If you could go back and talk to your 13 year old self, what would you say?

Question

I'm pretty sure most would agree that teenage years are HELL, but let's imagine for a moment that you could go back and pass on words of wisdom you have since gained in adulthood onto your teenage self...What would you say? And do you think your 13 year old self would listen?

(I realize that this question hardly applies to G&WS but the question board is so dead, i thought it couldn't hurt to add a little variety lol)

Answer 1

That the way to have the happiest life is to love yourself unconditionally. Unless you do you will never understand how to have a relationship with another. So many young girls look for that magic person who will make their lives complete, not realizing that happiness and serenity was theirs to begin with. We judge ourselves so harshly as women.

Answer 2

1. Do your freaking homework!
2. Spend more time with your father, you don't have much time left.
3. No, most mother-daughter relationships do NOT involve this violence.
4. Yes, you will eventually join the Army. Start working out now!
5. College is more expensive than you think.
6. Guys are easy to get along with now, but they become totally different creatures once you graduate high school.
7. Don't leave the Chevelle at home, even for that weekend.
8. When you're a freshman in college, GO TO CLASS!
9. Take Chemistry and Physics in high school, they'll help when you go Pre-Med. Don't waste the credit on Physiology; you know you already know it.
10. You're a good kid. Don't let anyone make you want to be anyone but yourself.

Answer 3

Well, I remember being very timid and shy at that age. But was boy crazy. So I would tell myself, stop being so boy crazy! There is plenty of time. But due to my timidness and shyness, I never did anything.

I would tell myself to be more confident. Things do not always seem as they appear. Wait on having kids, just a few more years. Travel, get your Masters, be more assertive in taking charge with your life. And heartbreak is not the end of the world. Enjoy your body before having kids. And you have been really good, do not forget that. You are on the right track and a really good student. Just watch out for your future. And do not worry, those boys who did not give you the time of day, will be eating out of your hands by the time you are 18 because you are going to be a knock out!

Answer 4

Nothing because I'd know fine well that my 13 year old self wouldn't listen to anything I had to say and would probably do exactly the opposite, and I really don't think I could be bothered to try and work out all the reverse psychology needed to make use of that. Besides which I turned out alright without any help from my future self, so I wouldn't want to risk messing anythign up.

Answer 5

That's a good question. I would never want to be teenager again. Those years were hell. The words of wisdom I would give myself is to be more nurturing to myself, meaning to talk kind to myself. I would remind me that these teenage years wont last for ever and I should make the best of it, do constructive and esteem-able things.To know that I have a choice to lay positive foundation for the rest of my life.

Answer 6

I would have told myself to stick up for myself more and not let the high school jerks get to me the way they did. There are some things one never recovers from.

I would also tell myself to work more on figuring out what I truly wanted to do when I grew up, instead of trying to make my parents happy. Take an aptitude test to figure out what I'm good at, and take it from there.

Answer 7

Good question!!!

I suppose I would say, " Worry more about your education and less about boys!"

13 was about the age that I started all the boy drama. Does he like me? Why did he kiss me? etc..

I don't think I would have listened though, but it would be weird to have the chance to speak to my 13 year old self!

Answer 8

13 was particularly hard for me...my parents divorced on my 12th birthday and i was responsible for my younger sisters and brothers 24/7...and my great grandmother who was my sole support died a horrible death to cancer, which back then wasn't treated properly to eliminate all of the pain...in addition to other things i'd rather not discuss...i don't know exactly what i would tell myself...i guess i would say: It is so important to take care of your siblings...just keep doing it...they are great little people and will do things in their lives to help others...
that way it would give me some support in what i was doing...seems the pain of that time doesn't go away...it fades...but continues...even after 31 years...so i would just give myself support...and i would have probably listened as i was desperate for any support at that time.

Answer 9

If I tried to tell myself about what society would become in the next 47 years, I doubt I'd believe me. I'd think I was insane when I started explaining the changes that would happen or that society would even view them as desirable.
You have to realize that I come from a time when divorce was a bad thing, fathers were not considered and treated like walking ATMs, abortion was murder and women were revered and rampant gender feminism didn't yet exist.

Answer 10

1) Stick it out in journalism.
2) Don't get married until your 30
3) Stay overseas a lot longer
4) You're wild, young and fun - go with it!

I would have loved the advice. It would have given me more conidence to do the things I thought I should....except forming an all-girl band in duplication of the Go-Go's :)