If you could go back & tell the teen-of-you

[loveisland]

If you could go back and tell the teenage you some life lessons you have now learned the hard way what would you say?
I wish I could go and shake the teenage me and say "that older boy is abusing you, please run a mile"

I would tell myself to ignore the "careers advice" I was given, and go for it.

Take chances even when you're afraid. It won't be scary forever. Don't let boys treat you like shit, you're worth more than that.

Also. Don't get married so young. Live a little.

Oh I'm already loving these! All of them seem to apply to my teen years

Don't take the good and crazy times for granted, it won't last forever. Have some solid goals, travel the world, don't tie yourself down to one person and embrace change. Be fearless.

Go. To. University.

Travel. Work hard at school. Have a life with friends. Don’t let your mother hold you back. Travel. Move out of home. Live on your own. Travel. Go to university so you don’t have to as an adult. Have more confidence. Travel. You are very pretty and slim. You can do anything you want to. Travel. Don’t wear baggy white jeans or indeed any 90s fashion. Or perm your hair. Travel. Invest in property with your spare money while it’s cheap. Don’t waste money on old cars. Travel.

You will have children, with out ivf, the doctors we’re wrong.

Fucking auto correct. Without and were obviously

Ignore any negativity. Smile, enjoy the lack of responsibility

I'd tell myself that everything will work out brilliantly.

Don't have babies quite so young, live a little first. See the world, be kinder to yourself and never let a man make you become dependent on him

I'd say, "You're not weird, you're autistic. They're weird."

Take the Oxford offer. You'll make the grades....

Every minute spent thinking you are ugly is a wasted minute you will never get back.
Loving yourself is more important than seeking validation from others.
Learn who you are and stay true to yourself.
It’s not you, it’s them.
Don’t smoke.

Don't think about marrying the first guy you had a serious relationship with. Dont even get into that relationship. Don't do things for him. Don't drive him round. Make him earn your love don't give it out so freely.

Appreciate those legs, arse and tits!

Don't marry the first man who asks...

Don't worry so much.

Think about what you realistically want to do with your life, the vague arts degree isn't going to be much use.

Do. Not. Start. Smoking.

Don't bother with university. A bit of practical work experience would have been just as valuable as a degree, and you'd have had a better pension built up by now (I can imagine what my teenage self might have thought about pension advice!).

Don't smoke, don't drink so much so young, move away earlier, go to uni and believe that you're a nice person. Don't believe all the horrible shit you were told growing up to it's bullshit! Be more sensible with money.

Don’t be a teacher. You don’t need a boyfriend. Don’t be needy. Settling down is not all it’s cracked up to be and certainly not at a young age.

Lighten up and have more fun

Get into the habit of exercising regularly

Be nicer

Start a pension asap

Buy a flat when 100% mortgages were being offered to uni students

At the risk of sounding a little aggressive, "tell those school bullies to fuck off and die"

Work harder at school and go to university

Stay away from Davy B

But then if I had done either of these then I would not have the life an the family I have now, so maybe I wouldn’t.

I'd say "leave the boyfriend who cheats on you ALL the time, even though you've been with him since 14 and he's your comfort blanket"

Don't hang around waiting for one boy to settle down with you, move on to another one. Invest in property.