Too many thoughts clouding my mind and I can't think straight

Hey, dreamwolf here. So, i've started school three days ago and have had a bunch of thoughts go through my head that keep annoying me. One thought: everytime I do something I replay the scene in my head and daydream about how it could've been different. I haven't really noticed it until today.. I kept telling myself to stop thinking about it, but the scene slipped back into my head. -_- Second thought: I sit near these two kids in my art class and overhear their conversation everyday. It keeps making me feel lonely, like I want more friends to talk to.( I don't have many friends and I don't see them often). Third thought: I refrain from certain kinds of thoughts and daydreams because I feel like someone can "hear" them. I know it's strange, and that no one CAN hear them, but I keep myself from thinking them anyway. Fourth thought: Art. I draw often (I draw manga) and, in my art class, there are other kids that draw it as well. They're really talented and I kind of feel bummed that they draw way better than me. There are a lot of things I still can't draw well when it comes to manga, and just looking at their drawings, I feel as if I weren't good enough...-_-...three days in school and all these thoughts run through my head...Well, I just wanted to get all that off my chest...

Hi Dreamwolf,
I see your a new member here at PC, welcome to PC.
Well, let me see, I have to think way back about when I was your age. I could say that I was apprehensive about myself and my abilities back then. I did look at other students and compared myself to them and wondered if I was worthy of their friendships and yes I did listen to conversations and ponder. There were other students that presented better work than me artistically but I did like art and drawing and I did have my own style.

Do you know the famous Artist Monet? Well if you get a chance, see if you can find examples of his work. He is one my daughters favorite artists and she had some very big posters of his work on her walls. One night I was sitting on her bed chatting with her and I looked at the posters she had and I asked her why she liked his work and she said that she loved how his work was hazy and colorful and soft.

So after looking at the posters of a couple of his paintings I thought about the time period that he lived and I also knew that there were other artists during that time and they all knew each other and their work was all different in style and presentation. Then, thinking about that time and looking at Monet's work and seeing it was kind of blurry (back then they called it impressionistic art) I presented my daughter with a question. I asked her if maybe this artist really saw the world that way. Now back then they didn't have glasses to correct vision problems like they have today and it is very possible that that artist actually did see the world in blurry vision, something that I am sure not many, if any, have thought of.

My daughter then looked at the posters of his paintings and looked at me with big eyes and said, "Gee, you may have something there, I never thought of that".

When we do art, it is an individual rendition of whatever we are creating. And just because you may think that your work is not as good as others, doesn't mean it doesn't have an artistic value to it.

You are still very young and just getting aquainted with different aspects of art, do not judge yourself just yet. If you like art, go to different art museums and even get different books that show different artists and look at the differnt ways they express art. It is not always the perfection that is the real art, it can be a unique impression of art that is presented that can be considered very valuable.

And the same goes for you and how you feel about yourself and even having a thought and then rethinking those thoughts. Because that too is very common for a young an growing brain and can even be a sign of intelligence as your brain likes to look at things from different perspectives rather than just a 1,2,3 simple basis. You are contemplating and that is ok. Most of the things that we have, everything, including clothing, novels, art, technology, are all products of people who contemplate and use their brains to look at different scenarios. So you don't have to fight that desire, it is your brain thinking and thinking about different possibilities. And it is a sign of intelligence and that you are developing your sense of perceptions and perspectives of your environment in new ways, you brain grows a lot and will for another 10 years. And then it rests for a bit and then grows in smaller spirts when you get older.

Oh, and that feeling of not being able to think straight, well, your brain is really being stimulated and that is why many teens your age and even older get very tired and even sometimes think it is depression. You have to make sure that you get plenty of rest and try to take out time to meditate and just clear your mind and concentrate on your beathing and relax. That will really help a lot during these up coming years of a lot of brain stimulation in learning and contemplating your environment and those around you that are in that environment.

Open Eyes

i like art and artists are great. i try to be careful with thoughts because mine can become way crazy. you are unique so why compare yourself to others /

Hi. I used to ruminate over scenes like you describe. As I became more confident of my behavior, this sort of faded away, but I still ruminate sometimes. When I catch myself thinking like that, I tell myself "You don't have to think about that again" and I deliberately think about something else.

Coming from someone who went from drawing stick figure-like things, to richly detailed items expressing depth and realism, anyone has the potential to draw better and easily. Maybe even exceed their peers (I have helped many too, but in person, so this may be tricky). In this regard, my suggestion to you would be to let go and practice. Each artist is defined by their own unique styles, you will be able to emulate what you have seen others do via your own practice and trials. Pick the best of your trials and work with it. You are as much a creator as you are a builder. Realize that in yourself.

As in acquiring new friends depends on many different situations. Depending on your school level, your peers are all different. The only way to find out if any of them are worth knowing you (and yes that's an important aspect) is to test them with conversation. You have something in common, maybe you can build from that.

I do hope some of this has been useful advice. If not remember that it's only advice. Take what you can from the advice and build upon it until it suits your needs.

I wish you well.

are you working on art as a major? I'm a music student, it can be so hard, SO SO HARD to do artwork as a student or as a living. So important to keep small goals and keep perspective.

What drew you to art in the first place? Do you get a sense of fulfillment from it, do you feel like you're really good at it?

What do you feel the other students have that you don't? Maybe you have some skills they wish they had, too. Sometimes its tough entering a new school with people who are finally all the same area/class... try no to be too difficult.

of course this is all assuming you're doing art. ho hum.

anywho! nice to meet you and luv your username <3

I can really relate to "I can't think straight". I have been thinking of doing a piece of art entitled "I can't think straight" to express myself. I don't go to therapy but I do love to create so I thought this might be good for me. I thought you might benefit from it too. Try to imagine what your mind look like when you can't think straight! Good luck!