I met my younger self

[Springiscoming112]

I've just seen this trend originally posted by Jennaececelia on Instagram.
I love it, made me really emotional because it made me think what I would say to my younger self as I've come along way in a positive way but it has not been easy.

Here's my version below and I'd love to see other peoples versions so feel free to post them 😊

I met my younger self for coffee at 11am
she was 15 minutes late
I was just on time
I wore my hair in a pony
her hair was down and long
I had my wide leg jeans on and she wore her skinny jeans

Her eyes filled with tears, she seemed lost and unsure
I told her that her life was about to change and she would be a mum soon!
She looked up and smiled briefly
I didn't want to tell her how tough the journey here would be.

She told me she hated her job
I told her to stay strong as we take a different path and she will love it.

We hugged goodbye and I told her to believe in herself because I knew she didn't right now.

I hope we meet for coffee again soon.

I meet my younger self in the bar at 1pm- a sunny Friday afternoon and he’s just finished work.
He’s greeted by a chorus of bleary eyed ‘hellos!’ from the regulars- his drink pouring before he had time to order it.

Brimming with confidence and anticipation of another ‘full on’ weekend of booze and partying, he happily sinks pints and smokes, regularly feeding pounds into the jukebox.

He looks good! Lots of hair! ..the life and soul. No worries or concerns about the future, living life in the moment. Nothing more important than the shirt he’s going to wear tonight and who might be out.

Surrounded by a pub full of regulars who all know his name and are pleased to see him. He's happy. Convinced he’s living his best life.

I didn’t have the heart to tell him in time he’ll feel completely grey.
Completely invisible.

He’ll stand in a room full of people and feel completely alone. Only existing in a life that everyone else is living.

No kids, unmarried, zero love life.. yearning to feel human touch again, my god, a kiss!

The same job for 30 years, no career.
A lifetime of waiting for something to drop in his lap has spectacularly failed to deliver.
The opportunities will be offered, but it’s always easier to say no- stick with what’s easiest.

The looks, such as they are, will fade- his value will drop. No one will pay him any heed as the treadmill of life slowly grinds the optimism to dust.

Those intrusive thoughts of suicide, once irregular, will become a daily occurrence. Once a black abyss- feared and trod carefully around in case you fall in, now they glow with the green effervescence of an ‘EXIT’ sign- an alluring and welcome escape.

I want him to listen to the 50-year old man warning him of how quickly life will pass him by; how he must not just seize the opportunities, but go out and create his own. Not get stuck in that comfortable rut that will become his cell, albeit one with padded sides..

He smiles, always polite, but of course not interested.. Just another boring old fart in the pub trying to impart his drink-sodden wisdom on a 25-year old with the whole of his life ahead of him.

I shake his hand and wish him well.

Oh God, this is a trend now?

Doesn't surprise me really.

@Motorhead75 that's really moving, what a fantastic piece of writing (sorry, not very good with words, just felt I had to comment).

My cringe is cringing. 😂

Ick

In fairness Motorhead's one is pretty good!

But yes in general, ick. What is it exactly that we're trying to explain in poetry here?

lol. ChatGTP nonsense

Oh my god, please make it stop. I have only seen one of these that was genuinely moving. The rest are just guff.

@catin8oots What?

I (nearly)met my younger self. That girl must of just walked about smiling all the time. Our paths crossed,both did the shuffle but opt same foot first so still cant pass.I felt my face absolutely light up and i beamed right back at her. Our eyes lockt in split second recognition,both did (inappropriaate loud) HA..!! then kept on walking-never lookt back.
There is NOTHING i could of told her-she always did her own thing,Learnt the hard way. KNEW to always get back up.
woulda just rolled her eyes anyway -ive been smiling ever since.

Anyone liking this kind of schtick will enjoy the film My Old Ass on Amazon Prime.

I met my younger self and she rolled her eyes at me, blew her racoon striped fringe off her forehead, told me I wouldn't get it and slouched off. Little bint.

No, it genuinely isn’t AI- I’m sure it would’ve made a better job!

..but you’re right- just nonsense.

I thought it was brilliant

It's so cringey and all the 'influencer' ladies doing it is just beyond ridiculous!

Twee self indulgent nonsense.

Oh god, if you don't like it, don't read it! Go on another thread. What's the need to bash the people who are doing it?

I’d just tell my younger to stop wasting money and stop wasting time on guys that don’t deserve me.

No, it isn’t nonsense. I think it was very emotive and I’m sorry you’re feeling like this

I agree

Motorhead75 It's not nonsense. You are a very good writer. I really enjoyed reading it.

I think people are being really mean.

I actually got emotional writing that because personally I've come a long way since when I was thinking about my younger self.

For people to say its stupid or cringe or ick. You are the ones who don't sound like nice people.

Too long. It would have more impact if you condensed it to about a third of its length.

@Motorhead75 , you should be a writer.

@Motorhead75
That's a very moving piece of writing.