What would you say if you could speak to your 16-year-old self?

Rowley Birkin QC · 07-11-2010 02:36PM

Nothing.

I enjoyed my teenage years immensely.

halpin17 · 07-11-2010 02:44PM

Don't end up falling into the friends zone with girls for two years and hope they will actually change there opinion of you and be nuts about
U it won't F-ing happen

Dudess · 07-11-2010 04:03PM

"You'll NEVER (unless you starve yourself) get a completely flat stomach - you're not built that way. Guys do NOT notice that your stomach sticks out a bit, they notice your arse and boobs and legs - and they likes. :pac:
Celebrate those, dammit, and stop feeling self conscious about the boobs and losing weight to try and get rid of them - crazy carry-on! :eek:"

Isn't it so telling the way so many of these concern body hang-ups...? :-/

Chuchoter · 07-11-2010 04:08PM

It was last year that I was 16, but I did many dumb things last year!

-Don't come out yet, you're excited and can't explain yourself properly. Being out is nowhere near as good as it looks. Do what you planned originally, wait until college. Not being out will be the same as your life is being out for the next two years, but your relationship with your family will be ten thousand times better.

-Do Gaisce!

-Don't listen to what the counselor said. You are not a bad person. She will tell you to get rid of some of the personality traits that make you strong. It will make life easier, but not happier. You will lose yourself.

-Don't do the play, its not that great and you get a really embarrassing part.

-Don't write the letter to student forum. Everything you say is right, don't send it anyway, it won't change anything and will make the administration hate you

-She is a bitch, she's not smart or nice or understanding. Don't get wrapped up in her.

-When that girl leaves your group of friends because they're horrible, follow her. She's right and you're being stupid and stuck up. The group of friends you are in now are awful to you and I don't know why you don't see it, the new group are lovely!

-Join that sport you always liked on school tours, its really good!

And to my 14 and 15 year old self:
-Study and do your homework. You are not as smart as you think you are and will be disappointed with your mediocre results, when you could have been one of the girls with 10As

-Keep going at the maths, don't get disheartened! You'll get an A in the junior cert and will be overjoyed.

-You're gay, quit trying to convince yourself you're straight, then bisexual then asexual (I went through all the sexualities that didn't involve being gay! :P)

-Don't keep doing Japanese. Though you will become fluent, a combination of depression and realizing its stupid will make you forget the whole thing, thereby wasting a substantial amount of time you could have spent studying everything else.

brainyneuron · 07-11-2010 04:14PM

...lots of things but this would be the most important...

ITS OK TO BE DIFFERENT!!!!!!

Really it is!

Rocket19 · 07-11-2010 04:34PM

16 wasn't toooo long ago for me but I really think I've matured quite a bit over the last few years.

I'd tell myself not to be so naive. God, I was naive. It's nice to trust people but you have to be sensible too. Just because a guy tells you he loves you, doesn't mean he really does. Don't be afraid to open up but protect you heart too (soppy :rolleyes:).

Don't try to be someone else. I really wish I'd known this. It's a cliché thing to say but it really applied to me. I had a sort of wall that I didn't want people to see past. I was fake I guess. Tried to impress people.
I'd tell myself that people will probably like you for who you are. Why shouldn't they!? And if they don't, fcuk that!

xxxxx

Will · 07-11-2010 04:43PM

Ditch your current mates they're nothing but wasters and will hold you back.
Remember the decision between nursing and computer science? Yeah go for nursing, trust me.
Most 16 year old girls are difficult beings, approach with caution and take what they say with a pinch of salt.

skywards · 07-11-2010 05:08PM

-Get a desk job!

Maddison · 07-11-2010 05:24PM

Dont do anything differently because the mistakes you make along the way are your lessons for the future. No matter how bad things seem think to yourself that things can only get better.

LenaClaire · 07-11-2010 06:22PM

Oh lordie, I am sure I would not have listened but I would say..

