When you’re having a bad day, even the mildest inconvenience could make you say, “I hate my life.” It’s often said as a joke out of normal anxiety or exasperation with everyday issues. But what if your teen is saying it often and with a serious tone?

It can be disheartening to hear your child say that they aren’t happy with their life. And while you can’t force them to be happy, there are ways that this negative thought can be addressed and adjusted.

Read on to learn about why your teen could be saying, “I hate my life,” as well as how they can adjust their pessimistic mindset.

3 reasons why teens may be saying they hate their life

It can be difficult to pinpoint the exact reason why your teen may be conveying a negative mindset with phrases like “I hate my life,” as they aren’t always willing to open up about their feelings. But by asking about their day and observing their behavior, you can gather some insight into what’s upsetting them.

Here are three reasons why your teen may be saying they hate their life:

• Low self-esteem — The teenage years are always riddled with insecurities. With hormonal changes and figuring out who they are, it can be hard for your teen to find their confidence. Their lack of self-esteem can result in them saying, “I hate my life.”
• Everyday stress — Teenagers deal with many stressors that shouldn’t be brushed off. From overwhelming schoolwork to drama with friends, they may feel like there isn’t anything positive going on in their life.
• Mental health conditions — Not every pessimistic thought in your kid’s life should be chalked up to teenage angst. If your child is showing signs of persistent sadness, trouble concentrating or social isolation, they may be struggling with mental health conditions like major depressive disorder or generalized anxiety disorder.

8 ways teens can adjust their mindset

While your teen may feel stuck in their negativity, they should know there are things they can do to find the joy in their life and alleviate some of their internal struggles that may be causing them to say “I hate my life.”

Here are eight ways that teens can adjust their mindset:

• Know their power — When nothing seems to be going right, it can feel like the world is out to get you. It’s important for your teen to know what control they have over their life, and harness that power. It also means not stressing about things they can’t control.
• Show forgiveness — We all make mistakes. These mistakes could hurt others, or just ourselves. It’s essential that your teen knows how important forgiveness toward others, and toward ourselves, truly is. It can help release the burden that’s weighing on their shoulders.
• Stop comparing themselves — We’ve all heard the saying “Comparison is the thief of joy.” Show your teenager how important it is to focus on their own strengths and achievements instead of feeling inferior to the traits and successes of others. Once they recognize their own positive attributes, their self-esteem won’t depend on their perception of others.
• Show gratitude — It can be easy to focus on the negative aspects of our lives because those are often what takes up the most space in our minds. But showing gratitude for the positive things in their life can adjust your teen’s perspective and help them appreciate what they have. 
• Explore their passions — The adolescent years are the best time for your teen to start figuring out what they truly love. This could mean a wide variety of things, from sports and hobbies to philanthropy and social issues. By exploring their passions, they can find ways to redirect their mindset to focus on something they enjoy.
• Lean on their support system — Everyone needs help every now and then, especially when you’re a teenager and trying to figure out the way of the world. A support system is essential for helping to deal with shortcomings as well as celebrating successes. While you would like for your teen to think of you as the ultimate support system, they can also find it in their friends or significant others.
• Practice self-care — It’s important that your teen takes care of themselves, both physically and mentally. Things like getting enough sleep, exercising and eating a variety of foods can go a long way for helping both their mental and physical health. Self-care also refers to giving the brain a rest with activities like listening to music or doing meditation.
• Talk to someone — When your teen keeps saying, “I hate my life,” their mental and emotional health may be declining more than they can handle on their own, or even with your help. It’s often beneficial for teens to talk to a mental health professional to explore their negative mindset and learn how to change it.

Lightfully Behavioral Health can help when your teen says, “I hate my life”

Mental health issues can manifest in your teen in a variety of ways. If you keep hearing them say “I hate my life,” it’s time to seek out help. We’re here to help them address the reasons behind the statement and learn how to adjust their mindset.

Change is possible. When you’re ready to take the first step to help your teen, reach out to our Admissions Concierge Team. We’ll take the next steps together, toward the fullest, brightest version of them.