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If you could have told your future self something, what would it be?

  • 29-02-2012 4:10pm
    #1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,844 ✭✭✭


    If someone gave you the chance to go back to the age of, say, 16 and tell your future self something, what would it have been? Mine are:

    • study for your bloody Leaving Cert.
    • take that summer waitressing job in South Africa you're going to be offered next year
    • don't waste three of the best years of your life on a 19-stone blob (yes, I actually did that)
    • go to your debs
    • hang on to E for dear life
    Anyone else?


«13

Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,607 ✭✭✭newport2


    Sell house in 2007, buy lots of gold


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,062 ✭✭✭al28283


    You are your future self now, you mean past self


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,819 ✭✭✭howamidifferent


    Telling myself that it was all just for sex and I could leave when I wanted to wouldnt work and I'd end up marrying the buunyboiler. I would say "run forest run...Life will be no box of chocolates if you stay".... :D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 26,928 ✭✭✭✭rainbow kirby


    Don't take medicine off your CAO form...


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,189 ✭✭✭Ophiopogon


    I'd have to go back to 13.

    • Never ever start smoking.
    • Pay attention in school and keep your gob shut, it will be easier in the long run.
    • Don't take the job in the dental practice.
    • Sort out your mother.
    • Do not make friends with that person.
    • Start running now.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,844 ✭✭✭Honey-ec


    al28283 wrote: »
    You are your future self now, you mean past self

    Er, no.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,184 ✭✭✭neuro-praxis


    I would have told my 16 year old self:
    • Go to counselling now, or at least the moment you move out
    • Be kind to yourself and be gentle with yourself
    • Stick with that boyfriend you've got: he's a good 'un
    • Don't stop playing basketball when you get to university!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,641 ✭✭✭Teyla Emmagan


    Don't fall in love with that Aussie guy and waste years of your life on him
    Don't start smoking
    Don't comfort eat or you will spend years struggling with the consequences
    Learn to manage your stress, preferably by not succumbing to it in the first place!

    I would need to go back to about 25, I made most of my mistakes after that!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,641 ✭✭✭Teyla Emmagan


    Oh yeah, and sleep around. This waiting for 'the one' crap is total nonsense!


  • Registered Users Posts: 712 ✭✭✭Jimmy Two Times


    Great topic...........

    Make sure you go to Cork for the replay in '83 or you'll never hear the end of it.
    Take a chance with that wee cailín in 2nd Year Business Studies.
    Don't give up playing football at 23 'cos you'll regret it.
    Finish writing the book and fook the begrudgers.
    Go up the Twin Towers when you get the chance 'cos they mightn't " be there next year "


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,568 ✭✭✭candy-gal1


    dont be so naive with people.

    dont believe everything anyone says, no matter how honest and trustworthy they seem or how in love with them you are.

    dont blow all the money you earned from your first job, which you hate anyway.

    make more of a fuss to where you would be moving to etc, when told youd be moving out of the place you loved.

    never worry about what others think of you, no matter who they are, people are always going to judge etc no matter what you wear, weigh, look like or whatever, its down to their own low self esteem, worries of their own or else they really just have nothing else in their life, just be who you want to be and who you are and fcuk the begrudgers, lifes too short imho.

    as was said above, enjoy yourself and ignore the rules put about by some people, if you want to sleep with someone, do it, as long as your not hurting anyone etc obviously! as long as your being safe etc, if its what you want then you shouldnt have regrets.

    and lastly, dont have regrets unless its about things you havent done, not things you have done.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,325 ✭✭✭Eviledna


    To the teenage me:

    1) If you have to dumb yourself down for that lad, you shouldn't be with him. Get out early and be yourself.

    2) Don't be so trusting, if you suspect they are betraying you, they usually are.

    3) Stop trying to make people into who you want them to be, instead try pointing all that negative self-analysis outward at them: see? They are just horrible people. You're grand.

    4) you're not as fat as you think you are. Wear those clothes, you'll miss it when you're too old for them ;)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,644 ✭✭✭✭lazygal


    To 14 year old me:

    Secondary school is cr%p, just put the head down, study, stay friends with the one girl you know will be a friend for life and get into college. It's ALL better after school.
    Stop agonising about what others think of you, they are NOT thinking about you as much as your paranoid self might think.
    Don't worry about what to study in college, you'll have a few careers but no matter what you study you'll never be short of work.
    Don't worry about finding a fella, you'll find him, fall in love and get married a lot quicker than most of your friends. And your wedding will be fantastic!
    Ditch the glasses ASAP and don't let your mum fob you off, the contact lenses are step one to a much happier you.
    You're an academic person, embrace it and don't worry about being cool, by the second year of college loads of people think you're one of the coolest people they've ever known because you are being you.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,729 ✭✭✭Acoshla


