So it’s my birthday this week – another a year older – my twenties seem like quite some time ago now. Whilst I am not one for regrets, I believe that everything happens for a reason and one change in the past might have given me a completely different future (remember that film Sliding Doors?). However, there are a few little things I wish I could go back and tell my 18 year old self:
- Don’t mess with your hair colour – you will have to dye it religiously once you hit 30 to cover the greys – so, for now, give it a break!
- Look after your skin – you maybe a perky teenager now, with glowing smooth skin who can pull an all nighter without so much as an under eye shadow but, it wont always be that way.
- Work hard – because qualifications give you choices. When you become a Mum and want to find a work life balance, you will need the power to have choices!
- Help your Mum – these Mums work hard and you have no idea how hard until you are one. Make a cuppa, help with the tea, tell her how much you appreciate her. They sacrifice so much for you but you are oblivious to it all.
- Always be kind – you may have millions of friends right now but it might not always be that way. One day you will be standing alone in a room hoping for someone to be kind to you.
- Wear what you want – you can. Once your body has produced children it will never be the same again so embrace those tiny shirts and bikini tops.
- Exercise – seriously.
- Realise that you are capable of anything – think about what you want to do and do it. Simple as that.
- Travel – as much as you can. See the world before work, family and finances cause restrictions.
- Call your Mum when you are going to be late (Sorry Mum!) – the worry you have for a child is the worst kind of worry, no matter what age you are.
- Learn to apply make up – an important life skill.
- Lastly, enjoy every second – it all goes so fast, have fun, laugh, and don’t waste any tears on boys. When you meet the one you will know and he will definitely be worth the wait!
Do you have any advice to your younger self?
This is all great advice. I definitely agree with pretty much all of these, I would add ‘don’t pluck your eyebrows really think as they will never grow back the same and one day you will want them back’ haha. Definite wish I hadn’t worried my mum so much when I was younger now I realise what worrying about a child feels like!xx #TwinklyTuesday
Ah these are great, especially the one about being nice to your mum. There’s mnothing like becoming a mum to bring you right back down to earth is there!
#TwinklyTuesday
I love this. Very good advice, I live how most people’s childhood has the same things in it although they might be totally different
Happy happy birthday!! This is such a good list. I think I’d tell myself that my belly is not not not fat. I have no idea why I ever thought that. And the travel one is spot on too.
Oh the travel I wish I had done more – I used to think I had no money! Now I have no money!! Thanks lovely x
It’s so true that they say you really don’t know what it’s like to be a mother until you are one. To think of all the worry I must have put mine through… Unfortunately she’s not around for me to tell her I finally understand. Great advice here. Oh if we could live our life over sometimes – got to make our own mistakes though, it’s how we grow.
You have no idea do you. Thanks for your comment lovely x
I love this list! Especially the being kind bit, something that everyone should be in my opinion. Also to the hair dye as well… I have dyed mine since I was 13 ish and it is only really the last two years that I have had to do so really, what a waste of all those hours of sitting with smelly gunk on my head 😉
Stevie x
I know I hate dying my hair! Always be kind – something I always say to my girls. Thanks lovely x
Superb advice! And the last one is spot on…it really does 🙁 Great post!! xx
Thanks Jess x
I would tell my younger self to think more pragmatically about the future. But not worry too much. Enjoy being young, you really only do it once, and as you say, it goes so quickly! #bloggerclubuk
Yes I wish I thought more about the future – I couldn’t see past the day! Thanks lovely x
Ah I love this – such a wise list, especially always calling home when you are late. I never knew the worry my parents must have gone through when I was a teenager. Thank you for linking up to #dreamteam xx
I know my poor parents! I was oblivious to it all! Thanks lovely x
I love this! Very wise indeed. I intent to tell my daughter similar things. The wear what you want one I love. I think I’d say that I should have been less keen to please and done more of what I wanted. Thanks for linking to #sharewithme
Thanks lovely x
What a list. Particularly great notes regarding boys and wearing what you want. #sharewithme
How many tears must of been wasted on boys!! Thanks lovely x
I would tell my younger self to not be so angry and realise that your real parents were the one you lived with and not really the King and Queen who were going to come back for you and take you to a better life #sharewithme
haha love this! Thanks Elaine x
Wise words and ones that I shall pass on to my teenage daughters – thank you 🙂 Alison #TheList
They probably wont listen!! Thanks Alison x
I agree with every single one of these – especially the hair dye – I started way too young! Thanks for linking up with #TwinklyTuesday
I know what a waste of time and money! Thanks lovely x
Could not agree more with this!! I started doing my lost recently and I think it almost replicates yours!! I would definitely be reiterating about boys, go and enjoy life your prince will come!! #fortheloveofBLOG
Thanks lovely x
Great advice. Especially the looking after skin….#FortheloveofBLOG
All brilliant advice here and words of wisdom. You’re right you don’t realise until you have a child, hoe much you relied on your Mum and how much they did for you. I wish I was a bit nicer in my teens now. Completely agree with you on the exercise point, I really need to do more of that but I’m struggling with time. Thanks so much for linking up at #fortheloveifBLOG. Claire x