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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:
Cemist · 07/05/2022 05:42

Don't listen to your parents. Whatever they say, do the opposite.

Inkanta · 07/05/2022 06:17

Career advice. Avoid academia and appreciate and pursue what you are gifted at. In my case it was music - which I ignored. Don't let the adults lead on this.

Inkanta · 07/05/2022 06:19

whereismybike · 06/05/2022 16:42

Try to work out what you really enjoy and build a life/friends/career around that. Not what you think you should like, what you think will make people like you, or what you think you should want to do- what you REALLY enjoy. This will mean trying things and changing your mind quite a bit, but that's OK.

Yes to this whereismybike🙂

GlamorousHeifer · 07/05/2022 06:19

You won't be ugly forever, you will blossom when you have choices and your parents influence is diminished.
You are not too fat for women's clothes, they do make them in your size but your mother doesn't want to shop there.
Listen to all of the nice things your Grandma says to you and about you, she is the only one that really cares about you.

ShadowPuppets · 07/05/2022 06:24

I'm really proud of you and one day you will be too

That made me tear up @colouringfoxes, that’s so lovely.

Mine would just be “keep going - you get there and it all works out okay”.

Nutellaspoon · 07/05/2022 06:26

Ignore mum. She has no idea what you'll enjoy so go and do the thing she said you'll hate. At least find our for yourself that you hate it.

Forgottenmypasswordagain · 07/05/2022 06:29

Don't marry him.

Pinkmagic1 · 07/05/2022 06:32

Finish your college course

MsTSwift · 07/05/2022 06:35

Actually looking back I wouldn’t change anything. So I think my 16 year old self was pretty smart and made good choices!

choppolata · 07/05/2022 06:41

When the orthodontist says you can have your braces off today, or in 6 months, wait 6 months.

LizzeyBenett · 07/05/2022 06:47

Spend more time with the people you love a lot of them wont be here for as long as you think Halo

Dump your first love after the first year or two don't hang In for 4 and spend another couple getting over him .... he is soooo not worth it.

And do better In School so you can have the career you want .

BertieBotts · 07/05/2022 06:51

Stay in school (college) and approach the learning support department about an ADHD assessment (I would have wondered WTF older me was on about though)

Boys are not another species, they are just male and don't need to be held to such low standards. If you don't enjoy spending time with a boy as a friend then he's probably not a good boyfriend. Also, dating/relationships don't need to be so intense. Calm is good. In fact just get in touch with Sarah. She's bi too.

It's OK if you don't want to have sex and you're not ridiculously behind, nor do you need to desperately try and catch up.

Mummadeze · 07/05/2022 06:55

I wouldn’t say anything. Every bad, selfish or stupid decision I made eventually moulded me into a decent person. I thinking there is some merit in learning the hard way. And I wouldn’t have listened to any advice at that age either.

MyCatIsAJerk · 07/05/2022 07:01

I’m in my 60s. 20 minutes ago I was 16.

If I could say one thing to that little girl, I’d urge her to enjoy being young and not worry about growing up too fast.

Okay, two things.

Swayingpalmtrees · 07/05/2022 07:03

Keep yourself safe at all times
Learn how to have boundaries
Don't let people take advantage of you
Recognise your parents can not look after you and can't feel emotion in the way you can, so you have to look after you or find an adult that can

Carry on listening to your instincts
Carry on travelling and learning
You should have had help to go to University from your school, you are a very bright girl but it will work out okay

Keep paracetamols out of the house

ImplementingTheDennisSystem · 07/05/2022 07:05

You're going to hit 18 in 2001 and property is going to be cheap, but will get a HELL of a lot more expensive. So do whatever it takes and buy a house as young as you can in a shitty area of zone 2/3. You'll be a millionaire one day!

I'd also give myself tips on making and keeping friends, and finding hobbies and passions to enjoy - as I've only learnt these skills in my 30s.

wanderingscot · 07/05/2022 07:09

Hold tight. You're having a horrible time as a teenager at school (it's so insular and restrictive but you don't realise that at the moment). Once you're free of that, you'll fly!

CarryonCovid · 07/05/2022 07:18

Look after your teeth.
Keep up the running.

CloudPine · 07/05/2022 20:23

You fancy women: don’t be scared of it.
Go to uni in London. For the women.
Join a climbing club.
Consider a career outdoors.

Things will get better. You’re ok.

TheTeaCosyofDoom · 07/05/2022 20:29

Do not make men the be-all-and-end-all of your life. Avoid men called Peter like the plague. You are about to become a very attractive young woman. Believe it and make the best of it. Get a proper career, and do not do anything when you're twenty that might result in your getting pregnant.

TheVolturi · 07/05/2022 20:32

Run, run as fast as you can.

thistimelastweek · 07/05/2022 20:35

School subjects actually are interesting.

Don't listen to your mum about everything.

Mossstitch · 07/05/2022 20:38

Leave home! You don't have to 'obey your parents', and don't say yes to the first man that wants to go out with you and marry him because you have no self esteem...... Due to said parents!

Inkanta · 07/05/2022 20:40

Avoid men called Peter like the plague

😀

chynapearl · 07/05/2022 20:46

Don't do a college course because that's all you think you can do

Go to work save up and learn to drive asap

Put some money into a company pension as they were final salary back then

If it doesn't affect you don't worry about it

Ditch bitchy friends who use you as their yardstick. Trust your instincts they are right

Learn to say no

Have fun go party