The adolescent years can prompt discussions about extremes: Is the teenager safe? Are they taking things too far? Have they been taking risks, maybe running a bit wild? On the other end, are they withdrawn, lacking motivation, purpose and drive?
In some cases things are stuck in the middle. Winnicott’s famous depiction of the listless ‘adolescent doldrums’ comes to mind (“the temporary state of affairs to which there is no solution until something happens”), and the link to teenage boredom (are adolescents too bored? Or not bored enough?) … It got me thinking about what determines motivation and drive during the adolescent years. What is needed to have a sense of purpose?