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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:
FuturePerfect · 26/02/2015 21:48

When that car pulls up, keep walking.

Whichoneisit · 26/02/2015 21:52

I'd say 'stick with him, he's the one'.

He was/is but it took me a marriage to someone else and two kids to realise it.

BobbyGentry · 26/02/2015 22:05

Cherish friends, listen to your inner voice &, hold on, it's only going to get better.

IsabellaofFrance · 26/02/2015 22:10

Don't worry about being individual and different, you are fine just the way you are.

The next 2 years are going to be tough, but you will survive and it will help you build the foundations of future happiness.

Dont get attracted to the loud, gobby boy, he will treat you badly. The quiet, shy one will become the love of your life and you will be truly happy for the first time.

ByeByeButterfly · 26/02/2015 22:14
  • Stop behaving flirtatiously to every bloke because you want to be liked as it's not the right way to be liked
  • Don't let him into your life again you'll only regret it until you are at least 25!
  • Concentrate on choosing a career or field you really want to go into. Don't let anyone else put you off, unless it's too unrealistic
  • Don't ever let someone make you feel like you don't have a choice / you can't say no because they are wrong
  • You deserve respect and anyone who says otherwise deserves to be run away from very fast
  • Have fun and do try new things - just be safe, be sure it's what you want to do and know what will happen if it goes tits up!
dimdommilpot · 26/02/2015 23:19

Them trouser skirts you insist on wearing every day look fecking stupid!!!

CastielsClevererBetterSister · 26/02/2015 23:25

Size 14 is not fat.
Start writing down your stories.
Just relax and don't take life so seriously. It's going to be stressful enough when you're older...take this time to be young.

Iliveinalighthousewiththeghost · 26/02/2015 23:32

I'd simply play her the song little me. That song is so fitting to my appaulingly shy self conscious nerveous teenage self.

Iliveinalighthousewiththeghost · 26/02/2015 23:34

I would say though as well. Little ghost stop putting that white color correction cream on your face, sweetheart. You actually look like a ghost

Pointlessfan · 27/02/2015 06:16

Research careers properly instead of going into teaching because it's the first thing you think of.
Let mum teach you how to sew, in your mid 30s you will wish you could.
You might not want DCs now but you will have one in your mid thirties and you will love her more than you ever thought possible. Then you will want to have more but worry you are getting a bit old, so start thinking about kids earlier.
Don't waste so much money partying in your twenties, you could have a much smaller mortgage instead!

toothypeg · 27/02/2015 06:25

Anorexia is about to almost kill you.

It's OK to admit that you need help.

HalfSpamHalfBrisket · 27/02/2015 06:42

Yes, you can get As in exams without studying, but it will really help later on in your education (and life) if you learn how to knuckle down and put the hours in.

Your parents are not bad people, but you need to learn a different mindset and communication skills or you will fuck up your first 20 years of relationships by repeating their mistakes.

VerySlightly · 27/02/2015 07:18

I would say:
Life is going to get a lot harder. Your Mum will sink into a crippling depression and you will not talk to your Dad. Your first boyfriend will be a compulsive liar and just bad news. But you are strong and you will get through it.

You will be stubborn, lonely and tired and make loads of mistakes and again you will get through it.

Then you will find happiness and after more heartbreak and tears and a loss of faith, you will be a Mum. Then you will experience real exhaustion but also a new type of happiness.

PisforPeter · 27/02/2015 08:01

Don't worry about exams too much, academic success does not necessarily give you a happy life. Just chill!

momb · 27/02/2015 08:02

Stop worrying and start doing. Develop your work ethic now or you'll spend your entire life struggling. Just do what needs to be done to the best of your ability before you do the other stuff.
Take pride in doing your best. Don't look for others approval. Your lights are spot on, and you will always be your own harshest critic, so learn to be pleased with your own efforts.
Stop waiting for a compliment from your Mum. You won't get one until you are over 30 at which point you'll realise she's been proud of you all along. Just learn to give yourself that feeling.
Oh, and understand that life goes in peaks and troughs: when you are having a tough time know that if you just keep going it will pass.
..and stop squabbling all the time with your brothers. It must be agony for your Mum.

elizadofuckall · 27/02/2015 08:23

Don't panic. Your world is about to turn upside down but you will be ok.

You are strong and will only get stronger.

That job you get when you are 18... Don't leave it... It's a great job and made for you.. Whatever happens... Don't leave.

ThatBloodyWoman · 27/02/2015 08:59

Its ok to take the road less travelled.

BeautyQueenFromMars · 27/02/2015 11:01

Don't make a decision now that will affect you for the rest of your life.

PavlovtheCat · 27/02/2015 12:03

I just asked DH this question. He said it would be pointless saying anything to his 15 year old self, as he wouldn't listen. So, he guesses, he would therefore probably tell him to listen more to the advice of others Grin but wouldn't be hopeful of any change.

vladthedisorganised · 27/02/2015 12:11

You are not fat, in fact you are dangerously thin. Eating is not a crime.
Try running. You'd be surprised how much you like it.
It's OK to be picky; it's OK to have male friends; whatever the Queen Bees say.
Don't throw out all the things you write. Yes, some of them are crap, but a lot of them aren't.
Learn to rap. You'd be quite good at it.
And the next time the dreadful family along the road asks/tells you to babysit "because vlad would far rather be sitting in with little Hollie-Anne instead of hitting the town and the Bacardi Breezers like our Nicola", demand an exorbitant fee....

MrsGuyGarvey · 27/02/2015 12:17

Work hard at school, choose better A levels and go to University. Don't be scared.

Creeturefeeture · 27/02/2015 12:21

Don't buy that packet of silk cut

Idontseeanysontarans · 27/02/2015 12:39

It turns out that the lad who constantly rips the piss out of you in class actually thinks you're quite sweet, if a bit odd. If you tell him to STFU and back off he will.
Revise! You can do really well in your exams if you put your head down and get on with it.
A levels aren't for you, don't be pushed into them. You know what you want to do - you'll waste months doing stuff that's of no use to you because you're listening to the wrong people.

ReallyBadParty · 27/02/2015 13:17

Your parents will never really like you no matter what you do, so go your own way now.

Travel while you have no responsibilities

You will want babies so crack on and have them before you're too old.

You are slim, wear what you like and don't worry

quietbatperson · 27/02/2015 14:34

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.