Runaway Teenager Advice From an Adult Who was a Runaway Teen

@ Robyn: Thanks for reading, and thanks for commenting. I remember very well feeling the way you are now. Take a look at www.cooljobs.com. You may be just a bit young yet, at 14, to do some of them, but there are some amazing programs out there. www.outwardbound.org as well. Keep your head screwed on tight, and your eyes and ears open at all times.

Also, most people think that runaways expect it to be a good life, with no parents or their rules. No. I know full well that it's gonna be dangerous. That there are tons of things that can go wrong. That I may end up fearing for my life. But that's the point. I'll have to grow up, and fast. I'll learn how handle those problems, and i'll gain confidence in myself with each passing day. It will be a scary experience. But a good one.

Man. You are cool. I'm a 14 year-old teenage girl thinking of running away, and I've been looking for advice on the internet. But most people make the assumption kids run away because of abusive families, or the thought of living without rules. Not me. I'm looking for adventure. I'm sick and tired of my boring everyday life. It's not a bad life. I get what I need, and I have family and friends who love me. I'm afraid of hurting them... But i can't stand the thought of continuing to live the same way. I'm not gonna stay young forever. I need excitement. Danger. Experience. I'm not going to get it like this. I'm afraid of dying unsatisfied with life... You, though, understand that some people are running away to look for adventure, not running away from their problems. Thank you. I needed to know someone out there supported the idea.

@Aukxsona: Thank you for your comment, and thank you for sharing your experience. I'm glad you were able to get the help you needed, and also glad that you took an active role in your own life.

I was a run away. I talked to my principal. I was homeless but I still went to school. The school fed me and clothed me and from, 6 pm until 7 am I had to find a spot to squat. I usually did. I had tons of friends with couches. I also nannied for people that worked long hours. This would earn me a couch placement too. You don't have to be on the street if you are kind and sweet. I didn't get paid to nanny unless you consider smokes and a spot to squat payment, but I was happy. I left home due to an abusive family. I never wanted any one to "counsel" us but that did happen. It will too no matter what. Plus once social services gets involved you will have to go to counselling. I have now made it against my religion to deal with such people...so no more problems.