"Spring" Into a New Frame of Mind as a Youth in Care

Have you ever found yourself getting wrapped up in the specific experiences you have gone through or are currently going through? When you are a youth in care, it can be easy to fall into a habit of having a negative outlook on life, especially if you feel as if you've run into a string of bad luck. However, with the winter days gone and the sun making its famous return for Springtime, it can be a great time to get into a more positive frame of mind. Reframing your outlook on your experiences in foster care can also change your mindset on life altogether. Life is a journey, and although making smart decisions early on is important, you don't have to let your first steps define your path. Keep reading to learn four important ways to reframe your perspective on being a youth in care!

Reframing your experiences puts you in control of your own story.

To reframe your experiences in foster care, you have to look back at your life through a different lens. Just like changing a camera lens to get different pictures, you can see your life differently. This thinking technique can help you feel confident in telling your story and your point of view. As a foster youth, it can feel as though others have your story written for you, but by rethinking your experiences with a pen in your hand, you're the only one who can authentically tell your story like it matters - because it does!

Reframing your experiences can influence your relationships with others.

As a teen in foster care, I was hesitant to create new bonds with others. Whether it was with an adult or someone my age, the idea of creating a new bond was scary, and keeping the bonds I already had seemed intimidating. Little did I know that by joining my high school band, I would find an outlet to reframe my experiences and make new bonds, something I was scared to do before. Music was something we all had in common in band, and having that common ground that I could relate to helped me realize that relationships aren't so scary after all.

Reframing your experience can help you heal.

On average, U.S. foster youth enter care between the ages of 7-8 years old. This is a time when the brain can be negatively affected by trauma, which can cause youth to have a hard time mentally, physically, and emotionally healing from their experiences. By reframing your trauma, you can help yourself feel as though you are NOT defined by it. To think of those troubling moments as part of the past, you can move forward in improving your well-being.

Reframing your experiences can help you better prepare for your future and next steps.

I am pretty sure I can speak for some foster youth who would say that they have experienced the feeling of losing hope and fear for the future. Being in foster care can sometimes feel like being at a disadvantage.  A disadvantage that could impact the ability to have a successful future. Instead of thinking that you can't have a positive future, listen to the stories of others who were in foster care and may share similar experiences with you. You aren't alone and can be successful because everyone has strengths. As a foster youth, you can better understand your strengths and skills by asking yourself, "What have I learned?" instead of, "Why has this happened to me?"

Reframing your experiences can help you create a better attitude and mindset overall. You can focus on practicing gratitude instead of feeling disappointed. Trust me, I've been there. My experiences put me down, and after I reframed my experience in foster care, I was able to help more people like us. So, look back on your experiences as a foster youth and remember that YOU can control your outlook on life!

About the Author:
Alex was in foster care for seven years and when she aged out felt confident about being on her own because her caseworker helped prepare her.