What's something you wish someone would have told you about life?

[ThatFraggle]

If you could go back in time with that knowledge, what would the knowledge be?

Get on the housing ladder asap.

You’re dyslexic, you numpty. Your teachers are small minded and cruel, and you are just as smart as your friends. Your parents will not understand, and that’s ok. Let it go, their life has been hard, but they made yours better where they could. Forgive them, and move away. Forgive yourself.
You’ll eventually get a distinction at MA, it’ll work out. ( but don’t drop out, it’ll be ok, just ask for help)!
Travel far more. Go to S America when it’s offered. Paint relentlessly. Wear what you damn well like. Do whatever you want to your hair. (And if a man tells you not to…run away)!
Recognise the true friendships and loves of your life and nurture those.
Maybe stick with that beautiful Irish boy. He will be in your dreams and the corner of your consciousness for the whole of your life…it might work out.
understand almost everything passes. You will survive horrendous unsurvivable things that shouldn’t be possible, then years later joy is just there, where you left it, (but understand life doesn’t care and will throw something else randomly).
Because of this, plant a garden, buy a hammock. Use it. Listen to jazz. Buy wine. Find a studio.
Have lots of good sex. Tell him what works. buy a vibrator. (You prude). Don’t ever ever fake an orgasm (unless really very tired).
Your children will be beautiful little people, (and big people before you can blink) but don’t let them define you, and don’t turn into your mother! Travel with them. paint them more often.
make photo albums.
your 40s will be a fog, you survive. You will be ok. Different, but really ok. The colours will come back just as bright.
Take the bloody HRT, it works for you!
Read everything. Go to every single gig. Always always keep a sketchbook. Don’t stop painting, it works out.

(that was cathartic. Thanks op)!

oh, and if you get back on that board you will impress your teen but break your wrist. Do. Not. Do. It. You are 50, not 15. Numpty.

When disconnecting a washing machine, after the first load of water pours out (and you catch it in a bucket), empty the bucket and bring it back. There is ALWAYS more water when you move the machine. ALWAYS.

That doing everything by the book or expectations doesn’t always mean you will succeed. Going to Uni getting a job is great but sometimes personality and natural ability out strip this. There are some people who didn’t try hard at school and are still successful (something our school almost suggested isn’t possible)

Don't let fear hold you back. Do the things you want to do, keep on trying and trying. Seek out opportunities and don't let them pass you by.

Also, if now me could tell past me one thing: something life changingly shit will happen but you will survive, even though it doesn't feel like you will at the time. Not only will you survive, by taking each moment as it comes you will thrive.

Most things you give headspace to don't matter at all.

Good one!

Learn to touch type! Most useful thing I ever did.

No marriage until you are 28, no children until you are 30. Don't spend the limit of your mortgage. None of the shit you buy matters.

Just apply! What’s the worst that can happen?

Don't use sunbeds.
Educate yourself on finance because if you don't, noone else will.
It's better to be content than too ambitious.
Don't settle when it comes to relationships

1. You are not fat. But you will enjoy running if you give it a chance and you will feel better for it. Get thyself to a running shop and get out there.

1. It’s ok to struggle with the social stuff and it’s ok to be vulnerable about that. No one is really ‘normal’ and everyone gets it wrong sometimes. You do not have to lie awake at 3am running through every stupid thing you ever said. The people you said it to have long forgotten.

1. You don’t have to have a big career to be a worthwhile person. You will be much happier being self-employed.

1. You are probably neurodiverse, and that is ok. You are not stupid, dull, or any of the other reasons that you think you’re struggling for. You just don’t get all the cues every time.

I passed my test on the 4th attempt at 33 you can do this.

Education education education. Study study study

That life doesn’t last as long as you think it will.
Make the most of now.

Cannabis is bad for you.

Look after your skin - wear spf and drink water, don’t use sunbeds, tanning oils etc…

If people aren’t nice to you, chances are they are actually jealous of you and want to put you down so you feel as crappy as they feel. Don’t let it bother you.

Remembered another - save as much money as you can because getting on the property ladder as early as you can will help you.

That your parents actually don't know everything. That you're not fat, it's a disease called lipoedema and all your extreme dieting will make it worse. That you have ADHD so be kind to yourself. That you won't be young and beautiful forever. Get married young and don't give a shit what they say. Have more babies.

Simply that life genuinely is unfair and you can work your arse off and do everything every adult told you to and sometimes you don't get what you deserve in life and you will see horrible people succeed and feel like WTF

Don't wait too long before having children. I waited too long and for the right person, and it didn't happen. I'm now too old.

To be honest,I don't think I'd have listened to any advice when I was younger! I think you learn by experience and making your own mistakes.

To have studied something useful and then pursued a career that would make good money.

Pay day means you'll be ok for half an hour and then those bills will need paying - adulthood sucks

It's ok to be different.