. Portrait of Lotte was filmed by Dutch artist and filmmaker, Frans Hofmeester who filmed his daughter every week for 20 years. It's a beautiful reminder that even though you are just a teenager, you have come so far and accomplished so much. Even if your parents are not filmmakers, you could make a photographic journey of your life so far. You could even write a list of things that you have learnt or achieved since birth. You've learnt to walk, talk, read, write, ride a bike, do math, perhaps you can surf, ride a skateboard, code, paint, pole vault or play a musical instrument - you are awesome!

This is beautiful.