What’s one lesson you’d tell your younger self?

[u/softlyunhingedd]

[u/PonqueRamo]

You don't have to stick with a career you chose when you were 17, it's ok to change it at any age.

[u/Milk_Man21 → u/PonqueRamo]

YES! It was always my plan to change my career in my 20s.

[u/Icy_Indication_6236 → u/Milk_Man21]

Was it hard to change career paths after you've already gotten a degree in something else?

[u/Icy_Indication_6236 → u/Milk_Man21]

Was it hard to change career paths after you've already gotten a degree in something else?

[u/Milk_Man21 → u/Icy_Indication_6236]

I'm sorry, should have clarified. At 18 I did go into college but didn't pass due to health related reasons. It was always intended to be a "this puts food on my table while I figure out what I want to do with my life" thing. As I didn't pass (and the pandemic severely worsened my health, all the stress), I just worked at a grocery store for a few years while working hard to figure it out (not easy with your health so bad. Good health=good decisions). So I didn't receive a degree, and as I wasn't established yet, fairly easy.

[u/Own-Natural3266]

You are actually loved. Everything you've experienced is valid. You are a very angry person because there is so much grief you need to deal with. Please trust a therapist to use EMDR with you. I promise, it could help. Please don't give up.

[u/Mysterious-Chain5833 → u/Own-Natural3266]

This struck me. Thank you

[u/Own-Natural3266 → u/Mysterious-Chain5833]

Oh good! I was hesitant to type it, but I figured others would relate.

[u/Hot-Hearing-7505]

Stand up straight, People are mean to you, Ignore them and focus on yourself, you have to be clean, dress good and actually take care of yourself, then you'll realize, you were not what they've always push you as, You have great potential, the thing that separates you from who I am now isn't just the body, but the attitude

[u/ArtBetter678]

You will become the average of the five people you spend the most time with.

Choose wisely.

[u/kitterkatty → u/ArtBetter678]

Some tired long suffering always on duty snarky gritty cnas, three workaholics that seem like they’re on coke but it’s natural, and one super kind and caring person that loves to gossip it’s so great lol I can hear her signature starting words like a kiffness song. https://youtube.com/shorts/COnfYvMw9dQ?si=Xp8WEiUhQoC7NZ5V (not that one, a more cheerful one I just like it bc it’s the vibe of our work)

[u/PikaGoesMeepMeep]

To be honest with myself what I want and don't want out of MY life. Then work towards that and block out family criticism. I realize I kept telling myself "just get through [school/this job/this illness/this move...] and then you can start living your life." Now I'm middle aged looking back at a life of just-make-it-through-the-next-thing. It feels like I've been in the ocean, refusing to look at where I'm swimming, just treading water and checking boxes, and now I've arrived at a strange, small island and I see the islands I actually wanted way on the horizon, and I no longer have the energy to try to swim all the way there. That may be an illusion, my life may still be long, but my point is that I have been swimming in wrong or arbitrary directions without stopping to question it.

[u/Primary-Grapefruit77 → u/PikaGoesMeepMeep]

You just summed up my life so well.

[u/-InTheSkinOfALion- → u/PikaGoesMeepMeep]

Beautiful awareness. I wish you more awareness, appreciation and a depth of presence in every the moment that you stand.

[u/daverave999]

You have ADHD and you need to get it medicated IMMEDIATELY, even if it costs a lot.

[u/Kiitsune69]

"stop caring about what other people think. It doesn't matter, and trying to fit their standards for you will only cause you an incredible amount of pain. Stop caring, just do your own thing and be proud of who you are because the only person you need to be enough for is you."

[u/TonyTornado]

You gotta put in the work for yourself to make good with yourself

[u/ernie-bush]

Stop partying now no one cares how fucked up you get

[u/Exotic-Repeat3632]

Study philosophy books instead of personal development books to become a better person

[u/splahy → u/Exotic-Repeat3632]

Thx

Maybe I should start doing that

[u/bunnysprkle]

fr fr, i'd tell mini me than nobody actually knows wtf they're doing, just keep vibin n learning

[u/WolverineKey373]

It always works out. You might feel at times, it’s not but again you were never comfortable with patience

[u/bbgun142]

Give in and go all out on something, don't just stew on the fantasy of what could be, just be and do it even if it dose not work out

[u/jessilynn713]

I’d tell her: “You don’t have to shrink to be loved.” So much of my younger self thought being small, quiet, or less “me” would keep people close. The truth is, the right people can handle your whole heart.

[u/gorcbor19]

I’ve thought about this a lot because it’s a common question on the addiction recovery podcasts I listen to.

