Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2

Original poster

To want to totally reinvent myself at 26?

31 replies

suchawimp · 06/07/2013 20:38

But have no idea how to go about it!

I am beyond shy, fat, unhealthy, minimal social life, zero fashion sense, spotty, unskilled, and miserable!

I basically want to throw away everything about me that I don't like and start over.

I think it might be a bit late after 26 years of getting to this stage but I really want to change.

I want to be healthy, happy, to look presentable, and to have a life and fun!!

OP posts:

parkin2010 · 06/07/2013 20:41

26 is no age, very young! Sit down tonight with a piece of paper, write down the things you want and google how to go about them :) don't be embarrased to change how you look, people will be complimentary not ridicule you (was always my fear when I was younger!) Good luck x

HotCrossPun · 06/07/2013 20:42

What do you enjoy doing?

You can change whatever you want to change and become healthier, but I think you need to start off by cutting yourself some slack.

Materfacit · 06/07/2013 20:44

Yanbu. It's perfectly possible, I am doing it myself at 31. It's slow progress with two DCs but with everything I get right it gives me such a boost of confidence.

Loopylala7 · 06/07/2013 20:44

Not at all. I constantly want to reinvent myself, go for it!

Doodledumdums · 06/07/2013 20:45

I am also 26 and feel exactly the same way that you do, you are not alone! I have spent the last week feeling pretty miserable because I just want things to be different and I don't know how they can be.

Sorry, no advice, but just letting you know that you aren't alone in feeling like this.

DodgyKnees · 06/07/2013 20:46

Definitely not too late!

I think you need to decide which of the changes you want to make will make you happiest.

For example, would getting fit help you meet people and make you more confident in yourself?

Would getting some training or further education help you meet people, get a better job, more money and thus more confidence?

If confidence is your biggest issue, why not join a local club or group, which would allow you to widen your circle of friends?

Do you need to follow fashion to make you more confident?

HacerCalorHoy · 06/07/2013 20:46

Maybe travel the world? A friend of mine came back from doing that and was a totally different, and vastly more confident person.

Bumbolina · 06/07/2013 20:48

No not too late! You don't need to change who you are - just need to give yourself a boost.
Ideas off the top of my head are:

Go to someone like 'colour me beautiful' have your colours done, and also book the session where they tell you what clothes suit your shape. Instant confidence boost although it can cost a few pennies the results will stay with you for years and years (and there are other companies out there that do the same sort of thing possibly cheaper).
Join a club which involves some kind of activity to keep you fit, and involves a social life therefore tackling two objectives at the same time... the two that spring to mind are sailing clubs, as you often have to join people for certain amounts of time meaning you get to know them.

Or some kind of band... like a samba band of steel drums - where you learn a skill at the group, but get the added benefit of a social life and group of friends when they go to do gigs etc. Both of these will take time, effort, and a little pushing yourself forward, but it can be done :-)

jeanmiguelfangio · 06/07/2013 20:48

Do it!!!!! I don't think it's ever too late- 26 or 126 (although logistically 126 could be more difficult to change) you sound ready, and from your post -what have you got to lose? Go for it. Change is a good thing! Good luck and enjoy it

AllegraLilac · 06/07/2013 20:49

Do you have a degree? Would one be useful? I remember university as the most formative part of my life, where it was impossible not to reinvent.

Choose a big city university, with a big mature student population and you'll be laughing!

Zynnia · 06/07/2013 20:51

You should. I think you're due a reinvention! and probably another one in your early forties!

fuzzpig · 06/07/2013 20:52

I feel similar... 26 and have lived with mental health issues most of my life. No idea what to do with my life (apart from continuing to bring up my awesome DCs of course :)). Last year I became ill with CFS/ME and feel totally trapped now.

But I also know that I am still really young!

meganorks · 06/07/2013 20:55

Yeah 26 is young - you have time to reinvent. But maybe you need to think about your positives as well as the things you want to improve. You need the confidence and commitment to make big changes.

Think about what you need to change to address the things you aren't happy with. Maybe try out some different sporting or exercise clubs. If you find something you like you might benefit from the social side as well as helping you so get healthier.

Eilidhbelle · 06/07/2013 21:17

Do it! I did this at 27, I took up running and got a new job, away from the one that was making me miserable, and me and DH bought a house. We're now expecting baby number 1! Best decision(s) I ever made. Good luck!

GeekInThePink · 06/07/2013 21:26

I'm doing this right now!
I joined some committees
I started a degree
I lost some weight
I wear clothes I like rather than what I think I should wear
I do more of what I like
I'm more fun I think, I just do more what I want when I want- like having a glass of wine on a week day if I want one ( although this is probably seen as a bad thing to some, I was always too up tight to do this. Now, heck I'm an adult! I can if I want too!)

I'm 26 nearly 27 go for it OP!

LimitedEditionLady · 06/07/2013 21:27

Im the same age and feel the same.Ive started with small steps.Im learning to drive and saving for a car to give me more independance cos I am a bit isolated.I dont like how I look so I am making small changes like my make up and hair and finding what look I want gradually.I am looking into a new career in which works my mind more and that will make me proud of myself but I am taking my time Im not going to rush into it.Rushing decisions and wanting it all at once makes you more fed up.At 26 we are not too old to change and not too young to trust our own minds.

GeekInThePink · 06/07/2013 21:28

( GeekInThePink always drinks responsibly)

GrendelsMum · 06/07/2013 21:29

26 is really young! You can make changes to your life at any time, as often and as much as you want.

I agree with the suggestions other people have made - join a samba band, learn to sail, take an evening course in something you're interested in...

GeekInThePink · 06/07/2013 21:30

Amen limited
">"

That last sentence I will remember.

sittinginthesun · 06/07/2013 21:32

I think it's a great age to go for it!

Get a great haircut and join a club that involves exercise - tennis, running club, dancing... you'll feel so much better.

Really excited for you.

trackies · 06/07/2013 21:34

you're not too old. 26 is very young. Go on OP you can do it.

MammaTJ · 06/07/2013 21:35

I am 45. 2 years ago I decided to do an access course. I have finished it. I am about to go to uni, as a flumpy mum of three. I have lost a stone since I heard and plan on losing a lot more before uni and even more before placements in February.

Do not tell me it is too late to reinvent yourself at your age, because I do not believe you. You believe what you like.

LimitedEditionLady · 06/07/2013 21:39

geekinthepink,26 is so inspiring!

GrendelsMum · 06/07/2013 21:41

Oh yes, you say your skin is quite spotty? I've found it's simply a matter of getting your GP to prescribe a variety of pills until you find the one that sorts your skin. I always had spots as a teenager, and as soon as the GP found the right pill, they just disappeared. Reappeared when I tried a different form of contraception, disappeared again when the GP found something appropriate.

In my experience, don't bother about face washes and all that stuff - it's the hormones that make the difference and now my skin is absolutely perfect.

LouiseD29 · 06/07/2013 22:02

Go for it, OP. I did something similar at 27 and remember being amazed that taking a few really decisive steps to change my life actually made a massive difference - ie. it worked!

You have to take a few risks and do some things that might scare the hell out of you at first, but it really can be done. Good luck!

Flip

1 2