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Original poster

What would your 16-year-old self think of where you are now?

134 replies

dumbstruckdumptruck · 26/08/2022 20:07

I've been feeling a bit disappointed by life recently – objectively totally irrationally, since my situation is pretty good, all things considered. So I've been trying to imagine how my younger self would feel if I could show her her future.

How do you think your younger self (teenage age) would feel if she could see how things turned out?

OP posts:
HorseInTheHouse · 26/08/2022 22:02

She'd be so relieved. I was so miserable at 16, terrified that I'd always be like that, never have any friends, never have a relationship, never have children. I hoped that things would get better but my darkest fear was that it wouldn't. It got so much better.

gemloving · 26/08/2022 22:04

Very much like: what? Amazing.

ChiefWiggumsBoy · 26/08/2022 22:10

She'd be absolutely fucking devastated.

Not a dancer, fat as fuck, living a completely pedestrian life in the NW. I should have been a famous dancer with a famous boyfriend living in London.

(To be clear, I was on the pathway to being a dancer but essentially chickened out).

I am completely content with my life, but if I could go back I'd make some drastically different decisions.

YfenniChristie · 26/08/2022 22:17

I think she'd be pleased (by the house, DS and DH) and surprised (by the job - initially wanted to go into theatre, and here I am happily working in heritage).

The only thing I think she'd be disappointed by the lack of travelling I've done - finances haven't allowed for the holidays or backpacking I'd dreamed of.

Damnautocorrect · 26/08/2022 22:18

really sad and disappointed

Useitorloseit · 26/08/2022 22:20

She would be amazed I am married and have kids to the lad who had just absolutely shattered her heart. I think she would be happy about that but maybe disappointed about a few other things, career etc. I do hope she would be happy that I am happy though!

Erictheavocado · 26/08/2022 22:23

Stupidly happy to know that the gorgeous man I met at a party a few weeks ago would be my (still gorgeous) dh over 40 years later. Amazed that I had children - at 16 I was adamant that was not in my lifeplan. Very proud to think that my children would have grown into the amazing adults they are. Incredulous that I am a grandmother to a wonderful little boy. Sad that so many members of our family are no longer with us, but realistically, wouldn't have expected them to still be here. I hope she would be proud that she has a decent lifestyle, after a number of years when it was a struggle.

Louise0701 · 26/08/2022 22:23

Very happy and proud!
Also impressed that the “Mrs X” and “ X and X 4eva IDDST” scribblings I used to write all over my school books in around Y8 became a reality when I married my secondary school crush, then boyfriend!

Motnight · 26/08/2022 22:26

I think that my 16 year old self would be surprised that I am loved.

Smallorangecat · 26/08/2022 22:26

She would be sad about how things have turned out in the last year. I am doing the job my 16 year old self dreamed of and had wanted to do for her whole childhood, so she would be pleased about that and my children, but the rest of it has gone to shit and, given that I was depressed and contemplating suicide at 16, I am not sure she would think it worth sticking around for. She would also not be pleased with how similar my mental health issues are to then. I might be overthinking this, but can my 16 year old self only see me now or can she also see the in between bits where things were good and I was happy?

purplegal · 26/08/2022 22:28

She's be pleased with my career, my salary and that I waited so long to have children (pregnant with my first at 36). Pleased with the memories of a very fun filled life but disappointed that I didn't save more along the way and still don't own my own home!

JustKeepLookingWithYourEyes · 26/08/2022 22:30

I think overall she would be very pleased - I have a job in the field she expected I’d go to but my career has exceeded her expectations. Lovely DH, cute kids and a nice house. She would be horrified that I’ve let myself get fat though!

