10 things I wish could tell my 16 year old self actually came about during a hilarious throwback conversation with a friend of mine at work today. We were pretty much reminiscing about some of the fashion crimes we committed during our teenage years. Does anybody remember that Christina Aguilera song, Dirrty? OMG!! I was so obsessed with her, I literally wanted to be her. Ewwwwwwww! Those super low rise jeans? Cringe!!!!! Anyway, it got me thinking….if I had a time machine and could go back and talk to my 16 year old self, what would I tell her? This is what I came up with…...
1. Act your age.
Please don’t be in a hurry to grow up. Enjoy being young, play more, watch Sabrina the teenage witch, have fun and just be a teenager. Growing up is so overrated, I mean seriously! It comes with responsibilities, bills, bills, more bills, oh and did I mention bills?? You get the picture right?
2. Stop being a people pleaser.
Please stop worrying so much about what other people think of you. How people treat you is a reflection of themselves and has nothing to with you. Also please don’t let that girl walk all over you like she does, stand up for yourself. Don’t be afraid to speak up, believe it or not, you’re not going to have a problem doing this when you’re older.
3. You are beautiful!
There is absolutely nothing wrong with your body, you are not too skinny, you’re definitely not too tall, this is how God made you and it’s nothing to be ashamed of. You may very well look like a baby giraffe right now, and I know being taller than the majority of people in your class/school is quite daunting and frustrating, but I can tell you now, there’ll come a day when you’ll appreciate the height. So stand tall and own it baby!!!
4. Step away from the blue eyeshadow!
No! No! No! That blue eyeshadow that you like so much, looks really bad and it certainly doesn’t suit you. Do not even get me started on that caked up mess it turns into at the end of the day, ugh! Bin it.
5. Just go for it!
Remember that session you had with that careers adviser, who told you that wanting to be an actor is a frivolous dream and to just “get real”? Please please do not listen to him. He is just a fat miserable old man, who never got to fulfil his potential and is now killing other people’s dreams.
The thing is….you are so young and you have your whole life ahead of you. You don’t have to have it all figured out right now, follow your heart, it will lead you in the right direction. You may take a few detours along the way, and sometimes you may not know where the road is leading (ok most of the time you won’t know where it’s leading), but you’ll have a kick-ass time along the journey. Pay no attention to the naysayers, trust yourself, believe in yourself and know that who YOU are is more than good enough. Just continue to shine your light and the right people/opportunities will come into your life.
6. Appreciate your mum more.
Your mum is literally your biggest cheerleader. She really does want what’s best for you despite what you may think right now. She has sacrificed a lot more than you are aware of, to make your life comfortable. You’re just going through teenage angst, but believe me….mama knows best, and she loves you more than anything. One day you will have a child of your own and it will all make sense.
7. Pay attention in Spanish class!
You may not know this yet, but one day you’re going to want to live in a Spanish speaking country and knowing the language will definitely be an advantage. Did I also mention that one of your best friends will be Spanish? Better pay more attention girl.
8. Get out more!
I know what a recluse you are, and just how much you love having your head stuck in a book, but….there’s life out there. The world of books and imagination is fascinating, I know, but so is the real world too if you just give it a chance. Go to the movies, go the mall with your friends. You just might have fun. When you’re older, you are actually going to love getting out and exploring the world every chance you get, you may as well start now.
9. Be happy that you’re not into boys!
Those two “cool girls” in your class who had all the boys drooling? Yeah the ones who were super popular with the boys at school because they put out? Yeah, they’ve both now got an average of 4 kids each, live off welfare in council flats and are still popular with the boys….if you know what I mean! (not that there’s anything wrong with that, but I know you have bigger dreams for yourself that that). So be very glad you were the ‘frigid’ one back then.
10. I Love you.
In the years to come I may forget to treat you as well as I should, damn I may even abuse you a little bit with alcohol, binge eating and other unsavoury behaviour. I’m so sorry. I appreciate you and I love you very much.
*bonus 11*. It’s never too early to start saving. Learn about money management starting right now, it will make a HUGE difference in your life in the long run. You don’t have to spend your entire allowance on frivolous items, save a little each week. Its very easy too, with websites like SoFi being able to assist you in saving little by little each day/week. It’ll definitely be worth it in the future!
Alright, I’m sure I can think of a lot more things, but I’ll leave it at this for now otherwise I’ll end up writing an endless list. So yeah, that’s 10 things I wish I could tell my 16 year old self, ok so it’s 11, but whatever!
I want to know, what you would tell your 16 year old self if you could? Leave me a comment below, and let me know. If you like this post, please like/share it with your friends, let’s spread the love. ?
As always, till next time you beauties…Love the life you’re living!
XOXO
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I’m dedicated to wellness, constantly striving to be my best self while inspiring others to do the same. Embracing my journey, flaws and all, I’m committed to biohacking for a healthier, longer life—so I can be a present mama for my kids and inspire others to authentically live their best lives too. đź’«
I love reflective posts like these. I think I would tell my 16-year-old self ‘not to worry and everything is going to be OK.’
Jemma @ Celery and Cupcakes recently posted…My Holiday Essentials*
Number 6 for me. I really should have appreciated my mum more. We used to argue so much, now I look back and think why? We are the best of friends now.
Rachel xx
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Those bushy eyebrows might be funny to some at the moment, but wait until they get handy with picking up honeys.
Love this post! It’s so honest & shows how much you’ve grown!
Becca
QueenBeeBecca.com
Definitely *bonus 11* for me… Be money smart and save save SAVE!!! But also have fun while you do it.
I would tell my 16 year old self that she was never fat! But also, well done for being the one to not take shit from people and stand up for yourself and friends even at that young age and with being so shy.