- you are not crazy
- stop daydreaming about him, guys a million times better are on the horizon
- you are more interesting than you think
- you are smarter than you think
- you are not fat no matter what your mother says (and she will apologize later for projecting her issues on you)

Dudess · 07-11-2010 06:35PM

PK2008 wrote: »

You know there are many 16 year olds you could tell this stuff to now

And they probably wouldn't pay any heed because they have an entirely different perspective, and that's perfectly ok - you need to find your own path. It's such a balls though to have these nagging "If only I'd done x" thoughts, but I've learned to zone them out and keep reminding myself it felt right at the time, and regret is a waste, and if you keep training yourself to think that way, it works and you start to feel better. However, some people say hindsight's a great thing - it is in its bum-hole! :pac:

Busi_Girl08 · 07-11-2010 06:37PM

"A guy will ask you out near the end of 6th year. Ye will be a bit different, and you will be worried about ruining the friendship, but just go for it. Trust me, you will regret missing out on what could have been more than if that friendship was f-ed up."

Equium · 07-11-2010 06:37PM

- Be yourself, not what someone else wants you to be.
- Don't be so shy. Life's just too short!
- Go for it. Whats the worst that can happen?
- Don't spend so long analysing everything, you'll miss your chance.
- Are you sure you want to work in the construction industry?

skywards · 07-11-2010 07:20PM

Equium wrote: »

- Don't be so shy. Life's just too short!

I'm still telling myself that, and I still don't think its working :mad:.

UpCork · 07-11-2010 07:49PM

It's a while since I was sixteen, over 10 years

but I'd say:

Embrace who you are. Just becuase you aren't part of the "in gang" doesn't make you less of a person.

Stop worrying about your friendships because when you get older the same problems will occur (they have) but you'll have the skills to better deal with them.

Stop being in comeptition in school with one of your best friends - she isn't in competition with you - and you both have different interests so once you get to college it will be different (and it was!)

christina_x · 07-11-2010 07:59PM

Dont be in such a rush to grow up, it will come in time
Let him go, your going to meet better people in your life.
cop on

itac · 07-11-2010 08:05PM

-You were right, that surgeon did fcuk your knee up. However, in 13 years, another surgeon will fix it; the everyday pain will become once a week pain, and you'll run (most of!) a mini-marathon (no, really you will!)

-Christmas will become ok again in time, but remember that lesson, always talk to people you know and care for, you never know when it'll be the last time you get the chance.

-The Sunscreen Song contains most of the wisdom you'll need in your life....and you will listen to it thousands of times over the years...and eventually sometime, you'll pay attention!

-Your Dad is not a horrible man, nor are you a horrible person. Every teenager falls out with their parents, and you are no different-remember, he grew up in the 40's& 50's, you in the 80's & 90's. In the future, when you both mature & mellow, you'll realise how lucky you are to have such a wonderful caring father-appreciate this.

In writing all that, like many others, I wouldn't have paid attention to any words of wisdom given to me at the time, but that's the joys of youth.
I don't really regret any decisions I've made, they've made me who I am today, the only thing I wish I could change is people I love suffering and dying. I think the greatest life lesson I've learnt is to: accept, accept, accept, and this too shall pass....oh, and that pints don't always solve problems, but sometimes they can aid you toward the solution:D

spinningwheel · 07-11-2010 08:32PM

stop sulking just because you have to get braces for a while you looser!!

Cookie Jar · 07-11-2010 09:07PM

Don't get a tattoo at 16.

Stop putting your mam through all that worry.

Stop wearing them ridiculous clothes.

Get a hobby.

You don't need to spend all you're money on cd's, you're gonna throw them all out and discover the Internet.

Stop drinking so much.

Equium · 08-11-2010 01:03AM

skywards wrote: »

I'm still telling myself that, and I still don't think its working :mad:.

I'm the same. But if I could go back and could convince my younger self that I'm from the future, I think I could make them believe anything.

Pembily · 08-11-2010 01:30PM

Having a boyfriend is not the be all and end all!!!

Ironically the girls who were horrilble to you are fat now...

Cherise all your time with Andrew!

Relax a bit, you will make mistakes, it does get easier and you will have a hot date for your debs!!!

