If you could give advice to your younger self.....

purity

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...what would it be?

Imagine you had a time machine, and could go back and meet yourself at, say, 16. What would you say? Would you warn yourself not to do certain things, or do you think the things you've done wrong have been good learning experiences?

I would like to tell myself at 16 not to be so worried about what everyone else thinks, and not to worry so much about weight. I was a perfect weight at 16 yet was convinced I was fat - wish I'd made more of the opportunity to wear size 8 trousers when I could!


I'd also tell myself to get my bum to the school prom! For some reason I didn't go, and looking back now I wish I had!


So - what would your advice to yourself be?
 

sar

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Another great thread idea, Clare - really get you thinking!


Hmm, I think I would go back to all the times I was being bullied and tell myself not to take it to heart and that no matter what happens, I am great!
I would also tell myself that it is possible to survive without many friends - you'll find the right friends at the right time!
 
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purity

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Thanks! I'm in an interested/nosey mood lately!

The friends thing is a great one, when I was younger I wanted everyone to like me and worried myself to death if someone didn't. Now I accept that some people will like me, some won't. C'est la vie, I'm not going to lose sleep over it.
 

sar

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Originally Posted by Purity

Thanks! I'm in an interested/nosey mood lately!

The friends thing is a great one, when I was younger I wanted everyone to like me and worried myself to death if someone didn't. Now I accept that some people will like me, some won't. C'est la vie, I'm not going to lose sleep over it.
Have you secretly started your psychology course without telling anyone!


It is so funny how we all have so many insecurities about being 'popular' when we are younger! I'm so glad that I realised pretty early on that it wasn't the be all and end all!
 

darkeyedgirl

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I wouldn't want to go back and tell myself anything. Of all the bad things that happened to me, there were good things, too. The bad stuff aligned with the good stuff and the bad memories are intertwined with good memories.

Plus if I went back and 'warned' myself about a certain someone, I'd not have my cats... I'd also not have such zest and strength about myself!

The only thing I'd really want to do is give myself a big hug in preparation for the long road ahead, to get where I am today.
 

makinguscrazie

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I would say listen to my parents and value each day with my Mom as I never had any idea how much I would miss her once she was gone
 

graykittenlove

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Well at sixteen was a dating a jerk...so I'd tell myself to loose him quickly. Not that'd I'd listen to me at that age.


I'd tell myself to go directly to college after highschool full time instead of part time the way I did it. And not to take out any student loans if at all possible.

I'd also tell myself to stay as far away from credit cards as possible as they are the work of the devil. That could be that I have no self control though.

I'd tell myself to brace myself for the years to come though I wouldn't tell myself why.

I'd also tell myself to slow down and enjoy every moment I had because at that age you're facing down the end of your childhood and not to be in such a hurry to grow up because being a grown up isn't nearly as much fun.

Other than that, I'd just tell myself to have a good time.
 

katspixiedust

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I don't think I'd want to tell myself much. I was really enjoying my life at that age, and still am now, so there's not much I would consider wanting to change. Of course things weren't perfect but all of those little problems built my life to be the way it is now. The only thing I might say is, stop being so concerned over what others think of you. I'd just leave it at that though.
 

amandaofcols

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I think I would tell me to apply myself more in school, stay in my mom's house as long as possible, and don't worry so much about everything!! Oh and I think I would tell myself that bright blue hair is so not cool!!
 

vanillasugar

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I would tell myself NOT to listen to the high-school guidance councellors in regards to career advice. They told me I was not good enough in math and science to become a veterinarian. I wasted two years in University, in the wrong degree, and now I'm making up high school credits to go to college to be a vet tech. I COULD have made the grades to be a vet, had I been given confidence instead of doubt.
 

eatrawfish

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I was thinking I'd tell myself to go to a different college, but I made some really cool friends at the college I did go to. So... maybe go for a different major... Except that's how I met those friends...

Ok, I guess I wouldn't tell my young self anything.
 

xdx

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I would tell my younger self definatly not to try Anchovies!! No matter what anyone says there horrible
 

purr

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I would let myself experience most of the things I have, but mostly I would tell me to pay more attention in school instead of friends and boys. I'd tell myself to pick better friends, even if they weren't popular, and not freaking care so much what the people who weren't my friends thought about other people that had the potential of being TRUE friends.

I'd tell myself to not confuse intimacy with love. Oh, and definately never start smoking, you silly girl!

I'd tell myself to not move in with my ex, but to instead stay with my parents for as long as it took to get out on my own, and to enjoy every minute of it.
 

xomycatsxo

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To go to school for law like I always wanted but never did.

Learn to respect and love myself, and trust that not all men are evil.
 

ugaimes

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To apply to and attend law school (or grad school) immediately after college instead of waiting
.
 

kittythecat

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Wow, what a great question. I would have to say that I would tell myself that under no circumstances would I marry a man who had been married before with kids. It's one of the hardest things that I have done and I find myself asking "what have I gotten myself into?" a lot. I love my husand dearly and our daughter that we had together but it's so hard dealing with an ex and step kids. At least half of our arguments are about his ex or how to deal with the step kids or child support or something. I stress out everytime that it is our weekend to have the boys and when we drop them off I find myself giving out a big sigh of relief. They are very well behaved kids and it's hard living with two different families but it's hard trying to raise kids by someone else's rules. The sad part is that I know that it doesn't get any easier.
 

miss mew

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If I could go back to my younger days and tell myself anything it would be not to pay attention to all the negative stuff dumb people say just to make you feel bad.
 

dawnofsierra

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That's a great point about school. I should have gone straight into college and stayed in for the entire four years instead of taking years off to travel and fool around living elsewhere accomplishing nothing except to make pages in my life's history book. Also, be sober, choose your friends carefully, be careful who you trust, you can't find yourself or fill an emptiness in your life by looking to someone else, and nomatter how you try, you will never change someone else to be a better person.
I suppose if I had done all these things, though, I wouldn't know all I know today or be the person I am now.
gee, I didn't mean that to be so long. Dear Diary...
 
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