If you could, what would you tell your younger self?

[recklessruby]

Found a photo of me and my best friend age 15 taken at school 1983.
We look so serious and I remember it was a really worrying time.
So if I could talk to my teenage self I would tell her....

1. You are not ugly. The fact you wear a train track brace on your teeth doesnt define you as a person. Ignore Susan and Karen, they are bullies who will fail their exams.
2. Stop watching the news. It's alarmist and a nuclear bomb is not going to drop on the school while you are in history class. Nor will an asteroid collide with earth while you sleep.
3. Some day a boy WILL like you but sadly not the cool American boy in the sixth form (he will break your heart when he goes back to America before you ve exchanged more than a few hellos).
4. You will allowed in the staff room years later when you come back as a teacher. It's not that exciting.
5. Your best friend will still be close to 37 years later. So what would you say to young you if you could?

In late 2019 invest in a company called ‘zoom’....

...or prior to that, in 'Amazon'...

Don’t let yourself get fat.

Dont eat as much cheese and have the courage to leave them when they treat you like shit - you are worth more.

Relax. Nothing is as bad as it seems.
He isn’t worth the tears (none of them are!).
You aren’t fat.
You’re far smarter than you think you are.
Keep being silly and keep those people who make you laugh until your stomach hurts in your life for as long as possible.

Never diet to avoid messing up your metabolism and take up Pilates sooner. Otherwise, generally decent choices made on the big decisions

Look after your health.
Don’t be afraid to say “no” to people.
Cut toxic people out of your life.
Save, save, save.
Don’t marry a man with kids.

Nothing. Or you are lovely, just the way you are.

Don't listen to your mother.

Exercise much more while you're young enough for it to be enjoyable rather than an effort
Stick to your first choice of career
Your heart which you thought had been broken by X will heal

The first time a man shouts at you tell him to fuck off and never see him again.

To like myself

Leave your hometown as soon as you can.
Go away from home to university.
Don’t let other people make you feel guilty.
Be more selfish.
Watch your weight.

To exercise consistently and watch your weight

That you are worth it, and you deserve the best

That sometimes people are meant to teach you a lesson, even if it is a hard one

Emigrate to New Zealand before 2020.

Believe in yourself. No one else will or does, so you might as well.

There is a difference between self esteem and confidence, all that time developing your confidence will be wasted if you don't recognise your own value and demand others do as well.

I think the good weight habits and exercise are good ones, I wish I had made the habit when I was younger.

But the single main one for me is stay away from

Nothing. Anything that I was able to tell my younger self would have altered my older self and ...... I quite like me

Also, I never wanted the wisdom of a 50 year old when I was 20. That's just not how it's meant to be.

Your mum is not your friend, stand up for yourself and don’t waste years of your life trying to please her.

Your father IS abusive and this isn't normal or your fault, no matter what your family says. Hit him back and tell a teacher and the police.

Get out sooner, you're not responsible for his failing health. Move somewhere closer to a gym and go there very often.

Wear vintage style clothes. They will fit you better than that shit.

When people tell you that you are too old for your years, believe them - and have some bloody fun. The only unattractive thing about you is what you’re projecting, and you won’t change that with diets and hairstyles.

I would tell myself to wait, that time flies and though two years seems like a lifetime when you are a teenager, it is soon gone. All I ever wanted to do was leave home and that occupied my thoughts day and night. I also ran away from home. Of course it didn't work. Looking back, had I been able to still my mind and be as content as possible until I was seventeen, I'd have been able to leave home quite legally if I could support myself.

1. you're raging teenage hormones will calm down eventually
2. your parents don't tell you no or what to do to be annoying they honestly want and know what's best for you
3. You're not stupid don't believe any teacher who tells you this.
4. just because your mum and sister are a diffrent shape and slimmer size doesn't mean your fat and unattractive.

My mum had the photo albums out over Christmas and I couldn't believe how lovely I looked when I saw a photo of myself at 15 when my confidence was at its lowest.

Save more money.