Dear Me...

[Michael Collins]

If you could write a letter to your 16 year old self, what would it say?

I'm only 19, so haven't exactly learned too many life lessons since then, but if I had any advice for the me of three years ago I would say RELAX. I spent too much of my teenage years worrying about stupid stuff (school, girls, the future etc.), and should have relaxed a bit more. Now that I've grown up a bit, had sex, started college, left home etc., I can see that my old 'problems' were a massive waste of energy. I guess everyone goes about life a little bit like that.

(Also, since I have my own attention, I'd like to warn 16 year old me against investing too much emotion into Ireland's campaign to qualify for the 2010 World Cup. It'll end in heartbreak thanks to a cheating Frenchman.)

What would you say?

[lattaland]

It only gets worse.

[campy]

I would say

Dear Sarah,
Over the next 22 years you will make mistakes, learn from them, you will be hurt by people you thought loved you, don't dwell on it, you will hurt people you thought you loved, be gentle with them, you will study subjects you think you'll never use, you do. You will find a job you love, a man who is everything you wanted and more and have that kid you keep dreaming of...that's harder then you think.

You never get skinny
You do learn to drive
You are NOT a red head so don't even try
You are confident...surprisingly...

Good Job Sarah!

[bankyanks]

Dear Bianca,*

1. Ease up on the strawberry milk. Just because you're thin now doesn't mean you're going to stay that way. Trust me.*
2. If my calculations are correct you are in the midst of a sorted affair with your friends boyfriend. You're 16 you shouldn't even know what an affair is. Regardless, he's a dickhead and everything be says is a lie.*
3. Keep it in your pants. Seriously. You're 16 fucks sake.*
4. You will eventually meet a lovely boy who makes you laugh. Don't fuck that up like I did.*
5. Seriously. Number 1 again. Stop eating. I'm fat because of you!!*

Just so you know. We are still single. Still have a shitty job. But were lucky to have fabulous friends (sometimes).

Oh yeah. You have short, bright red hair. And you like floral now! See, mum was right when she said that emo was just a "stage."

(I'm also 19. But I've made some horrible mistakes. Poor 16 year old me never saw it coming.)

[amyuilani]

Dear Amy (16),

You're aware that your high school days are coming to an end, and you're enjoying your senior year. However, coming next is college. There will come a point when you leave college because you realize you can. However, don't do it. Stick it out. Get it done and out of the way. You won't realize how much it sucks to still be going at it in your 30's when all the opportunities to have fun with college have passed, and you can't quite compete with those who did fight it out and now have more to show for it than you do. Once the ship sails, you can't swim fast enough to catch up with it. There is only one opportunity to have a great 'right now.' Love every minute of it, good and bad.

Also, don't jump on every credit card offer you get. You'll realize that how pretty they all look in your wallet is meaningless when your credit is badly shot later when it matters most.

Love,
Amy (32)

[jillybean]

Originally Posted by lattaland

It only gets worse.

^ this

[FletchLives]

do more drugs and get in more trouble before you're a legal adult.

[BrianAlt]

Brian,

You don't need to look at that! Seriously, don't be stupid!

Yours truly,
Brian

[Rhian]

Dear Rhi,

Continue training and pushing for what you want, you don't know what is gonna smack you around that corner. Stay strong. Don't date guys that check themselves out in any reflection. It's entertaining for a while but you can do better in those months. Don't listen to dickheads, you'll be fine in your path you choose. Go to Ireland now.

[madisonyrskull]

"You may not change,but other people will.When they start changing,leave.They just want something from you.When they get what they what their needs will be different.Don't be used.Just use everyone."