    To 16 year old me:

    Yes he is sleeping with everything that moves in London, dump him now. And don't pay any attention to what that next lad tells you about ANYTHING, he's thick.
    Study for the Leaving!
    People generally stick out jobs for more than 1-4 months, you should know that now because it's quite the shock to be faced with later on.
    Find some sport or just general activity you like, back and neck won't hurt so much if you have any normal person's level of fitness.
    Don't trust female friends until they show you that you can, girls from around here are inherently bitchy and not worth your tears or effort.
    You're a skinny minny, enjoy it while it lasts and stop complaining about a non existent belly.
    Mom is ALWAYS right.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,802 ✭✭✭beks101


    Just one thing really.

    'Learn to love yourself. It will save a lot of time.'


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 22,058 ✭✭✭✭Abi


    Mom and Dad are right, get the hell away from him.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 33 Sonic the Large Cock


    Honey-ec wrote: »
    If someone gave you the chance to go back to the age of, say, 16 and tell your future self something, what would it have been? Mine are:

    • study for your bloody Leaving Cert.
    • take that summer waitressing job in South Africa you're going to be offered next year
    • don't waste three of the best years of your life on a 19-stone blob (yes, I actually did that)
    • go to your debs
    • hang on to E for dear life
    Anyone else?


    E??


  • Registered Users Posts: 190 ✭✭Friel


    I would tell myself:
      Concentrate in school
      Stay in Uni and actually work
      Get a job earlier and not to take the one I have now
      Get my arse waxed immediately (genuinely, took a year of my life so far)
      Give one particular person as much time and support as you can


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 22,058 ✭✭✭✭Abi




    E??
    Its someone's initial..


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,338 ✭✭✭squishykins


    I'd probably go back to my 12-13 year old self, but I am only 19 so :D
    • Tell your parents exactly how you feel, no matter how hard it is, they're good people and they can help you.
    • Don't worry so much about boys, you do meet someone absolutely amazing :)
    • Take up some hobbies damnit! Don't worry about how you'll be seen!
    • Don't be afraid to put what you actually want on the CAO, not what's expected of you.
    • Try not to stress, even though it's in your genes :P


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,641 ✭✭✭Teyla Emmagan


    Friel wrote: »
    I would tell myself:

    • Get my arse waxed immediately (genuinely, took a year of my life so far)

    Getting your arse waxed is one thing (and my condolences if that's something that's an issue for you). But how could anything related to waxing your arse have taken a year of your life so far?!


  • Registered Users Posts: 190 ✭✭Friel


    Getting your arse waxed is one thing (and my condolences if that's something that's an issue for you). But how could anything related to waxing your arse have taken a year of your life so far?!

    In grown hair. Been operated on 3 times since last February. Haven't been able to work or play football since.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,641 ✭✭✭Teyla Emmagan


    Friel wrote: »
    In grown hair. Been operated on 3 times since last February. Haven't been able to work or play football since.

    Jeesus :(


  • Registered Users Posts: 197 ✭✭Sunshineboo


    Fantastic thread!

    Have more self respect for yourself

    Believe those compliments you are not fat

    Let him go, he doesn't love and never will, sleeping with him and playing games sure as hell will never make him love you.

    Take your time, don't rush college or career choices.

    Finally learn to love yourself and forgive yourself or you'll never move on.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 34,788 ✭✭✭✭krudler


    way too many to mention, but ok.

    . apply yourself more in school, you had the brains just not the drive

    .dont apply for that college course you did a and left after a few months, do take a year off and travel.

    .travel

    .travel

    .that night the lads ask you to go for a quiet one and you think about chatting up that pretty brunette at the bar and you actually go over to her? stay at home, you'll thank me in a couple of years.

    .you wouldnt mind working in a call centre? you will, dont.

    . when you go to Vegas (yes you get to go to Vegas, calm down I'm not finished yet) and you wind up having dinner alone with that really cute Scottish girl? KISS HER!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,189 ✭✭✭Ophiopogon


    Oh yeah that's a good one Krudler

    • travel for at least all of your early 20's


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 746 ✭✭✭Starokan


    Great topic, really makes you think:

    i would tell my future self

    - embrace the academic side of college, not just the partying as its only when your gone you will realise what you could have achieved

    - love yourself, once you do that everything falls into place

    but most of all
    - when standing in the snow on xmas eve & your best friend who you have secretly loved for countless years tells you she loves you , kiss her back instead of explaining you have a girlfriend you met in college & are to principled to cheat. Cos no matter how good life gets not returning that kiss will always haunt you.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 20,944 ✭✭✭✭Links234


