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Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

What do you wish you could warn younger you about?

131 replies

OneUmberJoker · 12/12/2025 17:42

Inheritance tax

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SomeOtherUser · 31/05/2026 22:44

Steer clear of that criminal lunatic man 14 years your senior!

Helpmechooseausername · 31/05/2026 01:14

Pricelessadvice · 14/12/2025 06:48

Don’t get in that swimming pool.

I really need to know more!!

(I know it's an old thread, but...)

NedsAtomicWheelieBin · 31/05/2026 01:06

That a man being interested in you does not mean his intentions are good.

KojaksLollipop · 31/05/2026 01:00

Don’t smile at that man on New Year’s Eve in 1993, he’s an abusive prick. And don’t get into a rebound relationship with that man you think adores you, as an ego boost, he’ll break your heart 27 years later.

Put as much money into Apple as you can, you’ll be minted!

ClawsandEffect · 31/05/2026 00:59

Marriage. It's a trap and you'll hate it.

Children. You'll love them but it's still a trap.

Men. Not worth it.

Don't force yourself to spend too much time with other people. You don't need or really enjoy being with them.

Don't stop studying. Go straight from MA onto PhD. You'll regret it if you don't.

Turn your thesis into a book. You'll be ahead of the new wave of theory.

NormasArse · 31/05/2026 00:55

I’d tell me to save money for an early retirement.

I’d warn myself not to drink alcohol.

WearyAuldWumman · 31/05/2026 00:54

Your mum told you to be wary of strange men. You also need to be wary of boys you know.

2026onwardsandup · 31/05/2026 00:52

Even if you are the lower earner . Think about your financial independence and get to full time hours as soon as you can after having kids .

Sorry to continue to add to the cynism on the thread - but the last person who you think will ever cheat , may well end up cheating .

Read up on peri menopause / menopause and all the various symptoms - it’s not just hot flushes .
Unless there are medical reasons not too, you shouldn’t put off going on hrt .

OSTMusTisNT · 31/05/2026 00:51

That so many friends will die before they are old, send that message today as tomorrow may be too late.

(I'm okay before anyone asks, just been to yet another friends funeral this week who died many years before their time).

Mclaren10 · 31/05/2026 00:48

Cults

5foot5 · 31/05/2026 00:14

Endowment mortgages. And so-called financial advisors.

toonananana · 31/05/2026 00:09

To have learned how to drive as a young adult

toonananana · 31/05/2026 00:09

To save save save

Elsvieta · 15/05/2026 19:10

Get a pension at 25 not 35.

Put the sunblock on your neck and hands, not just your face.

Adelle79360 · 15/05/2026 15:58

Leave when he gets his hands on you. Delaying the inevitable makes it so much harder to leave. You all deserve so much more than angry outbursts and aggressiveness.

Pricelessadvice · 14/12/2025 06:48

Don’t get in that swimming pool.

firstofallimadelight · 14/12/2025 05:53

My back. Start Pilates, gym young and eat healthy. I took my body for granted in my twenties.

Delphinium20 · 14/12/2025 05:52

never give up your weekly exercise routine.

AMillionPeopleCheering · 14/12/2025 00:40

My mother's behaviour is not normal and I do not deserve it.

That bulimia will trash your teeth.

Meteorite87 · 13/12/2025 22:34

Appreciate every day with your Mum, because you won't have her for many years

Try some of those ideas you had, instead of just thinking "Maybe I could....."

You will never feel thin enough, so don't bother starting chasing a number on the scale or BMI chart.

Caring for a much loved relative on your own for 27.3 days/28 is too much for anyone.

Pineapplewaves · 13/12/2025 20:22

Men - don’t waste your time looking for “the one”, concentrate on your job, learn to drive, get your own house, enjoy your life and you’ll meet someone when you least expect it.

ChocoChocoLatte · 13/12/2025 19:48

Not getting into debt

cancer

Forthelov · 13/12/2025 19:44

Sugar

Horrorscope · 13/12/2025 19:42

@Cel77 “Keep a diary.”

I wholly endorse this having kept a diary on and off since 1981 (I’ve been good and written every day for the past five years).

You won’t believe how much you forget over a lifetime. Society and things change so much over the years, so adding the day’s news and details of day-to-day living are good ideas too.

One day it will be valuable history (although I’m not sure my entries will be - the nature of them doesn’t seem to have changed much since I was 15 😂).

Inextremis · 13/12/2025 19:36

NEVER get involved with anyone called Kevan. They can't spell their own name, for a start ;)