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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:
BathshebaDarkstone · 07/03/2015 20:21

I would tell my 15 year old self not to try to be trendy, it's never going to work. Smile

fixedit · 07/03/2015 20:48

It will all be ok in the end.

Boswellox · 07/03/2015 20:56

These sort of threads should be used in schools for discussion, in conjunction with a male version, although a lot of the points raised would be relevant to both sexes nowadays I would think.

Timetoask · 08/03/2015 05:48

Get that nose job you desperately want!

fixedit · 08/03/2015 10:05

Oh also, don't get yourself into debt, it's a bloody arse to dig yourself out. The guy you think you love is a loser.
Don't let the mother back into your life again, she is going to leave you homeless and royally Fuck you over.

Rhihhare · 08/03/2015 10:36

You don't meet the love of your life when you are fifteen and it isn't your job to fix other people.

HoraceCope · 08/03/2015 10:55

dont smoke, you wont stop at 19 like you thought you would, you would still be at it at 49, well - vaping - but still.
work harder at school. follow your dreams.

alittleegglayonaleaf · 08/03/2015 14:26

"It’s dark because you are trying too hard. Lightly child, lightly. Learn to do everything lightly. Yes, feel lightly even though you’re feeling deeply. Just lightly let things happen and lightly cope with them. I was so preposterously serious in those days, such a humorless little prig. Lightly, lightly – it’s the best advice ever given me...
So throw away your baggage and go forward. There are quicksands all about you, sucking at your feet, trying to suck you down into fear and self-pity and despair. That’s why you must walk so lightly. Lightly my darling, on tiptoes and no luggage, not even a sponge bag, completely unencumbered."

depecheNO · 08/03/2015 14:50
  • Wash your face.
  • A little makeup goes a long way. Also, you can separate your eyelashes with a finger right after applying mascara.
  • Don't let yourself be exploited by X. You'll have an adoring boyfriend sooner than you know.
  • You can be liberal without being humourless.
  • It doesn't matter what people think; those older bands are a staple and it will soon be cool to like them anyway.
  • Dr Martens will come back around.
  • Cerazette will change your life. Ask for it sooner.
  • Don't waste your college years. Those people may seem great, but they're toxic and you don't need them.
  • Make the most of Dad.
FishCanFly · 08/03/2015 15:17

Don't wear a tracksuit top, shit-brown jeans and blue trainers together with your mothers's handbag. Just don't!

Bifauxnen · 08/03/2015 15:31

I was suicidal at 15 and tbh I'd tell myself to do it properly, you're neither use nor ornament, just get it over with.

Mabelface · 08/03/2015 16:28

Bif, that's very sad. You're worth far more. x

FruminariaBandersnatchiosum · 08/03/2015 17:09

I would tell myself not to confuse sex with love and therefore not to put it about as much. I had casual sex with innapropriate people and then, when I met persons who could have been 'the one', 'the one' found out that I had shagged X or Y and lost interest. I should have kept it to myself more basically and been more dignified generally. It's taken many years for me to work out what went wrong (that X or Y blabbed). I have seen this happen to friends too.
I would also have made more effort to get good career advice rather than the wishy washy crap I got at skool. I stepped on the wrong career path and it is now impossible for me to step off and change due to commitments I will have for at least the next 5 - 10 years.

DiaryOfAWimpyMum · 08/03/2015 18:59

Don't rush into finding the right man to marry, stop going out drinking, you're 15 not 18. Stick in at your job and don't take time off you will get a promotion. If you need to go to the Raves then watch what your taking they may alter your mind for good. Don;t get engaged at 17 and again at 20. Stay single for a while, plenty of time for that.

WhingeyMinge · 08/03/2015 19:20

I'd tell myself "when you turn 17 don't waste 7 years of your life on that arrogant self centred lying fuck wit"

Effjay · 08/03/2015 20:24

This school is not representative of the outside world. When you do get beyond it, you will meet a lot of funny, creative people with interesting thoughts and ideas who you get on really well with. Ignore the rugby players, they really are quite dull - there are a lot more interesting boys out there and none of them seem to be in this school.

ChristyMooreRocks · 08/03/2015 21:54

You know that girl. The girl who chose the same, completely out of he way secondary school that you had chosen to start fresh from primary school, because you were 'best friends'. The girl who then muscled in on every friendship you tried to make, who ditched you in year 8 for a 'new best friend', and is currently taking the piss out of you because you are the ugly and odd one out in a group of 7 girls that she is naturally the ringleader of. Who controls everything and makes you so unhappy that you follow her into bullying other girls (something that in years to come you will be ashamed of but she will never give another thought to).

Well.......

In 20 years time you will still actually be friends. But you will be much much happier and also a far nicer person, because she will only be on the very periphery of your life, rather than right in the centre of it. You will make a whole load of new lifelong friends in 6th form and she will be uncomortable because she will not be the centre of everything and she will gradually find a new group out of school.

You are not an ugly worthless piece of crap, and you certainly will not spend your whole life playing second fiddle to her, so don't worry!

Also, that 'copper' (ie. orange) eyeshadow that you love to wear from the makeup set from the Argos catalogue looks total shite.

Ahhhh, that feels better Smile

knackeredknitter · 09/03/2015 00:26

Tell someone the truth, they will believe you

TtipParty · 09/03/2015 07:21

There's a reason even the most attractive boys at school leave you slightly cold.

There's a reason you love one of your friends more than is considered 'normal'

That sense of injustice you feel about everything from being bullied to peoples homes being compulsorily purchased so a massive road being built - that's what makes you different - use it. And don't worry if your friends don't understand.

Musical tastes tell you nothing about a person's moral standards. Its as irrelevant as eye colour.

You'll need three decent a-levels to go to a decent university. Your parents don't get this.

Kiss some girls, you might like it!

sherbetpips · 09/03/2015 12:30

Stop being nice to horrible girls, dont smile and say hello to them and then feel hurt when they ignore you. they dont like you get over it.
Boyfriend cheating on you? Fair enough dump him you dont really like him that much anyway.
Dont give up on the singing/acting - office job can wait
Have a bit more fun, flirt more and be irresponsible once in a while.
You will get older/fatter/slower enjoy how great you look

Kvetch15 · 09/03/2015 12:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

HootyMcTooty · 09/03/2015 14:51

Stop caring so much what other people think of you.

Don't start smoking, you'll regret it for the rest of your life.

Don't believe every boy who tells you he loves you.

SteveBrucesNose · 09/03/2015 16:56

He's a prick. It doesn't matter that he's older with a six pack. He's still a controlling prick

Also if you actually put work in, you might actually do as well as you could I did well but should have done better

Oh and you won't always be able to eat what you want and not get fat I'm not bitter, oh no

WaitWhatOh · 09/03/2015 18:00

Dear fifteen year old me,
Don't turn everything down at school because you want to work with horses. Get a proper job and ride horses. Whole different thing Sad

Lovemycatsandkids · 09/03/2015 18:31

Go to uni.