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?

Different jobs pay vastly different amounts and it's not necessarily correlated to how difficult they are, or the number or hours worked, or how hard the work is. While money isn't everything, it's worth bearing those differences in mind and planning your career trajectory accordingly. (Did work this out eventually but it took a while. My parents never expected to earn a lot so didn't teach their children to think this way: one sibling is only just earning above NMW in their 50s and is quite bitter about it.)

Actually staying single is the right choice for you and the friends who were slightly pitying about it in their mid 20s are slightly envious about it by their mid 40s.

If you have a narcissistic parent, you will attract narcissistic relationships.
It should have been taught in school.
Save.
Never ever smoke, it was a bitch to give up and you wasted so much money.
You probably aren't as fat as you think you are.

What kind of jobs pay a lot?

You're not as clever as you think you are, and other people aren't as stupid as you think they are.

Leave him, don't stay because 'you should be settling down'.

You can study law if you want to, you are good enough.

The adults don't have it all figured out, they worry about broken hearts, money and their futures.

Be brave, be fearless, take opportunities, nothing changes until it does.

Do not underestimate your worth, yourself, your heart.

Ask for help & support.

Your parents really do love you.

I’m amazed other people didn’t get the message “don’t get fat” when young. That instruction (plus the message that if you do, you are a failure, a drain on society and deserve nothing) is absolutely everywhere from a very young age!

Don't get fat, don't smoke, wear suncream.

Do not stay with a man you don't love.

People will disappoint you. It is usually not a reflection of you. How you respond to it is what matters and defines you.

1)Travel while you are younger and have money.
2)Don't have children, or you won't be able to do point 1
3) Don't marry an older man, you will end up a carer and not get to do point 1 when the kids are grown up- see point 2
4) Don't marry a skint older man. See points above.

Don’t marry him. Run as far away as possible. Your gut instinct is correct.

Manage your money better and save more of it.
Don't get fat (echoing pp)
Don't be so lazy. Do some exercise!
A medium/large dominoes pizza doesn't serve just one person.

@GemmaCritical I'm saving up now. I live in London which has an adequate transport system, and the Mayor hates cars, but I want to be able to visit places a train or bus cannot reach. I'm 45.

Choose who you have children with VERY carefully
This is probably the most important advice on this thread so far. Most other poor decisions are reversible.
Also, don't have to have more children with each relationship.

Amen to that. I wish I had because my life can be quite hard due to ex. I've learned to tune out to it. It has made parenting harder for me definitely

When a man ten years your senior rushes you into a relationship

Rushes you into a pregnancy

Run a mile

It's ok to say no

It's ok to tell people that you are being abused

Don't ignore that first red flag 🚩
Just don't

Investment banking
corporate lawyer
bookmaking
pro tennis player
running a meth lab ( prob need chemistry a level)

@TheNameIsDickDarlington like looking in the mirror reading this!

Although, I do love my life now! But I wish I travelled, however if I had, I wouldn't have met DH. It's a catch 22.

The comfort I have is that I WILL travel, I live life how I want to now. It's okay if dreams take a little longer.

Blokes will pretty much sleep with most women once. Someone wanting to sleep with you doesn’t mean they really like you.

Dont worry about not really fitting in in your home town and do stupid things to try to fit in. You will find your tribe at Uni and afterwards.

Don't marry anyone you wouldn’t have as a business partner ( my uncle told me this and it was v good advice).

It’s all well and good being an international student in London, but think very hard about the decades long repercussions of having a family here. You’ll be too far from your beloved family and stuck in a country you have virtually zero connection to.

Buy that condo in Toronto in 2001.

To choose a partner based on shared values and ethics. To be fair, back then i would have presumed i did, but after we grew apart i just thought it was normal to struggle so i stayed about 5 yrs longer than i should have. I have been sooooooooooo happy with my wonderful husband and life of ease and contentment ever since.

Your financial situation is not a reflection of your worth as a person. People may think it is, but it isn't.

Talk to your parents (and grandparents) while you can. Ask about their childhoods, the hopes and dreams they had. Ask about the history of your family as far back as they can remember. One day you’ll want to know much more about the people that made you and they won’t be there to answer your questions.

Get professional qualifications. It is the one thing it is very hard to take away from you. (And if they can, the chances are you deserve it).

• Failing at something allows you to grow; don't be afraid of it.

• you cannot be happy all of the time and that's fine. The darker moments make the best moments that bit richer.

• laughter is the best medicine. Marry someone funny!

Believe the good things about yourself, don’t believe the bad things you’ve been told:
you’re wrong
you’re stupid
you’ll never succeed
you need to lose weight
you don’t deserve that
Instead, believe,
you’re right
you’re intelligent
you can do anything
you’re beautiful
you owe yourself this

You’ve got this.