I know how you feel as well. I hope this doesn't come across patronizing. But, having some years on you (I'm 26), having been 18... a
lot comes with having agency as an adult. And I mean a
lot. One of the single best things that has ever uplifted me and improved my life was leaving the person and place where I had undergone a very abusive and traumatic existence and it made a drastic change. You might not believe it, since I'm, well, here on this site – that's its own issue – but being able to decide my own fate was a massive net positive. Is it easy? No. I have bills to pay, stresses to encounter, so on, but it really did show me that life does get better sometimes.
18 feels very old when you are down and out and worn but it is actually so very young. I don't diminish your experience or feelings. But there is a lot to come. Ya never know, what's next – I try to tell myself that on bad days. I got it from a book on "loss of a love" – in my case, loss of a love for my life – one page said, why not stick around? aren't you even just a
little curious about what's around the corner? – okay, maybe, ya got me... (grumble, grumble)
Also, your (possibly "our") generation(s) got screwed over by COVID. It stunted a lot in the way of social life. I do think time will help in meeting people and not feeling so alone. You are handling it currently – you are doing well. It must not be so easy and quite frankly I am impressed that you're balancing this all. It is a very burdensome weight, to feel what we feel all in this forum...
Do you have goals, hobbies, interests? Or even anything that you might look forward to?
I don't really collect per se, but I have a place of my own now, so I outfit it with this things where reasonable. I guess favorite, it's my Sony Dream Maschine ICF C10W (looks like
this). Big old block thing but the numbers are bluegreen so it's nicer than a blaring red.
I don't mind whatever happens. Mostly, I just want a chance to live that life again, even if just the memories fleetingly.
Lively, boah. It makes me happy. I guess, yes, it's true, I'm actually an optimistic person and decently... happy...? But I do go through extrem phases of depression and suicidality, I also suffer with CPTSD, anorexia, a few others, and generally since I'm 14 I just want to go
home. Like you. I don't want to
die die, on most days, but I am... so sad... and yet quite happy... it's hard to explain. I feel like you'll know the sentiment.