What would you tell your 18 year old self?

Steelheart7
Steelheart7 Posts: 1,056 Member
edited December 2024 in Social Groups
So .. I work at a school and it is graduation time. All the seniors are just dying to get out of "this prison" .. lol. It made me think of when I graduated and how differently I wish I would have done things had I known better .. or someone had bothered to tell me.

I would tell myself:

that I could actually do anything I wanted .. it doesn't have to be a "girl" job.
that you actually go to college to learn, not drink.
that my body really won't stay a size 6 all by itself.
that it doesn't matter what other people think. It really doesn't .. that my choices should be made to make me happy .. not others. (I still need to work on this one.)
that you really do need to learn to support yourself before you get married.
that I didn't have to say yes to the first man that asked.
that when it says take the pill every day .. it means take it every day.

What would you tell yourself?
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Replies

  • mrmanmeat
    mrmanmeat Posts: 1,968 Member
    So .. I work at a school and it is graduation time. All the seniors are just dying to get out of "this prison" .. lol. It made me think of when I graduated and how differently I wish I would have done things had I known better .. or someone had bothered to tell me.

    I would tell myself:

    that I could actually do anything I wanted .. it doesn't have to be a "girl" job.
    that you actually go to college to learn, not drink.
    that my body really won't stay a size 6 all by itself.
    that it doesn't matter what other people think. It really doesn't.
    that you really do need to learn to support yourself before you get married.
    that I didn't have to say yes to the first man that asked.
    that when it says take the pill every day .. it means take it every day.

    What would you tell yourself?

    Nothing, because it would alter where I am in life. And I'm happy where I'm at.
  • Roadie2000
    Roadie2000 Posts: 1,801 Member
    I would have said, "Cut your hair you freaking hippie." That and don't quit working out once you get to college.
  • Steelheart7
    Steelheart7 Posts: 1,056 Member
    Nothing, because it would alter where I am in life. And I'm happy where I'm at.

    Hmm .. there is nothing at all you would want to change.
  • ItsCasey
    ItsCasey Posts: 4,021 Member
    Strangely, I think I was wiser at 18 than I am now. Every decision I made back then was with my future in mind. That is so not true anymore. Not that I do stupid things. I'm pretty square. But I'm able to live in the moment more now because of the foundation I created at 18. I wonder if I'll look back in 20 years and wish that I had thought more about the future right now.
  • mrmanmeat
    mrmanmeat Posts: 1,968 Member
    Nothing, because it would alter where I am in life. And I'm happy where I'm at.

    Hmm .. there is nothing at all you would want to change.

    No, because I'm happy where I'm at.
    I'm not someone to look back and want to change.

    Why do that? there is no point. You can't change it. My life is good, my lady is good, so why would I want to change it?

    And who's to say if you changed it it would turn out for the better in the long run anyways?
  • NCTravellingGirl
    NCTravellingGirl Posts: 717 Member
    Wow, ok...

    I'd tell myself that it's OK not to get straight As... that grades don't really matter once you have the college diploma.
    That not getting straight As would have allowed more time to have fun... then I wouldn't have felt the need to go crazy in my late 20s, haha...
    That moving 2000 miles away from family does not escape the craziness and isn't worth missing out on family connection...

    And really embarassing myself here....
    That having any type of physical contact with someone while at work CAN actually cause you to lose your job so don't risk it for a great story to tell when you get old... what can I say, he was HOT and I was lonely (and he knew it!)?!!! Don't JUDGE me, haha!
  • MikeM53082
    MikeM53082 Posts: 1,199 Member
    Let's see.. I would tell myself the following:

    -Spend more time with Mom and Dad.
    -Do your best in college.
    -Dump Kelly. She's nothing but trouble.

    I could probably go on and on. lol
  • MissingMinnesota
    MissingMinnesota Posts: 7,484 Member
    Get laid, it isn't worth waiting for that one special person.
  • Steelheart7
    Steelheart7 Posts: 1,056 Member
    Let's see.. I would tell myself the following:

    -Spend more time with Mom and Dad.
    -Do your best in college.
    -Dump Kelly. She's nothing but trouble.

    I could probably go on and on. lol

    Love these .. especially the last one .. hahahaha!
  • Steelheart7
    Steelheart7 Posts: 1,056 Member
    Get laid, it isn't worth waiting for that one special person.

    WORD! lol
  • La_Amazona
    La_Amazona Posts: 4,855 Member
    Get laid, it isn't worth waiting for that one special person.

    And I would have said to my 18 yr old self.. sex right now isn't worth it! Wait!!!
  • oddyogi
    oddyogi Posts: 1,816 Member
    I would tell myself to not get married....twice! And to join the Navy instead of the Air Force! Lol jk. Love my AF. Navy just has cooler uniforms.
  • Steelheart7
    Steelheart7 Posts: 1,056 Member
    Nothing, because it would alter where I am in life. And I'm happy where I'm at.

    Hmm .. there is nothing at all you would want to change.

    No, because I'm happy where I'm at.
    I'm not someone to look back and want to change.

    Why do that? there is no point. You can't change it. My life is good, my lady is good, so why would I want to change it?

    And who's to say if you changed it it would turn out for the better in the long run anyways?

    I'm pretty sure with the things I want to change .. things could ONLY be better. lol.
  • Meghan0116
    Meghan0116 Posts: 1,237 Member
    I would tell myself to not get married....twice! And to join the Navy instead of the Air Force! Lol jk. Love my AF. Navy just has cooler uniforms.

