to ask what you would tell your 20 year old self if you could?

[sherbetlemonD]

Just curious. You hear it all the time "if only I knew that when I was younger". Any pearls of wisdom?

You are beautiful. (Really there ought to be a charity that exists purely to tell young girls they look amazing.)
You'll make mistakes but you'll learn from them. So much so that you'll come in time to not regret making them. And there will be some horrible desperate times - and they actually make you a nicer person. Your mum thinks everything happens for a reason - which makes you roll your eyes. But she's right.
In just a few years you'll be invited to a party and you nearly won't go cos you're tired from working two jobs and burning the candle at both ends. Go. You'll meet the man you want to spend the rest of your life with.

Just bloody change degree courses, you don't like what you're studying and you won't like working in that field when it's all over.

Quit smoking, and stay quit.
Keep your weight under control. Do sports and don't put on more than an excess stone.
Don't settle for the first guy you meet. You can do better.
Have more self confidence. You're as good as anyone else.
Take your driving test and carry on until you pass your test.

You are not fat or stupid, he tells you that so that you don't get wise and look elsewhere.

Do not loose your phone. whatever you do. tattoo that number on your arm if you have to.

Don't compare yourself to others; you are doing just fine.

Family are more important than you think, make time for them.

Don't waste time with men that don't really care about you.

Go to the uni you really want, don't change your mind to please others. Get a diagnosis. Accept that having kids isn't a great idea for someone with your diagnosis. Have some self belief, you're not stupid!

Stop spending time with people that make you feel bad about who you are. Listen to what you really like to do, the people you genuinely like to be with, and spend time with them. Be true to yourself. You're ok as you are.

(I wasted an awful lot of time trying to fit in with people I didn't really belong with. What a waste!)

Mine is 18 actually but anyhow....

On the night you got invited to go out with a friend who was home for the weekend, DON'T GO!! Go to work instead as you were supposed to.

It was the night I met my ex-husband and my life would have been so different had I never met him. The only good thing is DS.

Also - don't squelch your needs in deference to people that have abused you. They don't deserve it. Hold your head high, and fuck the lot of them!

Don't play games in relationships...be honest about your feelings.

Wear sunscreen and stop using sunbeds you idiot!

Stop wasting money on crap.

Save save save. Don't waste ££ on pointless crap.

Agree with the, 'You're not fat'. The stupid girls who were calling you fat and making you feel worthless were jealous of your beauty.

You can't please everyone so stop trying.

You're going to figure out you're brilliant with numbers. Figure it out now so you can afford things before you're 30.

get some self respect and be proud of it, don't worry about standing out from the crowd.

You are good looking and other people think so too. Ditto thin.
Enjoy flirting.
Ditto partying.
Try to save a little bit of your wages as clothes and shoes are great but don't last forever.
Don't compare yourself to anyone - you are you and people like you for this.
Travel, work abroad, broaden your horizons. If he's the right man he will be waiting for you when you return.

Don't be afraid to push for more from people, don't be afraid to stand up to them.

Your dd is beautiful and the most important thing in your life (always has been always will) but get off your arse and get to uni and be the teacher you have always wanted to be.

When you graduate next year, aged 21, go get him back. He's the one. You both know that now, 20 years later

You are 10 x more attractive than you think

Blonde hair doesnt suit you. Stop trying to make it happen

There is a thing called 'too much fake tan'

Yes hes great in bed, but your dads right, he's an arsehole and he'll break your heart

Stop smoking!!!

All that money you're spending on clothes/fags/vodka/kebabs? Yeah...should probably save some of that :)

Save
Travel
Dont go back to exs. Theyre an ex for good reasons.
Be a good friend.
Try living abroad while still young and without responsibilities to anyone but yourself
Get fit amd stay fit

Buy a house but rent it for now and travel.

Start running, you'll eventually love it and become far fitter and healthier as a result.

You've only got a couple of years before you meet DH and he's a keeper!

Stop spending money you don't have. I am still in my overdraft day to day and I'm 33!

Enjoy your freedom whilst you can, it won't last long. Don't be guilted into looking after people, even if they are family, live your own life or you will seriously regret it. Also, that guy that turns up in a couple of years will honestly change your mind about settling down and having a family. Never regret having fun, but your friends are right - one day you will fall in love, and fall hard.

Just remember, it's ok to be selfish if it's for the right reasons, and don't give so much of yourself to people who have treated you so badly over the years. Oh, and that family member will sort themselves out, and turn out just fine, even if it looks bad now!

I'm only 22...

You are a talented artist. Don't listen to your dad and feel compelled to do an academic degree that you're not that passionate about.