What would you tell your 16 year old self?

[LadyJaneGreyspen]

Mine would be you won t believe the future. . and err dont let your mate bleach your hair.

Travel while you have no commitments- even though it’s daunting. Also - don’t go into accountancy you will hate it!

Take an A-level in computer science.

When you go to uni, take a course in Women's Studies while they still exist.

Have that fling. Enjoy it for what it is. But STAY SINGLE.

When you are 18 you will meet a man (boy) called Mike. Don’t bother wasting your time with him work on your Uni degree instead.

Buy a house in your early 20s, I know it will seem crippling expensive but trust me you will regret it if you don’t.

You currently believe you are fat and ugly. Trust, me in 30 years time, you will wish you still looked as 'fat' and 'ugly'. What you look like in any case has zero bearing on who will want to have sex with you. Demand that whoever you sleep with makes sure you have an orgasm too. It is not 'unladylike' to want sexual satisfaction. Do not put off going to see The Big Lebowski because it looks weird.

Don't take him back
Finish college
Go into the vocation you want. Don't let anyone's emotional blackmail stop you.
Buy a house as soon as you can. On your own.

But then, if I did this, I would never have met DH, had DS, got the job I'm doing now....butterfly effect.

Be very, very careful who you choose as father of your DC. Remember the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. If DH is too fond of alchohol, unambitious, depressed, bad tempered, chances are that DC will be too.

The people telling you that being this age is the easiest or happiest part of your life are incredibly wrong. Hold on. It gets so much better later. You are not a failure and none of those things were your fault. You will have a job. You will buy a house. It isn't over.

Yes, dropping out of school was the right decision. Don't feel bad. You did the right thing, even if nobody else thinks so. Life isn't a conveyor belt and you don't have to be 'normal.' It doesn't mean that you're stupid, either. When the time is right, you'll have a Cambridge scholarship, and you'll write about the damage the school system can do to people like you.

It's okay to be who you are.

PS: You can use public transport. Get a Walkman and bring a book. It's less of a sensory nightmare that way.

Get yourself the best education that you can.

Stop being so scared of life
You are beautiful
Don't trust men

Have more confidence, believe in yourself, stand up for yourself, don't let anyone put you off from achieving your dreams.

Remain as you are an ardent feminist from even before sixteen. But let the labels given to you and comments hurt less. Be proud your called those names because you were making a difference.

Myself and other girls were severely reprimanded for forming a women's rights group when we were 12 at school. I'm immensely proud of us now it was in 1978.

You are a person in your own right who deserves to be treated with love and respect.

Having a boyfriend is not the be all and end all, don’t rush to settle down.

Travel and enjoy your life! Follow your dreams and passions.

Your mother can be an asshole but she’s hurting too. Don’t believe what she says to you. You are brilliant and you need to believe it.

The bullying days aren't behind you.
Stand up for yourself and don't let anxiety stop you enjoying life.
Lastly you'll think your world is ending it isn't it's just making way for something better. I promise.

Move your savings to your own bank account, move out as soon as you can, and stay single.

Don't waste the next 2-3 years fucking about with make-up. You don't like it now. You won't like it then. You'll never like it. Better just to stop putting on now than spending the next couple of years shitfuckpisswanking to yourself about eye liner and mascara before you eventually say "Not for me. No more."

Repeat a year at school - concentrate on your education.
Stop smoking.
Distance one or two of your "friends".

It's all going to be ok. It really is. The best is yet to come. Have a lot of fun.

But don't be such a bitch when you dump your first long-term boyfriend!

Don't think you don't need feminism just because you are young and pretty.

give people a chance, don’t be so judgemental and snooty.

Leave school and go to college.

At 16 I was living in a hostel with my baby. My family had pretty much disowned me and things were looking rather bleak. 25 years later I can’t believe what we went through! I’d tell myself that things will get better, to not give up hope and to trust the people trying to help.

16 in a hostel with a baby. Goodness, that is hard. However did you manage? Some kids can't even turn on a dishwasher at that age.

Avoid a man called X with bad teeth and a big nose. He isn't fun and "different". He's an abuser. He will nearly break you and it's not worth the years.

Also - high heels are a lie.

Also - don't die your hair.

Also - wait for Sidekick .... he will love you very much. And your girl.

Also - don't sweat the wrinkles you'll still get old but you'll have laughed more

Also - buy a bike. Ride it every day.

Also - when the first man tells you he's a woman ..... go and find the Radfems immediately. Do not pass Go. Do not stop in at "What Harm Can It Do Inn". Go directly to "When's the march? Let's nip this cray cray in the bud."

It's ok to be happy. You deserve it. It's ok to be angry. Show it. You are ok. Don't go on a diet, it will lead you 20 years of your life being ruined by eating disorders.