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What would your younger self make of you now?

131 replies

VladmirsPoutine · 10/03/2020 16:23

I came across a similar thread on Twitter and thought it would be interesting on MN.

What would your younger self think of you today. Let's say your late teenage years / early 20s girl make of what your life looks like now?

My teenage self would be very impressed - I did most of the things I had considered. I am probably a lot more boring than I would have anticipated but in terms of career I did end up working in my dream job and travelling to the countries I wanted to live in. I also randomly got into Oxford which my sisters had a bet on. I don't have kids or a husband which I thought I would but whatever.

OP posts:
Batfinklestein · 10/03/2020 17:46

She'd be proud of where I live and the job I do. I reckon she'd be impressed with the fact I've travelled and lived abroad. And with the partying I've done!
She'd think I was loaded if she knew what I earnt and how much my flat cost, but she'd be wrong!
She'd be shocked I go to the gym about 5 days a week and enjoy it.
I think she'd be surprised I've got married later in life than she thought she would. And she definitely would think I need to make an effort to be a bit more glamorous Grin

isabellerossignol · 10/03/2020 17:47

My younger self would be absolutely gutted. Teenage me thought that I'd travel the world, have a really great career, and probably emigrate. Middle aged me is still fighting to get a foot in the door to get a career off the ground, still lives in the area where I grew up and I have children. I hope my own daughter follows teenage me's dreams and doesn't end up like middle aged me.

heidbuttsupper · 10/03/2020 17:52

She would be so sad for me

wrinkledimplelover · 10/03/2020 17:55

If she knew then what was ahead of her, she'd have topped herself. No question.

Bezalelle · 10/03/2020 17:55

Younger me would be so happy. I've had books published and travelled a lot, which were my main ambitionsz

PrimeraVez · 10/03/2020 18:00

I think younger me would be happy. I have a great job, earn a silly amount of money etc, am very happily married to my teenage boyfriend, have two beautiful children and have lived overseas for the last 10 years.

Actually, the more I think about it, at 20 I was quite unhappy and not at all optimistic about my future so I think I would be very pleased with where I am now!

InTheShadowOfTheMushroomCloud · 10/03/2020 18:06

My teenage self would be surprised I was still alive! I wasn't in a great place and taking any substance available. So bring married (3rd time) with my own home and grandchildren would be a big surprise.

meow1989 · 10/03/2020 18:07

Me early 10 years ago would be glad I got it together and managed my anxiety. I think I'd be disappointed I'm still in the same lines of work but happy with the seniority. I'm now married to my then boyfriend and we have a beautiful ds. I think I'd be pleased. Although judgey about how mu h weight I've gained ( not even a ridiculous anount).

However I do often have the though that "I wonder what past me would make of it if this was the snapshot into the future they could see" when I'm Jumping round the kitchen dancing to the wiggles or similar

SassyBrassyBitch · 10/03/2020 18:07

You fat, sad, loser.

UserThenLotsOfNumbers · 10/03/2020 18:10

Gutted

Heihei · 10/03/2020 18:11

BORING!!! Doing a safe boring job that I swore I’d never do. Living in a little country village instead of a glamorous city in Europe. With a decent man, who has an equally safe job instead of Keanu Reeves/a spy. With a child of all things. I reckon the only thing my younger self would approve of is the dog.

TeeBee · 10/03/2020 18:11

I think she'd think I was epic. Awesome job, earning lots, ambitious, own house, single, two amazing kids and super happy.

Purplequalitystreet · 10/03/2020 18:14

My teen self would probably be mostly excited that hair straighteners were invented (always hated my natural hair. It doesn't curl nicely. Just goes poofy).

My early 20s self would probably be horrified that I got the dream career, then decided that climbing the ladder wasn't for me. They'd expect me to be way more senior than I actually am. On the other hand, they'd be pleased that I work for a big company, have a decent salary and finally got a mortgage. But most amazing of all, she'd be gobsmacked that someone actually stuck with me for more than a few months, that I'm planning a wedding and have a baby! Young 20s me thought I was a lost cause. She also would never have had a baby without marriage first but, hey, things change!

mbosnz · 10/03/2020 18:16

She'd be a bit perplexed at just how far from the plan my life had gone! She'd be happy at my life family wise, gutted at how it went career wise. I think she'd understand when told how that happened though - although she might think I should have tried harder.

NeverYouMind123 · 10/03/2020 18:18

She would be impressed that I have achieved things she never would have thought possible but she would be disappointed at how fat and unsociable I have become

Ladyinamask · 10/03/2020 18:19

Bloody surprised! Married to amazing man ( she was thinking of being a nun as so rubbish with men). Job thank god must have passed exams and got to uni.
House etc yep she would be very surprised.
Also very unset about what happened to her family!

Ladyinamask · 10/03/2020 18:21

Oh and 3 children, she is unconscious with shock now. Thought she would be infertile after the chemotherapy.

Connie222 · 10/03/2020 18:22

She would fucking despair and run away in horror. I’m a massive disappointment to myself.

Changedmyname84 · 10/03/2020 18:24

I think she would be concerned about my mental health and a few missed opportunities but she’d be amazed at my house - my journey - job - her future husband!

LadyEloise · 10/03/2020 18:25

She'd be sad how her life panned out.
Her hopes and dreams for her life didn't come to pass.
But she's still standing

DoAsYouWouldBeMumBy · 10/03/2020 18:26

My 20 year old self would be fine with 50 year old me. I'm a less glamorous version of what she hoped for, but I tick most of the boxes. I'm married with a family, I work in the field that I wanted to, I live in a niceish house by the sea.

OK, so I don't have as many kids as she wanted, I'm not very senior in my role and I'm fatter and poorer than she'd have liked, but I'm not overly fat or poor.

She'd be more bothered about the crap that some of my friends and family are going through Thanks

Fanthorpe · 10/03/2020 18:26

Really shocked and pleased at who I married, thought he was gone forever. Thrilled by my children. Delighted by all the places I’ve been and lovely people I’ve met. A bit sad that I’m not a professional anything. Would be very happy with all the books I own.

Noshowlomo · 10/03/2020 18:26

Fat

Absolutepowercorrupts · 10/03/2020 18:27

She'd be really impressed that I've managed to stop smoking after 46 years. She'd be delighted that I've cut all contact with the woman that gave birth to me. Disappointed that it took me 55 years to achieve this.

LilyJade · 10/03/2020 18:29

She'd be amazed at how much more confident I am.