13 Women Share Advice They’d Offer To Their 16-Year-Old Selves
Most of us fantasise in some way about how our lives may have been different: if only we’d taken more chances with our careers if only we’d ditched the loser boyfriend sooner if only we’d relocated to another city before meeting the loser lover, if only..! We would have undone so many mistakes and changed so many decisions if we had the ability to go back in time. Women on Reddit share advice they’d offer to their 16-year-old selves, and it’s really poignant. Let’s go through them.
1. “You’re not fat. You’re pretty. You know what you’re doing is wrong, but you’ll get better, be strong. Don’t rush into having sex, it’s okay to not be interested in it yet. You’re not a loser. Also, enjoy your life and your friends. You’ll never have this much free time.” – alimacallenotna
2. “Don’t let others dictate your worth. Know who you are and don’t let boys’ opinion of you dictate how you feel about yourself.” – Administrative_Bug26
3. “Take more care of yourself. I was way too nice to people. I would do things for people who wouldn’t do the same for me (mentally draining).” – S-With-A-g
4. “Do more. Go out with your friends. Sneak out if you have to. Have a sleepover with your friends. Cut your hair, do your nails and toes. Buy cute clothes. Make that trip to Rhode Island – who knows what will come of it? Last but not least, forget about that guy. He’s just a crush, and there are way more guys out there than him. Date other guys and stop being wishful about this dude.” – VanSquirrel26
5. “Don’t hate your mom, control your anger, make friends, socialize.” – Leviosa_notleviousaa
6. “Don’t rush it. Can’t hurry love or life. Everything will happen in their perfect time. Go break some rules and enjoy your youth! (just don’t get arrested lol) Grades don’t define you as a student nor a person. Strive to build good relationship with everyone (friends or strangers, you’ll learn a lot).” – buttercough_
7. “They’re not your friends. Don’t dumb yourself down (or change who you are) to fit in. Learn how to actually stand up for yourself, say no, and know that you are worth love, friendship and respect just as you are.” – devil_lish
8. “Break up with him. Dating an older guy isn’t as cool as you think and he’s not actually a nice person.” – OkConstruction9857
9. “Don’t look only to the future. It is OK to have dreams and to be on your way to accomplish them. But your life is lived right now! Enjoy the NOW.” – Kandelaar2021
10. “People do like you & aren’t judging you. Don’t be so scared of everyone.” – dragonfly-1001
11. “Your life is yours to make! Study and get the grades you are capable of. Make goals and don’t be afraid of failure. Failure is normal and doesn’t make you a loser! Sometimes life will go in a direction you aren’t prepared for, and that’s OK. Look at each decision as an avenue to explore and not a path you are sentenced to be on for life. You are enough as you are.”- Harriethair
12. “Any grown adult man hanging out with high school kids and says you’re so “mature for your age” is a fucking predator and too emotionally immature to get a woman his own age.” – CantChooseAFandom69
13. “I’d tell her to wait. She’ll meet the one someday. I’d tell her never to settle for less, not to be afraid of being alone. That a relationship isn’t a guarantee that she won’t feel alone. I’d tell her to trust her intuition. These men raising red flags are not for her. There’s a love that feels safe, and it feels home, wait for it, please. If only I could tell her this. If only I could go back in time with everything I know now, I will live, and love differently.”- stillyou1122
