A gentle and clear explanation for 13-year-olds about why we grow older, why it's normal to feel sad about it, and how to cope with these feelings.
Hi! It’s completely normal to wonder why you can’t stay 13 forever and to feel sad about growing up and eventually passing away. Let me explain this step by step.
Every living thing changes over time, including you! This process is called growing up or aging. When you were a baby, you grew into a toddler, then a child, and now you are a teenager. Your body and mind keep changing to help you learn, get stronger, and experience new things.
Staying 13 forever would mean your body and mind wouldn’t change, which isn’t possible because growth helps you become who you are meant to be.
Sometimes, thinking about growing older or the fact that life doesn’t last forever can make us feel sad or scared. These feelings show that you care about life and everything around you.
Feeling sad about change means you value the moment you’re in, and that’s something everyone experiences at some point.
As you grow, you gain new experiences, meet new people, and discover exciting things about yourself and the world. Even though some parts of growing up can feel hard or different, it also brings good things!
Passing away (or dying) is a natural part of life that happens to all living things. This might sound scary, but it’s important to remember that it is part of life’s cycle, just like how seasons change or how plants grow and rest.
Talking about these feelings with someone you trust, like a parent, teacher, or friend, can really help you feel better and understand your emotions.
Remember, it’s okay to feel sad sometimes, but there’s also a lot of joy and wonderful things ahead as you grow. You’re not alone in feeling this way, and it’s okay to ask for help whenever you need it.