[SDsmiley]

Uh oh. I just got my pole on Saturday, and haven’t even been able to use it yet because I need a different extender for it to firmly fit my ceiling. Besides the fitness aspect, I also chose this activity to help me feel more confident & sexy. Stretch marks were not part of the plan. I’m a little scared now.

[SDsmiley]

I would also like to echo NightFall in that starting to gain some skills to help you become independent & starting to save some money is the best thing you can do right now. I would caution you to do whatever you can to maintain control over as much of your money as possible. Based on what you are saying, I could see them trying to “keep” your money for you. Then, not allowing you to use it to go out on your own.

I can understand how you feel to an extent. Although not as severe of a situation, I faced my own parental troubles. At age 12 I had to ask my dad to take custody from my mom due to horrible home conditions, then ended up leaving his house at age 16 because life there was so overbearing that I couldn’t really stand it anymore.

I ended up working 60 hours a week (waiting tables, bar tending, retail, day care, whatever I could find) & taking full time classes in college to make my way in the world. I guess I’m just trying to tell you that life is full of tough choices, but if you are strong and have a decent brain in your head, you can make it through almost anything.

Although times are tough, this will pass. Once you make it through the other side, you can take great pride in everything you have managed to accomplish. Keep your head up, and focus on all of the wonderful things in your future. Hopefully, one day your parents will accept how you choose to live your life & even grow to be proud of you. Mine did.

Never, ever let your depression get the best of you. I lost my oldest sister to suicide when I was 17, and words cannot describe how difficult that has been for our family to cope with. All of the unanswered questions and lost opportunities haunt me with every passing holiday, birthday, anniversary of her death. If you ever feel things are hopeless, please reach out to someone, even if you have to call a hotline. People love you more than you could ever know.

Stay strong. You have it in you.