    Nuh uh, they look like blue pajamas. lol
  • Meghan0116
    Meghan0116 Posts: 1,237 Member
    I would tell myself:

    Do not get more than one credit card!
    Do not let your boyfriend be the only one on all the bills!
    Save money, especially because you will be a bartender for awhile and will make tons of money!
    Don't stop playing sports!
  • mrmanmeat
    mrmanmeat Posts: 1,968 Member
    Nothing, because it would alter where I am in life. And I'm happy where I'm at.

    Hmm .. there is nothing at all you would want to change.

    No, because I'm happy where I'm at.
    I'm not someone to look back and want to change.

    Why do that? there is no point. You can't change it. My life is good, my lady is good, so why would I want to change it?

    And who's to say if you changed it it would turn out for the better in the long run anyways?

    I'm pretty sure with the things I want to change .. things could ONLY be better. lol.

    Not true. Never assume life can't get worse.
  • teamnevergoingback
    teamnevergoingback Posts: 368 Member
    I would tell myself to apologize to my parents and watch out for Ryan at all costs!!!!
  • 2stepz
    2stepz Posts: 809 Member
    1.) Trust your instincts, and the angel on your shoulder. She's watching out for you.
    2.) Learn better stress management techniques.
    3.) Learn to stand up to authority, use the free services of campus if you need to.
    4.) You can socialize without drinking... don't alienate yourself just to avoid booze.
    5.) Don't be afraid to be yourself.
    6.) Enjoy it while it lasts. He will betray you, but that's okay. He's not worth the heartache.
  • JudyL5305
    JudyL5305 Posts: 196 Member
    I love my life and where I am now but I might have said:

    1. Learn to breathe and let things go
    2. SAVE SAVE SAVE. Mom was right on that one again.
    3. No credit cards or only one
    4. Keep working out and don't give up
    If I had followed all that advice i'd be exactly where I am today but maybe would have learned it sooner! LOL
  • Daisy_Cutter
    Daisy_Cutter Posts: 774 Member
    I would shout "LISTEN TO YOUR GUT".

    That would be that... and then I'd start singing "Slow down, you move too fast, you've got to make the morning last
    Just kickin' down the cobble-stones, lookin' for fun and feelin' groovy..."

    Hopefully I would have gotten the hint. If not, eh... I didn't turn out that bad. I have some ROCKIN' children!
  • Daisy_Cutter
    Daisy_Cutter Posts: 774 Member
    I would have said, "Cut your hair you freaking hippie." That and don't quit working out once you get to college.

    I think you should post a photo of said hippie hair! LOL
  • MsSureWould
    MsSureWould Posts: 11 Member
    That those late night's of drinking & eating wings .... will catch up to me!
    That what I was worried about then -- won't even be a factor in life now!
    Not to hold back my thoughts and feelings because I was too worried what others would think!

    That it is OK to not know where you're going in life and how you're going to get there -- Enjoy It :)
  • Carl01
    Carl01 Posts: 9,300 Member
    This is going to sound weird to everyone but for me it would be to not try to keep the family farm going,the math just wasn`t going to allow it but by bull heading forward it set in motion a chain of events that has left me trapped there until now almost 30 years later.
  • Roadie2000
    Roadie2000 Posts: 1,801 Member
    I would have said, "Cut your hair you freaking hippie." That and don't quit working out once you get to college.

    I think you should post a photo of said hippie hair! LOL
    Ha ha not a chance :laugh:
  • Natx83
    Natx83 Posts: 1,298 Member
    Don't get a loan for your first car...

    Don't break up with your high school sweet heart because for the next 10 years she will just get hotter and hotter lol
  • Nerple
    Nerple Posts: 1,291 Member
    A few:
    "This year is going to suck, relax, it gets better around your 19th birthday"

    "Initiate more conversations with girls before it becomes intimidating"

    "You're going to do the same in college whether you relax and have fun or try hard so don't wait until Junior year to enjoy it"

    "Lay off the cheeseburgers for lunch and dinner everyday. Turkey Tuesday in the dining hall is awesome"

    "Keep going to the gym even if you think you stick out like a sore thumb amongst all the football players"

    "When your roommate loses his room key, make him get a new one unless you want to wake up from a nap to see Sketchy Dave jerking off over your bed."

    "Your entire group of friends is about to disintegrate rapidly, don't let it bother you and don't try to hold on to those friendships, only one will give a damn if you do or dont"

    "Dance More"

    "Go out and get some Clash, Social Distortion and Johnny Cash albums, you'll thank me later"
  • christine24t
    christine24t Posts: 6,063 Member
    1) Try to save more money to pay for college out of pocket.
    2) Don't stress so much about love and go with the flow.
  • Moe4572
    Moe4572 Posts: 1,428 Member
    "Stay at Uconn, even though the first years will be rough"

    But then, I never would have met my roommate and very close friend at WSC, and the would not have met her husband through me, and then where would their 2 kids be?

    So, I agree with Mack......wouldn't say much because the things that did happen shape the way life turned out.....even the pain of certain issues like divorce----still would I have not married him if I knew how it would end? Not sure....we were very much in love at one time...........so changing one little thing could change so much :)
  • mrmanmeat
    mrmanmeat Posts: 1,968 Member
    Don't get a loan for your first car...

    Don't break up with your high school sweet heart because for the next 10 years she will just get hotter and hotter lol

    pics? lol
  • poncho33
    poncho33 Posts: 1,511 Member
    I'm pretty sure I peaked from 18-24 so I guess I'd say "I'm jealous"
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