At twenty-one I was a single parent to a one year old boy, lived with my parents, and was going to college. Parts of my life were difficult but not really hard. At that time, I thought I had been through the worst of what I would encounter in life, and everything from that point on would be gravy. I was wrong.
My life from the time I was twenty-one has not always been pleasant, some of it was because of the choices I made, some from choices others made for me, and some was a combination of the two. There have been times in my life when I wished I could go back and do things differently, but not anymore. The past is the past and there is not a thing I can do about it.
However, if I could offer my 21 year old self some advice, there are a few things I would like to say to my younger self.
- Never settle. I know it is tempting, but never settle. It is easier in the short term, but it always makes things harder in the long run.
- See a counselor, you went through something traumatic when your husband left, and you need some help moving past it.
- Listen to your gut. If it is telling you that the person you are with might be an abuser, listen and then run.
- You are a precious and wonderful person and never let anyone tell you differently.
- Be kind to yourself, and love yourself.
If you had the opportunity, what would you say to your 21 year old self?
If only we could read these when we were that age, how much easier would life be!
My recent post A rant
Yeah, but being 21 we probably would not have listened to ourselves.
If only we could read these when we were that age, how much easier would life be!
My recent post A rant
Yeah, but being 21 we probably would not have listened to ourselves.
I would tell my 21 year old self to work harder and not collect so much damn debt. I would also tell me to bet on the Giants beating the Patriots in the Superbowl.
Not collecting so much debt is a good advice, the other is one is just cheating LOL
I would tell my 21 year old self to work harder and not collect so much damn debt. I would also tell me to bet on the Giants beating the Patriots in the Superbowl.
Not collecting so much debt is a good advice, the other is one is just cheating LOL
At my current age of 55, I've asked this question many times to myself. My answer eventually always devolves to the same thing, for the same reason. I'd not say anything to my 21 year old self.
Who I am today, the life I've led to get to today – is the man I've become. If I were to be able to alter one or the many things I've considered, I'd no longer be …. me.
It is pleasant to think, "if only I could've known….." this or that. "I could've begun, stopped, bettered so many mistakes, choices; helped, avoided….." so many things. But, I did not do those things at that time. At 21 and on.
Acceptance of life I've found means living with each decision and going on from that point. It is who I am, you are, we are.
A nice mental and emotional exercise that is useful to guide future decisions; however, not to delve too deeply into beyond reflection. One is what they've done, what they've thought and felt. Be satisfied with life. After all, it simply is – your's. I always end this thought-train with the realization that even with all the many, many mistakes I've made – I am still capable of doing something different; hopefully better, today and tomorrow.
At my current age of 55, I’ve asked this question many times to myself. My answer eventually always devolves to the same thing, for the same reason. I’d not say anything to my 21 year old self.
Who I am today, the life I’ve led to get to today – is the man I’ve become. If I were to be able to alter one or the many things I’ve considered, I’d no longer be …. me.
It is pleasant to think, “if only I could’ve known…..” this or that. “I could’ve begun, stopped, bettered so many mistakes, choices; helped, avoided…..” so many things. But, I did not do those things at that time. At 21 and on.
Acceptance of life I’ve found means living with each decision and going on from that point. It is who I am, you are, we are.
A nice mental and emotional exercise that is useful to guide future decisions; however, not to delve too deeply into beyond reflection. One is what they’ve done, what they’ve thought and felt. Be satisfied with life. After all, it simply is – your’s. I always end this thought-train with the realization that even with all the many, many mistakes I’ve made – I am still capable of doing something different; hopefully better, today and tomorrow.
Wow… loving Renard's comment. So true.
I would tell myself that everyone is so busy looking at their own perceived flaws that they're not noticing yours (first example: look at what you're doing). So stop worrying about all that and be yourself, whoever that may be right now.
Oh… and live in the moment, don't be afraid.
My recent post But hating BP feels good-
Wow… loving Renard's comment. So true.
I would tell myself that everyone is so busy looking at their own perceived flaws that they're not noticing yours (first example: look at what you're doing). So stop worrying about all that and be yourself, whoever that may be right now.
Oh… and live in the moment, don't be afraid.
My recent post But hating BP feels good-
I've thought a lot about this .. but my therapist caught me off guard a while back, while I was expecting her to assign me to write a letter to my younger self (although I wrote my youngerself a poem, I'll send you link if you're interested) instead, she asked me to write a letter to the me now from my older wiser self .. quite the excercise.
My recent post SEIZE THE DAY-
I've thought a lot about this .. but my therapist caught me off guard a while back, while I was expecting her to assign me to write a letter to my younger self (although I wrote my youngerself a poem, I'll send you link if you're interested) instead, she asked me to write a letter to the me now from my older wiser self .. quite the excercise.
My recent post SEIZE THE DAY-