SammySueTwo · 26/08/2022 22:31

My teenage self would be correct in assessing I have failed in every aspect of life. I could have passed any exam - done anything.
instead I’m stuck in a dead end career I am totally unsuited to, I have failed completely at marriage and friendship. Worst of all I have failed as a parent with one child off the rails who I can’t have a relationship with despite under 18.
I would have seen myself as a piss poor excuse for humanity and handed myself the vodka and sleeping pills.

youdontnome · 26/08/2022 22:32

She would be amazed I am where I am. A loving family, a lovely house, a husband who I've been with for 30+ years, we've been through some horrendous times, neither of us have been big earners and I'm not sure how I accomplished this myself to be honest. Yeah, she'd be well proud.

RewildingAmbridge · 26/08/2022 22:35

She would think I'm very boring, I'm married have a child and a professional job (albeit one that definitely would've interested her), I don't travel as much anymore, I wear no eyeliner most days, my nose piercing has gone, and my jeans no longer cover my shoes and drag on the floor.
I haven't been to a proper gig since before the pandemic and stopped going to festivals about ten years ago because I don't want to sleep on the floor in a tent anymore! She'd also be sad that I gave up my vintage beetle because it used too much petrol and I was saving to move/for a bigger mortgage.
She'd be proud I've retained my feminist principles and that I'm still known for having a valuable opinion and for not tolerating discrimination/bullying/twattery.
She'd loathe my décor.
She'd also be gobsmacked that I am married to the boy she took the school bus with, who at sixteen she had a bit of a crush on, and one fleeting kiss, the cool one she went to all the gigs with, the festivals, most of the international adventures and that he's currently sitting in the dining room painting tiny models with a magnifying lamp .....

youdontnome · 26/08/2022 22:35

Louise0701 · 26/08/2022 22:23

Very happy and proud!
Also impressed that the “Mrs X” and “ X and X 4eva IDDST” scribblings I used to write all over my school books in around Y8 became a reality when I married my secondary school crush, then boyfriend!

Wow! Really wish we could 'like' posts.

Heaviestdirtyestsoul · 26/08/2022 22:35

16 year old me would be horrified I'd had children. Utterly horrified, and wondering why I wasn't digging holes in Egypt or cleaning finds at vindolanda. 16 year old me would love my full bookshelves and my home, and that I learned to cook so well!

Costacoffeeplease · 26/08/2022 22:38

Shocked in both good and bad ways

Sandra1984 · 26/08/2022 22:40

At 16 I played bass in a rock band and wanted to be a rockstar, never wanted to marry or have children . 30 years later I’m still single and no kids. The rockstar thing didn’t really worked out so I’m a self employed massage therapist. My 16 year old self would be very surprised at how my life turned out, I’m still that free spirited and creative entrepreneurial kid. I’m glad I didn’t become a rockstar 🤣😂🤣

Galaxyinmypocket · 26/08/2022 22:42

Proud of the challenges I overcome.
Shocked and impressed at the career change I made.
Willing me on to stay strong during difficulties.
Impressed that the perfume I chose by chance all those years ago has been a staple ever since and that I still wear it (because it reminds me of her and how strong she was ).

Disappointed that I let a few people hurt/take advantage of me (but proud of me for walking away).
Judgemental about my weight gain.

Loves my shoe collection
Loves my make up and perfume collection.

DustinsHat · 26/08/2022 22:53

I think she'd just be delighted that we lost our virginity Grin

ThanksAntsThants · 26/08/2022 22:57

Shocked, disappointed, but she’d be delighted with my guitars.

WobblyLondoner · 26/08/2022 22:57

I've been thinking of this myself, promoted by DS GCSEs. My 16 year old self would be flabbergasted at how things have turned out, in a good way.

She'd just failed her maths GCSE and generally had a bit of a nightmare at school. Never had a boyfriend, felt horribly out of place everywhere. But I've had a really good career, lovely partner, DS etc. I think she's be pretty chuffed.

SilverLiningPlaybook · 26/08/2022 23:01

In some disappointed. In others proud and surprised.

Office247 · 26/08/2022 23:04

I’d never believe it. I was alone in council accommodation with no carpets at 16. I’d been neglected by my parents and legged it.

I am happily married in a house with no mortgage and two kids, I have such a fun job that involves my hobby. I couldn’t ask for much else