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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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stick up for myself more and realise some people arent worth the effort! be happy and dont let things and people drag you down! x
Look after your teeth – they’ve got to last you a life time!
I’d tell my younger self that it gets better no matter how bad you think things are.
Enjoy every minute, especially your children growing up. Time goes so fast!
Be confident!
Stress less and save more!
Do not let people belittle you.
enjoy life life as much as you can you onely live one
Don’t eat all those pies, they will come back to haunt you!
See a bit of the world before you get tied down in bills
I’d tell my younger self that although it may seem career is one of the most important things, in the end it all comes down to family and friends and who you have around you. It’s so important to build a strong network of loving people.
Oh my goodness this is a good one….. well they say youth is wasted on the young and it is soooo true! I would say – don’t waste away your youth thinking you have plenty of time, because it rushes by. Pursue your dreams and goals today – not tomorrow. Don’t be sidetracked by negative people who try to put the dampers on you, and don’t let useless boyfriends waste your time. Accept only the best treatment for yourself – you are worth it – be the leading star in your own life – shine and be confident!
Never, ever sell yourself cheap to anyone for any reason at any time. Know that you have value as a person and aim to increase that value every single day by living a good and decent life through everything you say and do.
Have more fun
Enjoy your life!
lifes to short, do what you want to do and let no one get in your way
One day at a time – don’t rush through life!
Make sure not to get yourself in debt, or it’ll cause problems down the line!
Emily Knight recently posted…Dia de Los Muertos @ Hamilton House: Friday, October 31st
Relax the things you would like will come in due course
If I could tell my younger self some things it would be…
Age 16 – Make the most of this family holiday, it will be your last and in a few months your dad will be in hospital so spend some time with him before he forgets who you are! (bleed to the brain)
Age 17 – Even though your dad recovered, he’s got terminal throat cancer. Tell him how much you love him because 39 days before you 18th birthday, he’ll be gone forever and you’ll be heartbroken for the rest of your life. Forget that 18th birthday party – you won’t want it. Cry at the funeral, don’t try to hold it together, you’re young and this is really hard.
Age 18 – Don’t leave college… stick at it! (left when dad was ill, went back but something happened and didn’t complete it) Talk about your grief. Cry – that is ok!
Age 19 Yes you’re pregnant, you’ll be 20 when baby boy arrives and guess what? You will be fine! Ignore the rude, horrible comments, those people mean nothing! Most of your ‘friends’ won’t be your friends anymore but you’ll make new ones, real ones, less in numbers but more in meaning!
Age 20 Back up your photos of little ones first Christmas – they get deleted by accident 🙁 !
Age 25 Your birth of baby no.2 isn’t going to go to plan, it’s going to be terrifying (cord prolapse, c-section under general) but your baby will be fine! oh and stop eating dairy as your baby is allergic to it…corr that would of been helpful to know.
Wouldn’t it be great to just give yourself a little heads up!