COMMENTS

18 responses to “Open Thread Update: Advice to Your Younger Selves”

1. Show people that you love and care about them. However, if they don’ t reciprocate, move on. Don’t waste time with people who don’t care enough about you.

   Reply to Margaret R

2. I’d stand up to my parents, make them know that I’m intelligent and capable. I’m much more than they believe. I’ve told people in trailers to get off our land . My parents didn’t know that.. I was on horseback, Tonto. I said something to the trailer and I said I would call the sheriff if they didn’t leave.

   Reply to Nancy H

3. I’d say look beyond what you are familiar with to other possibilities outside of what you know. It is a big world and you don’t have to stay in your current location. Don’t let others tell you, you can’t do it. Get a good education even if it isn’t easy. The education is it’s own reward. Don’t miss any weddings, funerals or birthdays. Those are important events in the lives of your friends and family and you need to be there to share it.

   Reply to Karen Bridger

4. I’d tell my younger self, don’t let anxiety win. Try new things, meet new people, go out of your comfort zone. Don’t let the criticism of others decide what you’re going to do or not do. Be true to yourself.

   Reply to Debby Southwell

   1. Love this, good for any age right? Speaks to my 75 year old self.

      Reply to Pam

5. I’d recognize love more often. Many times I ended relationships because of things I didn’t like. However love was still present.
   I’d be less curious about things I knew were not for me like drugs and gambling.
   Never saved money like I should have. Although I’ve always had what I needed I could’ve done better.

   Reply to VivianL Presley

6. Wow, as usual I’m the ‘bad seed’ because none of your comments mention mistakes like using drugs or having sex because you wanted so much for the guy to like you.
   To younger me: I forgive you for the terrible mistakes you made that changed who you were meant to be. You’ve never accepted the possibility your parents might have said or done more to impress upon to be very aware, love yourself, be proud of yourself, you’re a good girl, you’re smart, and your little sister looks up to you.

   Reply to Cora Lynn

7. I wish I had researched more available options for a major in college. I just listened to what other people said I would be good at. Anyway, in the 60s not a lot of options were available to women, especially in small States like Wyoming.

   However, I just felt fortunate to be going to college at all! Eventually, I did make my way around to doing work more suitable for me. I learned a lot along the way!

   Reply to Doris Sanders

8. i WISH i HAD HAD MORE FUN. I STUDIED HARD, MARRIED AND HAD CHILDREN, NEVER STOPPED WORK AND WHEN I RETIRED I DIDN’T KNOW HOW TO HAVE FUN AND ENJOY LIFE. AT 77 YEARS OF AGE, I HAVE FINALLY LEARNED QUITE A FEW THINGS ABOUT ENJOYING LIFE. BUT THERE ARE MANY THINGS THAT I SHOULD HAVE DONE WHEN I WAS YOUNG. I WILL MISS THEM FOREVER.

   Reply to CONCEIÇÃO BRITO - Portugal

   1. If you love someone (family, friend or romantic partner), tell the person while you still have the chance.

      Reply to Diane Katz

9. Oh the things I wish I could change! But then, I wouldn’t have the son that I treasure, this little house that’s all mine in a community I adore, the friends that I enjoy being with, the church that has deepened my understanding of the Bible & helped me to see the thousands of blessings I’ve received. Who can know ‘what might have been?’. To my younger self I would say: Step out of your comfort zone, because that is where true growth and amazing adventures happen!

   Reply to Nancy C

10. Stop trying to make others happy. You cannot change anyone. Only they can make that decision to find joy. Accept it.

    Reply to C. Marie

    1. I absolutely agree with you 100%! I spent most of my life trying to make someone happy who just didn’t want to be happy. I could not make him happy; he had to make that decision himself. Being happy is just NOT what he wants to do. It took me years to realize that.

       Reply to Annie

11. My husband’s answer is: I’d tell myself to be more bold.

    Reply to Cathie Werley

12. I would not listen to all the negative things that people (family) told me about myself.example when they told me I was stupid I have worked hard at proving them and myself wrong. I would have learned self love is more important than other people’s acceptance. I would embrace radical acceptance and dealt with things as they were and not live in a fantasy world of wishing things were different. I would tell myself no matter what “Never give up.”

    Reply to judith M Lewis

13. I would be more self directed in planning a career rather than marrying at 21 and becoming a mom at 22 which postponed all of that. Instead of becoming a nurse at 47, I should have done so in the late 1960’s and gone to serve in Vietnam, then I would feel I had contributed to my country.

    Reply to apc

14. At 80, I barely regret any of my actions over the decades. I stayed in a relationship too long, but I learned a lot about myself from that. I do regret some inactions, especially not asking my parents and grandparents to tell me their stories when I was a teenager and young adult. Growing up, I didn’t care to listen . Now I wish I’d listened and written down the stories. I would have understood my family better — not only their histories, but their decisions about their own lives and mine.

    Reply to Joan Price

15. Be true to yourself. Don’t be so keen to be a people pleaser ( even subconsciously) or keep the peace , that you allow others to traverse your boundaries to the extent you lose sight of who you really are.

    Reply to Deb Brooks