I was with my boyfriend for about a year. He was like my best friend. Everything was perfect...well for me at least. Without any explanation he told me he wasn't ready for a relationship and he hoped we could still be friends. I felt betrayed and depressed. I just keep thinking there must have been something wrong with me. I couldn’t understand what went wrong. It hurt so much. 

After finishing Uni I remember going through a really tough time. I applied for so many jobs but didn’t even get an interview. It was depressing. All my friends were moving out into sharehouses. I was still living with my parents because I couldn't afford to move out. I kept taking whatever jobs I could get, even though they weren't in the field I had studied. I saw a careers counsellor. I did some volunteering in my field to build up my resume. I felt like a failure. 

I was obsessed with gaining muscle and keeping fat off. I went to extremes but it wasn't healthy. I ate only one type of food group. I got obsessed to the point where my family were worried. I bought into the magazines that say guys need to be lean and muscley but it's really unrealistic.

I moved to Australia to study here. I'd never lived away from home. I left all my friends and family behind. I was so sad but also really excited. At first I was really homesick and I cried myself to sleep most nights. Things here were different to what I had at home. I eventually adapted to being around new people and made some new friends through joining a University sports team. 

I met other students from overseas and we stuck by and helped each other.

Now I have life long friends and I know we'll always keep in touch even if I move away again.

Not only do I have normal stresses such as school work and relationships, I also have the substantial worry of not being the same as everyone else and the persisting worry of how I look. I put a lot of pressure on myself.

When I am feeling anxious overwhelmed and confused I contact Kids Helpline web counselling for some great advice.

I have never had the courage to call, butI know there is always someone there to listen. No problem is ever too small or too big. Thank you Kids Helpline.