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MNHQ

What would you say to your 15 year old self?

379 replies

CatherineHMumsnet · 25/02/2015 16:50

Mumsnet's 15th birthday is fast approaching (what'll we WEAR?). And that put those of us at MNHQ to thinking - if, by the magic of some time travelling device, we could speak to our 15-year-old selves - what words of wisdom would we impart?

OP posts:
maplebaconchips · 04/03/2015 12:33

Don't try and please everybody else, be true to yourself.

Skeppers · 04/03/2015 12:33
  • Don't worry so much about what other people think of you and don't let it influence your decisions. They're all too busy worrying about themselves to really care!
  • Take up that offer of a place at Performing Arts college; they've recognised your abilities, don't let a sudden lack of self-confidence and worth put you off and force you down a path you don't really want to be on. Your talent won't last forever if it's not nourished and you'll end up in a boring office job having wasted all that promise and potential and never really pluck up the courage to try again.
  • Don't hook up with strange men you meet online, no matter how 'nice' they seem...
  • Join a gym, start running. I know you hated PE at school, but you'll enjoy it MUCH more than you think and relish the challenge.
partialderivative · 04/03/2015 16:18

Put it back.

BreakingDad77 · 04/03/2015 16:36

Have a proper talk to your dad, as otherwise it never happens, you get frustrated, and then years later when your ready, its too late as he's lost his marbles. Sad

wispywoo1 · 04/03/2015 19:49

Go to the extra maths classes so you can do the higher paper. Not because you should be a maths teacher (DON'T DO IT!) but because you're actually quite good at maths.

Stick with Science for your A-Levels. You'd make a really good pharmacist or something along those lines.

Don't let your best friend drift away. She won't be friends with those girls after college and it will be too late. But you will keep in touch.

You're right, those wasters in school will still be wasters when they're 25.

Your dad is proud of you - he just doesn't show his emotions. Stop giving him grief.

shabbs · 04/03/2015 22:50

The boy that you fell in love with two years ago - you will be together until you are 17 - you will love him with a passion that you will never feel again (except with the four sons you are going to have), you will adore him...which is a much bigger word than love. He will be the first boy you ever sleep with....the first boy for everything. Just before your 17th birthday he will 'finish with you.' He will let you go all the way to his house....he will be sat on the wall at the bus stop and he will say - 'I dont love you anymore and I want us to finish.' Your heart will be broken into a thousand pieces that will never, ever all 'join up together' again.

You will carry on living - as hard as it may seem. You will marry a man and be married for a long time.....you will have four amazing sons with him - two of those boys will die and your heart will break apart again.

BUT there will be many happy times. Shabba - take a deep breath, jump in to your life with both feet and carry on holding your head high.

Oh yes - and sometimes life is a total crock of shite!!!

shabbs · 04/03/2015 22:54

Oh yes......and P.S. - dont leave it until you are 45 to discover 'heaven on Earth.' A Greek island called Rhodes. amazing people, hot sunshine and a totally different outlook on life!!!

Theimpossiblegirl · 04/03/2015 23:10

School is not forever. When you get to sixth form college you will have lots of friends and be fabulous!

GiddyOnZackHunt · 04/03/2015 23:48

Of all the men you shag - this is one of the most trustworthy and sensible.

GiddyOnZackHunt · 04/03/2015 23:55

*It will take tech longer than you think to do what you hope

It took me 12 years to find someone who was your better.
And most of all, you have something called Aspergers. Nobody gets what that is but one day you will understand that you aren't failing. You're doing well at being an Aspie in an NT world. Go you!
And don't fight the lure of IT - it's what you do :)

bimbobaggins · 05/03/2015 07:06

You are slim. Enjoy being slim. Dont start going on diets that you will be on for the next 28 years ending up fatter than ever. And dont ever loose your self belief.

BikeRunSki · 05/03/2015 07:15

Stop squeezing your spots!

Don't give up swimming.

Appreciate your dad, he'll only be here a few more years.

You are your own person, you don't have to be exactly like your brothers,

Littlefluffyclouds81 · 05/03/2015 12:18

Move away from the Sun-In...

lottieandmias · 05/03/2015 15:25

Work really hard in your GCSEs and A levels it may not seem like it now but it will be very much worth it in the end.

Don't get into relationships with men who have obvious character flaws simply because you feel you can save them.

AskBasil · 05/03/2015 16:16
  1. You will listen to Radio 2 when you're in your 40's and you won't want to kill yourself for doing so, or even think you deserve to die.
  1. Go to counselling while you're at university. You do need it, it's not a waste of time, yes you have been adversely affected by your childhood even though you don't feel you have and it's something you must do if you don't want to squander your youth. If you don't, you'll have to wait until your forties to be free.
  1. Don't ever be alone with PT's brother. He's a rapist.
Gavlarrr · 05/03/2015 21:32

Don't squeeze your spots!
Sleeping with boys won't make them like you, especially when you do it in park bushes ??

DuchessDisaster · 06/03/2015 09:15

Try not to wait until you are 30 before discovering your strengths and weaknesses.
Find an occupation that you can engage in and find satisfying.
Do not bother getting married, it is not the be all and end all.
Do not wait until you are 45+ to find your style and make the best of yourself. Definitely do not hide your light under a bushel!
Keep on cooking and playing musical instruments for fun.
Dump anyone, female or male, who drags you down.
Stop procrastinating, never put off until tomorrow what you can do today.
Have a clear idea of what you want to do and where you want to go.

juneau · 06/03/2015 09:28

TBH I doubt my 15-year-old self would've listened a damn word of advice! But just in case she did:

  • apply yourself to your studies RIGHT NOW
  • go and join the choir
  • stop smoking - it will give you wrinkles as you get older
  • being nice is not a sign of weakness
  • your life is going to turn out just fine
  • its okay to say no, just have a little self-respect
juneau · 06/03/2015 09:31

3. Don't ever be alone with PT's brother. He's a rapist.

Flowers
Smooshface · 06/03/2015 09:37

Work hard at uni, getting drunk and playing cards will be around forever
Join weight watchers if you are struggling with your weight
Don't worry about your current relationship, it is not the be all and end all, your true love is still to enter your life
Don't get so drunk, you miss out on so many memories

cottageinthecountry · 06/03/2015 12:32

Trust your instincts.

Don't tie yourself to other people but take care of good relationships and kind people.

You are NOT fat, you are beautiful, that's why people look at you. Smile back and bask in it.

There's nothing wrong with wanting to compete. Learn to speak posh, it gets you further than qualifications. Never say 'I forget, I dunno, know what I mean', knowledge is important.

Go to Uni at 18.

teddygirlonce · 06/03/2015 13:39

Yes work hard for GCSEs and A levels. Give boys a miss until you've got school out of the way. Make the most of your figure while its at its best. But most importantly don't angst about what other people think!

MrsGrimes · 06/03/2015 13:51

Stop talking to your arsehole, cheating boyfriend. He will never change and you will spend the next 3 years in a crying mess because he keeps cheating on you. He gives you trust issues and lowers your expectations for future relationships. Tell him to fuck off and focus on your friends.

Once he's out the way, put your head down in school. You end up with 3 GCSEs and working minimum wage retail jobs for your entire career. Your dream of teaching art is gone because you can't even get on the course! So buckle down and do your bloody work!

Kez100 · 06/03/2015 14:51

Those bitches and cool A girls will tell you the truth at your 30th reunion - they were actually jealous that you worked hard. They will have some dead end job and you will have a career.

littleomar · 06/03/2015 19:45

Your skin will still be shit at 40 but you will find a man who is interested mainly in your bum, which is pretty good.