I bet a lot of teenage depression comes from people no longer thinking you're cute and smiling when they see you.

reedthompson @reddthat.com to Showerthoughts@lemmy.world – 4 points –

It's such a subtle shift they probably don't even realize it happened. But suddenly people stop reacting with joy and love when they see you and it takes a while to adjust to that

3

My nephew was straight up adorable from the moment he was born. People doted on him left and right. He was a personable, polite little boy (beyond his years so it stood out) and wait staff etc would take time to say hello, compliment his parents and maybe give him a treat.

Then he got that little bit older and his baby brother was born. The attention shifted away from him. You could see him try to interact with people in the same way, and when he didn't get the same reaction a little light left his eyes. Don't get me wrong, he's a great little teenager now and it hasn't affected him. But there was a short period of time where he was a sweet little innocent and the world rewarded him for it. The rewards go away, and sometimes without them I think the child stops exhibiting the behaviour.

Interesting thought op.

Edit for typos

This would be why I’ve made it a habit to always be excited when greet my kids, even though they are teens now. I sometimes get greeted with the same enthusiasm. Feels good and it’s always good to see them.

Speak for yourself. The older and fatter I get the more kawaii I become.