Dear 16-year-old self,
As I near the half a century mark in age, I have things I would love to say to you and all of the teens out there for that matter, things that I wish I had done differently in life. Of course, it’s too late now.
I can’t go back in the past and change what happened. I sometimes wish I could, though. So what would I do differently?
1. Dating
I would have dated more boys so that I could figure out which one was suited for me and learn the red flags. I was shy and didn’t want to date much until I got older. By then I wasn’t around boys or young men like I had been in high school.
Once I found the guy that I married, I wish I had taken the time to get to know him more. I wish I had seen the red flags of dating someone like him.
2. No regrets
I wanted to have no regrets about anything I’ve done. Even as an adult, I am afraid to take a risk at times so maybe I should take my own advice.
Why should I be afraid when it might help me get to my dream of becoming a full-time freelance writer? That brings me to another thought.
3. Standing up for yourself
I would stand up for myself and not let people shame me or make me feel like I couldn’t do something. It’s your life so you should live it the way you want.
Of course, that doesn’t mean drinking and partying every night, but if you have a goal of doing something like traveling the world or living close to the beach, don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do it.
Go with your gut and do what you think you should do. Don’t let others tell you any different. I have had times when I wish I had followed a different path and wonder where I would be today if I had followed that path.
4. No rush
I wouldn’t rush wanting to be older. I know kids your age always wish that they were an adult, but believe me I wouldn’t want to be.
Being an adult isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. In fact, at times, I wish I was still younger, but then I think of all the things that kids like you go through today.
On the other hand, growing older isn’t that bad. You have different responsibilities than you do as a teen. And you even have more responsibilities as an adult. Becoming an adult is a part of life so don’t worry about it too much.
5. Teens and respect
I would have respect for the adults who are helping you grow up and learn how to be an adult. They know what they’re talking about so show them the respect they deserve.
Too many kids your age nowadays don’t have respect for adults or authority of any kind. What have those adults done to deserve that? More and more teens and young adults are cutting off their parents for reasons that the parents don’t always know.
For that matter even adults don’t have respect for other adults. Don’t become one of those adults either.
Sincerely,
Your adult self