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?

Sunscreen. Minimum spf30. Even though you look 20 when you're 35 that will change in your 40s!

No processed food
Floss everyday
Travel, travel, travel
Don't settle instead aim high
Learn a language
Go to as many concerts as possible
Don't rely on anyone

Make sure sex is enjoyable for you every time - don’t worry about him. He’ll enjoy it anyway.

Stop worrying what people think of you. People are self orientated, they mostly don’t give a shit about you or what you look like.

Invest in property and don’t waste money on clothes and shoes you hardly wear.

Know what colours and styles suit you.

Learn to speak in RP. Everyone will take you more seriously and you’ll earn more.

Keep your own counsel. Don’t get carried away by other people’s opinions.

Enjoy the little pleasures of life and be grateful for all your blessings.

Life is precious - don’t waste a moment on toxic people. Only surround yourself with nice people.

Don’t be embarrassed by or try to stifle your forthright and honest nature. Embrace it.

Do you love your job, and if so, what is it?

Don't try to have best grades in everything- you will know nothing and everything at the same time. You won't have time to pursue any hobbies, so you will end up as good student, but mediocre as employee.

Look at your mother's life objectively as well as listening to what she says. Act accordingly.

And it's actually OK to notice that she lived at a different time. Moral standards are much more contingent than people let on.

When men make odd comments about your sexuality, they probably aren't that disapproving. They're just a bit clueless.

Drink more water

You can’t wing life forever - get your head down.

Think about where you will actually live properly so you don't end up living in rental above noisy criminal perverts with dodgy businesses .
Realise that Surrey is really quite as bad as Hertfordshire in so many many ways.
Don't marry someone who is regularly and inexplicably nasty in the hope it was due to their childhood and they'll settle down.
Although you have always had a good figure, remember this can and will go South around 50 if you eat too much bread
Have a mid life crisis sex affair unless the person has some money and personal skills apart from sex
Assume your brother will always be there for you
That your Mother will always stay young
That there is no point in working in jobs that are too hard for you
Carry heavy shopping ever. It's not weights, it's not cardio.

To save not spend! So could have had a mortgage already.
Have all the dcs young. Was much easier with eldest and i was younger early 20s. Compared to mid 30s.

Especially love LillyOfTheMountain’s post.
Your parents’ advice is worth taking. They have a generation’s more experience of life than you and have your best interests at heart. (Accepted it’s my personal view.)
Overpay your mortgage if possible. It’s probably your biggest debt and can prolong your economically active life.
Retire as soon as you can.
Never worry about what others think of you.

Bully for you. You’re the exception not the rule.

Only surround yourself with people who make you feel good about yourself

When people are nasty/bitchy about you it says more about them and their insecurities than it does about you

and don’t get fat - it’s a pain to diet

also keep fit - even walking daily

The only person you can rely on is yourself. You're basically on your own.

When you get to 16, disappear, change your name and don't look back.

I wish I'd had known how much I'd love being a mum and would have had kids earlier and had 2 more!

Don't get married. No, REALLY DON'T!

Travel, enjoy life, have fun, take care of your friends. Worry less. Keep an eye on your health.

Do you mean don't carry heavy shopping? I read on the nhs website that it counts as weight lifting type exercise that you should do as you age. Is this not true?

Don’t trust anyone

Stand up for what you believe in. Don't compromise your values because it's easier. Once you have compromised it is harder to respect yourself.

Always have something in your life outside of work. It will give you friendships and an outlet when work is tough/boring or when it ends.

Don't expect perfection from everyone. Understand that people make mistakes sometimes or behave badly sometimes for a variety of different reasons. But know your limit so you aren't treated either too badly or one too many times. Accept that friendships offer different things and that's ok. That way you will have a better support network.

Even if you aren't in the mood to say hello or smile, always do. It can change someone's day and it can lead to forming friendships or links you don't expect. You are also teaching your child how to form social relationships and make their way in the world.

Write a will or a funeral plan so your family don't have to worry about what you would want when you have died. It takes the strain of decision making away.

Second piece of advice really resonated. Thank you.

Having done various types of career, I’d recommend picking something that pays well that’s alright over a vocation or something that you love that pays pennies as the money will cushion you if the shit hits the fan, as it often does.

If you’re going to marry, marry someone who is kind and makes you laugh and understands you’re a partner not their mum. It’s no life picking up after a fully capable adult.

You always look better than you think you do. Exercise and eat well for your health and wellbeing, not how much you weigh, your body will thank you for it.

Have a savers mindset, don’t spend all you earn, even if it’s only a pound. If you follow my first advice you’ll earn plenty anyway but you will get more from it if you make it work for you than if you blow it on consumer stuff.

Make time for the people and things you love and enjoy, don’t get sucked into a work/ drudgery cycle

When you work out he’s an Arsehole get out straight away and don’t waste the next ten years debating it

In fact try and work out he’s an Arsehole before marrying him and having three children would have been even better although I don’t regret the children for a second so maybe stick to the first plan!

Also renting long term is not a failure.

@SomethingFun what's an example of something that's alright and pays well?

Travel more, you can afford it, just learn how to do budget travel.

You're not fat, but keep an eye on your weight for long-term health reasons. And when you lose weight in your late 40s your face falls to the floor.

You CAN exercise, and you should. Join a gym or find something you like. Again, long-term health.

Do not put off going to the dentist. It will only cost you ££££ in the long run.

Do not waste your time with men who don't make you happy. Not even that one who drives you demented half the time.

All your friends are starting to buy flats. You could do that too.

Take, print and keep waaaaaaaay more photos.

Learn to cook.

Learn to drive, it will cost more than double if you leave it until you're older.

It's ok that you fucked up uni, it will all come good in the end.

Make an effort with your current group of friends so you don't drift away from them.

You were right about Steve.

Always wear SPF.

That dating, sex, relationships, marriage, kids are NOT a must.
I was so scared I had to force myself to do these things, I really hated getting older at that time because of this.
I had so much anxiety when I was young about these things, I thought I had to do all these things.
Who knew you can make your own choices. And be happy (and oh so free).
I wish asexuality would have been as known thing back then as it is now. Not that it’s well know, but with interner at least you can get some information.