I’d try to convince my younger self to not drink alcohol and explain the crap I went through for 25+ years thinking I was just having fun.

Would I listen to myself? Who knows. I knew everything when I was 17, despite everyone telling me my family all were alcoholics I thought “not me, I can handle it.” Turns out I couldn’t.

[u/-InTheSkinOfALion-]

Learn to perceive people’s projections. Then you’ll stop reacting to them as if they’re speaking your truth and begin to trust your own sense of identity.

Learn to perceive your own projections so you can learn who you are beyond your own identity.

[u/VengefulSnake1984]

Betrayal is not a reflection of you, its a reflection of them. Cut them loose and be free of the scum.

[u/chidi-sins]

Don't waste energy punishing yourself for having different needs and characteristics than my family

[u/hexicana]

DONT DATE HIM

[u/Bishopart6046]

Friends will come and go. You cannot rely on them wholeheartedly. Create your own path, stay strong on your own path.. and if you are willing to offer help, then do it, but don't expect mutual offerings or that they will return the favor. Some people are just out for themselves, unbeknowst. And that's OK, its just life.

[u/NinRnNikki]

None of those that you strive for will even be in your life tomorrow. Live for you with no regrets! Find validation within yourself, worry about you and not all those swirling around called “friends”! Don’t apologize for who you are and know loving yourself is key and don’t feel bad for rising yourself up and walking for yourself- it’s not selfish! You only have you at the end of the day! Live for you babygirl in the day so that you never look back and wonder! Grasp the unknown and make it known to yourself!

[u/Queen-of-meme]

I'm sorry if it takes time for me to see you and hold you but once I have you I'm never letting you go.

[u/mollyaclarke]

It’s okay to make mistakes. that’s how you learn and move forward.

[u/ThatAIGuy55]

Morning Routine, gym daily.

Dont overthink

bad habits are bad. do not do them LOL the brain loves novelty but what goes up MUST GO DOWNNNNNNN

[u/ashleyash200]

Stand up for yourself!don’t keep silent and let people walk over you! Fight back and speak up!you matter and your feelings too so no one should make you feel small!

[u/splahy]

Try it out and believe in yourself

You are good enough

[u/BasedMellie]

Don’t let yourself be used and undervalued for your exceptional ability to learn things quickly and adapt.

[u/FrankBuns]

Despite everything, it’s still you.

[u/Fizzabl]

Don't do a masters degree, study at home

[u/ChanceFruit5065]

moved to nyc at 25 knowing literally nobody. spent my first month eating takeout alone watching netflix. thought i was gonna hate it but... honestly taught me i could handle being uncomfortable

[u/Wild-Wren]

Treat your health as though you're the only one coming to save you, and savor the surprise when you're not.

It would kick off so many positive life changes.

[u/EvilDarkCow]

Give a damn. You're not going to accomplish a dad gum thing spending your late teens and early 20s in front of the Playstation.

[u/Theredviperalt]

Quit using weed and nicotine so much.

[u/WarmClassroom4997]

I'd tell myself that stop trying to rush life and just enjoy the season you’re in, it won’t come back.

[u/kitterkatty]

Do not get married. Don’t even date muahaha

[u/annsang]

"to calm down."

[u/Maggiewhy]

Get healthy and stay consistent with your diet. Have a healthy work life balance and don’t sweat the shit you have no control over (i.e., other people’s choices).

[u/Internal_Bedroom5955]

I was much happier when I was younger, so no lesson

[u/amandahontas]

It's alright that you've never had a boyfriend, because you're actually gay. Also, please exercise more.

[u/ihatelaundrydays]

If a friend steals from you, cut them off!

[u/BTC-Dad]

I would tell my younger self that the chaos around you does not have to define the future you build. I grew up believing struggle and instability were just the way life would always be, but it is not true. Cycles do not end by accident. They end when you decide to take one different step at a time.

You do not need the whole map before you start. Even the smallest choices, saving a little money, choosing peace over anger, creating stability in one corner of your life, can grow into something much bigger. Every decision to do it differently is proof that you are building a new path.

[u/Millui]

It costs nothing to be kind.

[u/_FIRECRACKER_JINX]

to STOP drinking, vaping, and smoking weed, because the 35 year old version of me is diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer, and it's largely NOT genetic, meaning that the 20 year old version of me triggered it with over a decade of smoking, vaping, and drinking.

Please STOP smoking weed, vaping, drinking!

[u/kronki_poo]

Stand up for yourself. Trust your guts. The best decision is made by both heart and brain . Don’t stress! Don’t trust people and open up too early .
Have firm boundaries.

[u/fujicakes00]

Don’t ever sell yourself short