Just relax a bit!!!

Goldenlady · 08-11-2010 06:28PM

Brilliant thread, was only thinking about this the other day......... here goes.....

1) He is NOT worth it, stop crying over him.
2) Do not drop out of college, do change courses and stay and finish your degree, do not take the year out.
3) Make Mom go to the doctor before ye go on holidays when your 19..... the holiday will never happen, but you will have your Mom as you know her for longer.
4) Go to the dentist and bring your little brother too!
5) Yes you enjoy playing Basketball and train hard, just stop eating SO much chocolate!
6) Your friends will be the same people in 16 years, don't be jealous of them........... just enjoy their company
7) Work harder in school - train to be a teacher, sorted for life!!:D

helsinki501 · 08-11-2010 08:21PM

Unfortunately life did turn out as **** as you feared.Lucky you turned out to be a strong character and you will be happy in your late forties.Early forties now.

SheRa · 09-11-2010 01:12AM

I know you feel really lonely and ugly and that you are not worth very much, but you really are. It mightn't feel like it now but you will grow into someone that you like and are happy to be.

And stop checking out your hair in every concievable reflection. I know you dont like it and only want to make it look nice, but you look like a looper.

1c1a · 09-11-2010 01:38AM

What would I say to my 16 year old self?

Absolutely Nothing...

Rockery Woman · 09-11-2010 03:19AM

I would say to my 16 year old self:

Its a stupid crush, you will get over it I promise! You are only 16, when you are twice that age you will laugh at the memory of it.

Stay away from the B***ard charmer who sweeps you off your feet when you are 19 - he is no good!

You are not going to change the world, you are not going to be a millionaire, you are not very different from everyone else, but aged 28, you will accept that and start enjoying your life.

You will get married at 30 to a man who you haven't met yet. You will date him for 7 years first though.

You will get a job when you are 18, change jobs 4 times and buy your first car at 19.

Your mother will admit she is proud of you when you are 33 years old. But she always was and you never realised it. You will never look back at the past and cry, only shrug and think "ah well".

You will make a friend when you are 25 who suffers from depression, they will fall out with you after 2 years and you will be gutted. He will never speak to you again. This person dragged you down and it takes almost a year to get back on track yourself. Because of this you will put up a barrier which is seldom penetrated by anyone.

And now, at 35 - you are happier, wiser, more beautiful, confident than you ever were. You have a wonderful husband who thinks the world of you.

So to my 16 year old self:

Love many, trust few
always paddle your own canoe!

x

scotchy · 09-11-2010 03:26AM

What would you say if you could speak to your 16-year-old self?

Steer clear of those Anglo Irish shares:rolleyes:.

.

Capt'n Midnight · 09-11-2010 04:19AM

in the leaving cert sit home ec. and physics with maths too - it won't make any difference tbh

it's true that the friends you make at college are about the best you'll ever make but you will loose them afterwards

if asked to escort a cousin around Kilkenny take it - never found out

the technology of the future will always be the technology of the future

In a couple of years a drunk girl will say she loves you - you won't get a second chance

get an account for dial up and learn html

learn about owning property and common law - pay off your mortgagee early

when people give you tips about shares that you can verify act upon them

if you get a chance to get out of a failed relationship , take it

The Sweeper · 09-11-2010 06:54AM

You're okay.

No, really, you are, you're okay.

Also: beer makes you fat, and you won't even notice it.

But it makes you happy too, especially because it's going to take you a very, very long time to finally realise that you're okay.

deathrider · 09-11-2010 07:14AM

Not sure if I should be posting here (this being the Ladies' Lounge, and my not being a lady), but to my sixtten year old me:

There are more imortant things than music. Not many, but a few.
You've got more control than you think. Use it.
Don't touch her, she is a road to ruin.
You don't drink right now, keep it that way or you'll regret it!
Stick by those morals you hold so dear, they will serve you well.
Can I borrow some of your old comics? I swear I'll give them back, and I'm not going to sell them in my time for huge prophits.

What would you say if you could speak to your 16-year-old self?

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