What would you say to your 20 year old self?

[Prontehpronto]

Hey, with the benefit of hindsight what would you tell or advise your 20 year old self?

Depression doesn't last forever

that your first heartbreak will feel like your world has ended, but really it is just the beginning 🩷

Don't marry him to please your mother.

Don’t ever settle.
pull your finger out and concentrate on your degree.
Start exercising. You’ll need to when you’re older and it’ll be easier to start now.
Stop smoking. You know it’s a stupid habit. It’s going to kill your dad before he reaches retirement age.
Don’t opt out of your pension.
Spend more time with your favourite sibling. No, more than that. You will lose them far too soon and it will break your heart.

Mind you, I probably wouldn’t listen. Except to the last one.

Don’t go out with a guy just because he asked. Be choosy. Work on your confidence and talk to the guys you fancy.

Hang in there kid. It’ll get better.

You are not fat and wear sunscreen

Save as much as you can at every opportunity.

Don't get married and give away your independence.

Travel abroad whenever you get the chance.

Don't take any fucking shit from anyone.

Buy Apple and Amazon shares.

Love and hate are 2 sides of the same coin, embrace the power of feeling neither.

Have fun but try and save some money
Speak to your sibling because they will be gone in a years time
Enjoy the 90’s, it only gets worse from here 🤣

Stop breaking your heart over that Italian chap. It will ruin your BA uni experience and he's gay anyway.

Your desire to leave your home country and live and work abroad is the very best thing you can do. You will have 10 fabulous years and then meet the love of your life and marry him. (this is with a 21 year hindsight).

FFS stop worrying about your weight. Your family have really done a number on you. Stop the bulimia now and focus on health. Don't wait.... um.... another 21 years.

Dont drink your feelings away.

Stay close with your proper friends. Even if it's a text or two and you really ought to get facebook for the same reason earlier than 2014.

Don't forget to have fun.

By the way- you are funny, and strong and smart and you deserve to appreciate yourself rather than scrabbling for approval like a puppy looks for attention.

Raise your standards. Don't get married.

When you get pissed at that work do, and get dropped off home in a taxi by that guy you've always fancied, snog him, because he actually wants you too but he's too worried that you're pissed and he's taking advantage. It will save you both decades of grief and crap and abusive marriages and expensive divorces.

Just a few;

Being a people pleaser destroys your soul, NEVER do that

Do not put the key to your happiness in someone else's pocket.

When someone shows you who they are, believe them

Ensure that all the significant people in your life know how much you love them

Go to Uni
Don't introduce the love of your life to your best friend.

LTB.
I stayed with the B in question for another decade.
Huge mistake.

Don’t worry so much about everything, Especially what people think about you.

Stick to your guns and don’t take any nonsense from your mother.

Spend time with your loved ones because they will be gone before you know it and you will miss them forever.

I’d LIKE to say ‘Do NOT marry him, get out now’.

But then I wouldn’t have my son and I wouldn’t want a life I didn’t have DS. So I’d say ‘start squirrelling money away somewhere and leave when you can- you can do it, you’re stronger than you know. You don’t have to live like this’.

Thank you OP, I found that cathartic.

Spend much more time with your parents - they'll be gone very soon.
Don't marry him.
Sort yourself out.

Don’t marry him (me too!)

You will have children despite everything that is currently wrong with your health, so please don’t waste your 20s feeling depressed about your situation.

Grab that job opportunity that comes your way soon.

Please start paying into a pension NOW.

DO NOT GO INTO TEACHING!

Take the time to work out what you actually want to do with your life and what will make you happy long term rather than just keeping your options open.