Skip to main content

What would the older you tell the younger you?

If you were to write a note or letter to a much younger version of yourself -- say, your teenage self -- what would it say? Which life lessons or tips would you be sure to incorporate?

Here are a couple that I would include:

  • Enjoy your college years to the fullest. Once you graduate, you'll be entering the not-so-fun world of bills and responsibilities.
  • Don't rush to find love. It's better to take it nice and slow. You don't want to feel like you trudged through a significant chunk of your life with someone who turned out a poor fit.
  • As you get older, you'll encounter people at work and elsewhere who will try to get you to change. If you don't drink, you'll run into people who will pressure you to do so. They'll also question things like why you aren't married, why you don't have kids, why you're so reserved, why you didn't become a doctor or lawyer, and so on. What should you do? Never give in, of course. If people can't value you for who you are, they shouldn't be butting in -- and most definitely, they shouldn't call themselves your friends. 
  • Keep it simple. Don't buy material possessions that you know you'll hardly ever use. Don't purchase more car or house than you need. Stick to the basics. Live within or below your means. 
  • Always stay on top of your health. Never take your health for granted, no matter how healthy you presume yourself to be. Exercise regularly and eat healthy foods.
I would definitely tell my younger self that many of the things I was doing -- or not doing -- throughout childhood would eventually put me on the path to a stable, secure life. As a youth, I abstained from drugs, drinking, and smoking; started building up a savings account; stuck with the right crowd; and prioritized getting good grades above all else. All these things have culminated in an adult life I can certainly be proud of.

What are some things the older you would tell the younger you? Would you tell the younger you to continue or stop doing anything in particular?
Labels:

Comments

Unknown said…
I would thank (in advance), my younger self for listening to the sage advice of both my foster parents, Helen and James. They used a lot of quotes and anecdotes, but they so continue to make life worth living, loving, and sharing its blessings with others.

Examples:

"There's more than one way to skin a catfish."
"Don't all your eggs in one basket.'
"Always ask for what you want in life, but be prepared for either yes, or no. And remember this too, if you don't ask...the answer is always No!"
"It takes more muscles to frown, then it does to smile."

Highest and Best.
March 24, 2016 at 5:55 PM
Jeff Martinez, Writer & Proud Introvert said…
Jen,

Thank you so much for your reply, and welcome to the blog! Great examples!
March 24, 2016 at 8:23 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Do you have Isolophilia? Find out...

You're probably asking yourself, "What in the world does Isolophilia mean?" It sounds like it would be something negative, doesn't it?  After all, words that end in "philia" (e.g., pedophilia) tend to involve things we want nothing to do with. But Isolophilia isn't something all people deplore. In fact, introverts like me welcome it. Put simply, Isolophilia is defined as having a strong affinity for solitude. It describes a person who relishes being alone. While extroverts can only take so much solitude, we introverts find that it rejuvenates us. In order to recharge our batteries, we need to retreat to a quiet environment where we we're left alone to rest and/or gather our thoughts. Extroverts, on the other hand, become bored and drained when they're alone for a lengthy period of time. Social interaction is the fuel that drives them. So while an extrovert would probably do anything to avoid feelings of Isolophilia in most cases, an...
6 comments
Read more

No response from someone IS a response

Make no mistake about it: When you don't get a response from someone -- whether they fail to answer your texts or return your phone calls -- it is  still a response, and a powerful one at that. When a person fails to respond, it's a direct reflection of their interest -- or lack thereof -- in the relationship. Few things are more aggravating than having to hound a partner, friend, or relative for some sort of reply after we've reached out to them. Yes, we get busy from time to time, but that doesn't give anyone the right to leave the other person hanging. A terse text with something like "Been busy, will reach out soon" doesn't say much, but at least it shows some effort to bring the other person up to speed on why they've fallen off the radar. Failing to provide a response for weeks -- if not months -- communicates that you are just not a priority, and that you'll have to wait your turn to get this individual's attention. This is n...
6 comments
Read more

An important note to women about men and attraction

I was raised by my mom, grandma, and two older sisters.  Growing up, never did I ever take any interest in the girls at school who tended toward exposing more skin. I always treated them as I would my female family members -- with the utmost courtesy and respect.  And anytime I suspected that a male friend or acquaintance of mine adopted a hump-and-dump attitude toward women, I nixed them from my life. I held men who treated women as objects in very low regard, and still do to this day. If women feel empowered to show off their bodies because they love and work hard on their physique, more power to them. In other words, if they're doing it to please THEMSELVES and no one else, good for them.  However, those who do it specifically to curry men's favor are making a big mistake. It sends the wrong signals and actually makes it less likely that a man will want to stick around for a committed relationship (if that's what you want as anyway).  Granted, if you're not lookin...
Post a Comment
Read more