What advice would you give to a younger version of yourself?

Question

If you could travel back in time to a period in your OWN life, when and what advice would you give to yourself to improve how you were now?

(Not taking into account paradoxes :P)

Answer 1

Well, I doubt if my reply will win any best answer but I'm going to be completely honest here.

I've been for many years both a pretty good artist and writer. But for a period of maybe twenty years or so I did very little with these gifts. I would paint a painting every now and then, write a story every now and then. Then get discouraged when a story got a rejection slip from some magazine or I didn't sell any art in a show. When getting discouraged I would put off doing either and focus on many other interests.

It wasn't until about ten years ago that I said the hell with worrying about getting recognition and focused fully on my creative talents. I started creating art for it's own sake.

My major regret is that I didn't start doing this many years before. And if I let myself think about it enough it saddens me to think about all the paintings I could have done or all the stories, plays, poetry, etc. I could have written during those years.

Answer 2

Take a government union job.

I tried a union job once and was so depressed by being told to look busy, slow down, don't do your job that fast, you're making us look bad, we don't stay late, that I got out fast. I erroneously believed that working hard would equal success.

Had I only realized the stupidity of my actions, I would now be within 5 years of retirement (I'm 40) and I would never have had to go into massive debt for medical bills my insurance doesn't pay. I would have already sucked well over a million dollars from the taxpayers, would have enjoyed massive paid time off, would have 6 weeks (or more) vacation, could have had my education paid for and wouldn't be sitting up trying to figure out how I am going to keep a roof over my head.

So, that is the advice I would give myself. Shut up, lose your pride, forget doing your best and go along to get along. It would have been worth millions, and all on the working man & taxpayer's backs.

How stupid am I?

Answer 3

Watch where you are going!!!!! I ran through a glass patio door, when I was 14, before they had safety glass. It changed the whole course of my life. It was before they did physical rehab. I would be an active, physical person, instead of sitting in this chair writing answers on Yahoo! I would have a full-time job instead of partial disability.

Bottom line though, I'm glad I can't do that. All I've been through has made me who I am. If I'd been so active, I might not have realized my need for a relationship with God and I might be out raising h*** like my brother did. They were both dead before age 51!

Answer 4

No matter what,
and I mean

*no*
*matter*
*what*,

choose education over pursuit of or prolonging a relationship.

Maybe after you have a post-graduate degree, at that point a relationship *may* be a thing to give some priority, but until you have degrees in hand, you only stay in a relationship while it's fun and no work.

No exceptions.

Answer 5

First, i could tell myself that as quickly as i bypass to Burger King, do no longer order 2 whoppers, onion jewelry, greater super soda, and a shake, and then get slightly chocolate pie. i do no longer think of i mandatory the pie! 2nd, i could take up a profession that i'd desire to apply and make a stable earnings no remember the place I lived, even Michigan! Nursing could be a stable selection. 0.33, i could have by no potential spent plenty money on cassette tapes and beta tapes.

Answer 6

I'd go back to when I was about 15 or so. Go crazy and have fun because it doesn't count if you're under 18 and your parents will pick you up when you fall. Don't worry about what other people think. You don't have to go to college. All that black is making people scared of you. You don't have to be perfect. Start smoking and stop cutting yourself. Make an effort to keep in touch with your friends. It's okay to be mean sometimes. Get a part-time job.

Answer 7

Get married later (I'd just turned 20).
Get more education.
Live on my own longer for the experience of totally taking care of myself.
Live healthier.
Maintain old friendships instead of letting them slip away.
Spend more time with older relatives.

Answer 8

That would be me at 10.
"Don't be in a hurry to grow up. Adult life isn't exactly what you would look forward to. But if you're really such in a hurry just make sure you've learned how to swim."

Answer 9

[around age 20)
Get that degree
Exercise five times a week.
Avoid the sun.
Don't smoke.
Marry the man you truly, truly love.
Accept and embrace your own body.
Read the classics.
Learn more about art.
Learn to play piano.
Be fearless, but not reckless.

Answer 10

Pick a different college major, marry a different person.