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Original poster

If you could talk to your 16 year old self what would you say?

103 replies

Trivester · 06/05/2022 10:12

I’d tell her that one day she will be relieved that she didn’t marry Johnny Depp (she won’t believe me)

I should give her better career advice, but I’ve still no idea what that should be.

I’m pretty sure that she’d be too appalled at the state of her 45 year old self to take any advice anyway.

OP posts:

merryhouse · 06/05/2022 11:19

Don't try to be a teacher - you're not good at it (though not for the reasons everyone thinks); Train to be an actuary (aim for a 2:I, they'll want that)
Don't sit doing the puzzle the first day you meet those potential new friends at university
Don't panic when you can't do the question immediately - that's what lessons are for; Don't fixate on Cambridge - you probably won't learn how to learn soon enough, and that other place is nice; Seriously, spend two hours every morning or afternoon practising the questions
Don't think about a boyfriend right now - that cute boy is not into girls (possibly just not now, possibly at all, still not sure) and you'll make a tit of yourself; there's a Good Idea just waiting in the wings
Just have one beer and then go home - you'll sleep better and end the course in the black (and you don't actually need to spend hours listening to tales of sets and effects for productions past)
You know how you Have Short Hamstrings? well, apparently this is a thing that can be changed, so learn about dynamic and static stretches. Oh, and do the weights (you're really not in danger of overdeveloped muscles )

LindaEllen · 06/05/2022 11:20

I'm quite happy with how most things in my life have gone, but I would tell my 16yo self to exercise and stop eating rubbish. My teenage years were heavily tainted because I was obese. My mum used to tell me there was nothing wrong with me - which didn't help. She should have been feeding me healthier meals and taking me for walks or swimming/cycling or something.

But if I could go back, I would explain how to eat healthily and exercise, and try to drop some weight. I would have been much happier in sixth form and uni (plus my 20s) if I'd done this sooner.

BlueKaftan · 06/05/2022 11:22

Get tested for ADHD

MGMidget · 06/05/2022 11:24

Keep doing many of the things you are doing but be more guarded, less forgiving and less trusting of people close to you because a couple of them are going to show their true colours later!

Magicfeet11 · 06/05/2022 11:25

You're going to do more than you ever thought you could. Ignore your mum more and believe in yourself. It's going to be a great adventure

Blone · 06/05/2022 11:25

You look great!

DameHelena · 06/05/2022 11:28

Start putting money aside and do it EVERY week of your life from now on, even if i's just £1.
Ask for help from those adults who look concerned and ask if you're OK. You deserve to be happier.

Iwanttenofthose · 06/05/2022 11:28

It's going to be ok, you won't always feel like this

Cervinia · 06/05/2022 11:30

i would say embrace your lily white skin and your legs really are not fat.

IanOsenfrote · 06/05/2022 11:48

Ask more girls out. Nothing to lose

Learn a trade.

Get those investments started NOW.

123cupcake4 · 06/05/2022 11:49

Save save save

MeMe3Spoons · 06/05/2022 11:50

"Don't pay attention to what other people expect of you, leave school after GCSE's and be a hairdresser if that's what you want to do." I would love to see how that version of my life played out.

Katlow · 06/05/2022 11:51

I had a horrible time as a teenager with lack of self esteem and self respect - but would go through it all again to meet my husband and have my little boy.
If I wasn't the way I was, clubbing all the time, I would never have met him.

MysteriousMonkey · 06/05/2022 11:51

The people you think are your friends really aren't. They don't want what's best for you, they want you to be exactly like them. Also your boyfriend is a cheat. Start studying, stop drinking and smoking and do something with computers.

dudsville · 06/05/2022 11:53

You're right to be so silver lining about everything, it really does turn out well!

SmiledWtherisingsun · 06/05/2022 11:54

Noshowlomo · 06/05/2022 10:18

You’re not fat
You’re cool as fuck
Be more confident
Don’t like prick face treat you like shit

This 100%!

runnerswimmer · 06/05/2022 11:54

Get counselling for your dad's death and grieve for him, not be in denial that he has gone.

Drop friends who treat you like shit

axolotlfloof · 06/05/2022 11:59

Dump the boyfriend - he is a loser.
Study hard - academia gets harder, and you might feel clever now but there are so many smart and hard working people in the big wide world.
Don't get hammered - it's a waste of time, and you will regret your actions.
Spend time with your Mum - you will lose her sooner than you think.

PiddleOfPuppies · 06/05/2022 12:01

Don't do A levels. They won't enrich your life, you're not academic despite what your mum thinks. You'll enjoy working much more and you'll find your self-confidence will increase massively.

colouringfoxes · 06/05/2022 12:03

You're going to be okay. The next few years will be really hard in some ways, and wonderful in others.
It's not your job to keep the peace between your parents, they'll get round to splitting up eventually.
Don't listen to the poison lies your mum tells about your dad.
Liking both girls and boys isn't just a phase, it's actually a real thing.
I'm really proud of you and one day you will be too.

Bogofballs · 06/05/2022 12:03

Stop eating cake and chocolate- it’s addictive and it will be so difficult to get back to a healthy weight as you age

VintageGibbon · 06/05/2022 12:03

Start exercising now. Just because you had no skill at team sport doesn't mean you have to be unfit all your life.

Save money.

When you get to uni, work. Turn up for lectures. Hand in essays on time and when that girl asks you to skip your matriculation and go for a walk with her instead, say no. She will bully and dominate you for ten years. Don't get close to her.

You are not your dad and his raging temper. Don't copy him. Just because he always gets what he wants by throwing hissy fits doesn't mean you will or should. Be yourself. You are actually, naturally, a very calm person.

RubaDubMum89 · 06/05/2022 12:04

Stop taking drugs, in a year or so you'll be a full blown addict.

It's not cool to go out with men twice your age, they're pathetic pervs.

It's not normal for men to beat you.

Your life so far hasn't been your fault. You were always good enough, the people around you were not.

Love yourself instead of looking for love elsewhere.

Don't talk to the man downstairs. Eventually he's going to rape you.

You've absolutely got this. You can do anything you like and eventually you will succeed at life. Follow my advice now and save yourself another 10 years of pain. I believe in you.

KohlaParasaurus · 06/05/2022 12:05

You're going to turn back into a civilised human being and stop snapping at your mum in a few years anyway and your life will be a lot easier in the meantime if you put a filter on your gob now instead of waiting. Apologise to your sisters for having been a little shit to them when you were all younger. Stop making a feature out of not caring about your appearance, other people have to look at you. And hold out for a partner you don't have any doubts about.

Bumpsadaisie · 06/05/2022 12:09

"You need and greatly depend on your parents who do an awful lot for you to support you. So you might stop feeling quite so superior and stop looking down in them from a great height. It's not the reality and it doesn't do you any favours either, to devalue your parents in your mind."

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