    Those feelings you're struggling with will not go away and you can't keep them buried. There is absolutely nothing wrong with how you feel either, don't ever let anyone else tell you what you're feeling is wrong, and the sooner you realise that the better, you will be loved for who you are and you will be happy.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,091 ✭✭✭Sarn


    - Study just a little bit harder for your 2nd year exams.
    - 3, 10, 15, 28, 45, 5, 7


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,713 ✭✭✭✭Novella


    If you feel like someone is treating you badly, they probably are. And it's okay to stand up for yourself and walk away.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 937 ✭✭✭newbee22


    - It's ok for a girl to contact a guy first.
    - Don't delete peoples phone numbers from your phone
    -Have confidence in yourself, if you don't noone will!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 69 ✭✭IsaMtq


    To the 16 year old me I’d probably give a bit of a shake and a kick up the arse!
    - Life is not one big party
    - Drink less, don’t smoke
    - Study and pay attention in school
    - People who don’t make you feel good about yourself are not friends
    - Listen to advice but be careful whose you take

    And probably lots more……


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 40,401 ✭✭✭✭x Purple Pawprints x


    Such a cool idea for a thread. :D

    - That girl you think you've been friends with since primary school thinks she's better than you. Ditch her fast. And ditch that other one faster.
    - Watch what you're eating, get more exercise or you'll end up hating your body.
    - Study harder for the Leaving, put UCD on your CAO.
    - Your friend is going to need some help but don't go down that same road as her, it'll affect you for a long time.
    - Stop being so bloody shy. Talk to people. They're not going to judge you and think you're an idiot for talking.
    - Stand up to that lecturer
    - Stand up to mam, don't let her bully you into not having a social life in college. You'll regret it and you'll make no friends.
    - There's more to college life than study, have a bit of fun.
    - You are going to meet someone, you'll fall for him so fast and he'll change your life. He'll love you and you'll love him like you never thought possible. But please have more confidence, he'll hate when you put yourself down.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 8,057 ✭✭✭MissFlitworth


    -no ones looking at you and sneering, no one's judging you, people don't instantly dislike you when you meet them. Honestly it's all paranoia & anxiety and when you realise this you are going to be well miffed with yourself for the time you spent so upset over nothing

    - you know the way you look at people going off travelling by themselves and get jealous? Eh, you realise you're not tethered here by your leg? You can do that too

    - It's ok to have an opinion on things. You aren't stupid & you aren't automatically wrong when someone else thinks differently. Don't be a gossip because you're too shy to have a conversation about anything apart from people you know, it will bite you in the arse

    - You will lose weight :) You don't have an underactive thyroid, you're not ''naturally fat", you can drop the lard. But, sorry, you can't ever go back to the old biweekly pizza-and-chip dinner routine. And, you sort of have to exercise at least 5 times a week. Sorry about that!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 538 ✭✭✭OkayWhatever


    To 16 year old me:

    - Be brave.
    You know you need to leave, so don't stay one minute longer. (I stayed for another year :mad: !!!!)

    -Nobody is allowed to hurt you. No matter who they are.

    - Asking for help isn't a bad thing. If you need it, ask.

    - People aren't psychic.

    - Your mam isn't that evil b*tch that you think she is! In 3 years time she's gonna be your best friend :)


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,512 ✭✭✭baby and crumble


    1) You're gay. Like REALLY gay. Tell the folks, they seriously don't care.
    2) Go on more holidays with your Mum. She's not going to be around to see you hit 30.
    3) Don't give up on your sport once you hit college. Trust me, you'll regret it.
    4) Stop beating yourself up for not being spontaneous. You like things in a certain way and that's ok. Give yourself a break.
    5) Fancying the teacher is NOT a good enough reason to choose your college course. :rolleyes: Put down social work, social policy, or something like that. It'll stand to you better.
    6) That New Years of 2004, when you really want to kiss her at the door? Kiss her. It works out great in the end. ;) Yes, she actually fancies you.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,091 ✭✭✭dearg lady


    it's funny, things I've regretted in the past I no longer regret...I appear to have come full circle on some things!

    It's quite a common one but I would tell my younger self that you are not fat, and I would tell my today self the same...why are we so quick to judge ourselves!

    I would tell myself to go to a counsellor sooner, it helped, immensely.

    Thats about it. Not much regrets tbh, onwards and upwards :)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 118 ✭✭jay phelan


    Dear 15 year old me..

    - Someone is going to come into your life soon and they will sweep you off your feet. Don't listen to what people say because they will make you the happiest person alive.

    - SAVE YOUR MONEY!!

    - Those ideas your having now will pay off but if you start now (like you want to) you will be where you want to be a lot sooner.

