I got a 3 on the test, and I know that on paper it’s good. It’s an A. It’s something I should be proud of. But I don’t feel proud at all. I feel ashamed, like it wasn’t enough, like I should have done better, and I can’t stop thinking about what I missed instead of what I earned. What makes it even harder is that my friend got a lower score. I feel awful for even being upset about mine when they’re dealing with something harder. It makes me feel selfish, like I’m not allowed to be disappointed or sad because I technically did well. I don’t want to sound ungrateful or hurtful. But the truth is, I can’t stop crying about it. The pressure I put on myself feels overwhelming, and my emotions don’t match what everyone expects me to feel. I wish I could just accept that a 3 is good, that an A is enough, but right now it doesn’t feel that way.
