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To the 15 year old me.
There are so many big decisions ahead right now. School is coming to an end. and although you have always known what you want to do with your life, people are making you doubt yourself, pushing you into courses and jobs that just aren’t you. Don’t take that part time job in the solicitors that people tell you will ‘open doors’ for you – it will be the wrong doors. Follow your heart, stick with what you have always known, and stand up for how much you love it, how you it really is. If you don’t, you will end up rubbing along nicely at college but always knowing that tis isn’t the right place for you right now – and trust me, in a few months you will end up doing what you should have done all along. But you wasted a few months doing something you didn’t love. Life’s too short – go for it now.
To the 20 year old me.
It’s fantastic that you have found the love of your life already, it really is. You’re one of the lucky ones. Treasure it. Don’t rush it. You don’t have to get married and buy a house right now. Sit back, go with the flow and enjoy the freedom of being with that special person. Suck it and see for a while – and if it’s still as fantastic next year, or the year after that, then jump in with both feet, grab it and don’t let go. If he’s the one, he will still be there, by your side.
To the 21 year old me.
21 feels so grown up, right? But in reality, you are still so young. You have a tiny baby in your arms, and it’s the best feeling in the world, but the birth was horrific, traumatic, devestating. Am I right? Get some help now. Please don’t let it fester. Time isn’t agreat healer, and this will come back to bite you on the bum later in life. It might be next week, next month, when you have another child, all of those times. But it isn’t ever going away until you deal with it, push for the help you need. It’s nothing to be ashamed of, and the sooner you are healed, the sooner you can enjoy every second with that precious little bundle in your arms.
To the mum of 2.
2 beautiful children – how blessed do you feel right now? It’s amazing. There is nothing better. Don’t let it be tarnished by that cloud hanging over you again. Call it what you will – postnatal depression, post traumatic stress, it doesn’t matter. Reach out again, get the help, don’t be rushed back to work and putting the babies in childcare if you can’t handle that right now. Money is important, but it’s not everything. Cut back, watch every penny and you can do it. Look at other avenues – what do you love doing? Writing maybe? Think outside the box, stop caring what others think and jump. You will never, ever regret trying. You will only regret the things you didn’t do.
To the mum of 3.
Another bundle of joy, another one who fought hard to be here. Focus on that, and not the days spent watching the machines beeping, helping him breathe and feed. They seemed like long days then, but in the long run, those days are short. The rest of his life is what matters. Look around you. At 30 years old you have a home, a wonderful husband, 3 amazing, incredible children and a job you love. That’s all you have ever wanted, and maybe sometimes you need to stop rushing around, cuddle those babies and kiss their little heads. They are small for such a short time, and you are missing it. You’re missing it.
This is me now. When I look back at some of the decisions I made, I know that I was reckless and foolish, but show me a young person who isn’t. The decisions I made, no matter how silly they seem now, led me to where I am today. And for that, I am thankful. Everyone wonders where they would be if they took a different path, it’s human nature. There are things I still need to take my own advice on, and as a very good friend told me last week ‘Chase that up – some demons still need laying to rest’.
If you had the chance, what would you say to your younger self?
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I would tell my younger self not to worry about silly things so much and just to enjoy life as much as possible
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I would say ‘slow down and enjoy’
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I would tell my younger self to never live with regrets and to enjoy each day as if it where the last 🙂
Learn as much as you can as it helps in later life and helps to earn you more money. Save hard
Don’t be in such a rush towards the next stage of life
There’s so much I would say to my younger self – the main thing being to deal with my weight problem while I was young, rather than waiting until I had 6 stone to lose in my late twenties. I’ve nearly done it now & feel so much better, I so wish I’d done it years ago. I’d have been far happier x
I wrote a younger self post here if you fancy a read: http://www.mrsbishopsbakesandbanter.co.uk/2014/09/a-letter-to-my-younger-self.html
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be kind to yourself, it will work out in the end
To believe in myself a little more
You’ve got a lot to learn.Lesson number 1, don’t trust anyone.
Be confident and go for your dreams
Don’t overthink thinks – enjoy yourself.
@maggie6789
I would tell my younger self to be more confident with my appearance and my opinions, and to tell the people you love, that you really care.
I would tell myself to not upset myself over unsuitable boys and not wait so long top have children. I wish my hubby and i had started a few years before just so we’d get more time with them xx
Come out of the closet and enjoy life, don`t put it off and loose out. People will understand in time.
Be confident and speak up for yourself
Lovely post. I know what I would say to my younger self BUT I know my younger self wouldn’t have listened.
There are so many things I’d like to say to my younger self… if only I knew then what I know now! One of the most important would be to stop worrying about my looks and appearance – it’s only now, looking at old photos, that I realise how young and pretty I was!
I would tell my younger self not to get caught up in all the drama and not to fight with my mum so much because she becomes one of my best friends xx
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Have fun,respect yourself and don’t gossip.
This is such a good idea not only is it refreshing to write back to yourself but other mothers may read this and understand too! x