    - Don't loose touch with C, you'll regret it for the rest of your life.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 31,152 ✭✭✭✭KERSPLAT!


    Finish what you started!!

    Travel!!

    Stay single!


  • Registered Users Posts: 315 ✭✭travelledpengy


    When you tell the redhead in uni that u need to find a gf with a car... and she replies that she has a car, It means she is into you.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 8,884 ✭✭✭Eve_Dublin


    A few things I suppose although if I changed them, things wouldn't be how they are now and I'm quite happy as things are this minute...


    - Be nicer to your dad (teens).

    - Do a little more study for your LC. It's a feckin' miracle you passed by studying the night before you lazy thing.

    - Don't come home from South America

    - Don't move to Spain, move back to South America.

    - Go easier on yourself. You're grand.



    Thing is, if I didn't move here, I wouldn't have met the man I'm with now. Just need a way to convince him to move to South America with me....


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,189 ✭✭✭Ophiopogon


    dearg lady wrote: »
    it's funny, things I've regretted in the past I no longer regret...I appear to have come full circle on some things!

    It's quite a common one but I would tell my younger self that you are not fat, and I would tell my today self the same...why are we so quick to judge ourselves!

    I would tell myself to go to a counsellor sooner, it helped, immensely.

    Thats about it. Not much regrets tbh, onwards and upwards :)

    Have to say, I don't count anything I've posted here as a regret, anything I've done in my life to counts as a learning curve, one I'll be on till I die. At times obviously there would have been easier ways of doing things.

    Just wanted to put this in as I personally think regret is big time wasting, negative hole.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,032 ✭✭✭Bubblefett


    2 things.

    1) Getting a degree is not the be all and end all. There are other options. Don't just put down what you have on your cao cause your "meant to."

    2) Stop worrying about boys! You know that cute boy who works in the shop around the courner from school? The one everyone in your class fancys and calls "hot [insert store name] guy? He's the guy you'll end up marrying one day


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 678 ✭✭✭ihsb


    Be open to ways to meet new people

    Realise that anxiety and depression is not weird

    Stand up for yourself

    Get out of that very very ****ty situation


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 642 ✭✭✭Contessa Raven


    To my 16 year old self:

    - Try to push through the pain of the bad stuff, you need to focus for the LC. If you can't be stronger you'll fail and need to repeat.

    - Let him go. Yes, he's gorgeous. Yes, he's interesting and cool. Yes, he seemed interested but he'll never make up his mind. You're just making yourself look foolish and feel bad. Don't waste 2 years trying to make him see what he's missing. :rolleyes:

    - That flakey girl that clung to you one minute and disappeared the next? Ditch her. She's trouble and a liar. The girl your dad warned is "Too nice"? She is. To your face anyway. Run. FAST!

    - Don't stress about being single. When you least expect it, you'll meet him and you'll never look back. biggrin.gif

    - You are not ugly. You could lose a pounds though. Do it now or you'll regret it later.


  • Moderators, Arts Moderators Posts: 17,231 Mod ✭✭✭✭Das Kitty


    I wouldn't give myself a list of dos and don'ts. I was a stubborn so and so and would most likely ignore myself. This is what I would send:

    Dear me,

    There will be hardship, but hang in there gorgeous, because it all works out.

    Me


  • Registered Users Posts: 453 ✭✭dashboard_hula


    Stay away from that f*cking credit card. Seriously. Step away.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 92 ✭✭missyb


    • Stop worrying about people liking you,the ones that matter already do
    • Do not write those awful messages on the school desks,ugh
    • Be nicer to that girl,yes she can be a bitch but so can you, your better than that and you will regret it later
    • Dont be afraid to stand up for yourself or you will learn the hard way
    • Go for your passion now, stop being afraid, dont wait for your 20's, you are actually good at it
    • The people who tell you you are ugly are lying,stop believing it, you arent ugly, you're perfectly fine the way you are
    • You did great in the LC, so what happened in college? Its not just about the party.
    • Only one of the guys you meet will be actually worth it,your taste in men seriously needs to change or you will come close to a nervous breakdown over some loser, when it does change you will meet "the one":)
    • Hash doesnt agree with you, let it go
    • the eating what you like and not putting on weight phase doesnt last, start exercising now,even a bit


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 941 ✭✭✭Typer Monkey


    If he cheated with you, he'll cheat on you!!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 154 ✭✭ArtOfEscape


    Be nicer to E. She needs someone and you'll regret being so harsh later.

    Have more fun in college, and don't expect people to seek you out - you have to make the effort!

    Excellent TED talk on regrets, if you're interested: http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/en/kathryn_schulz_don_t_regret_regret.html


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