me, at about 6 months old (spookily like Fin!)
This is a pretty random post, and has came about in a very random way, but seeing that many of my most successful posts have been written in a similar way I thought I’d go with it!
Over the weekend I was listening to the radio and on came Ooh La La – otherwise known as I wish that I knew what I know now, when I was younger by The Faces. That tells you a lot about the radio station I listen to (BBC Radio 6 BTW!)
At 32 years old I’m no where near over the hill, but it made me start to think about what I’d tell a younger version of myself. Once I started thinking about it, I couldn’t stop. Not because I’m unhappy with where I am in life right now, I’m really happier than I dreamed I could be, but because there are so many little reassurances and golden nuggets of advice that would have made my journey here so much smoother. So here they are, the things I’d tell my younger self, and a reminder of some things to tell Fin and any other children I might have in the future…
- Everything will workout alright in the end
- Not all men / boys go for thin girls (so have more confidence)
- Wear suncream and make sure your moisturiser has an SPF in it (‘cause hello sun damage)
- Moisturise, moisturise, moisturise
- Don’t go on the pill, get to know your body better instead
- You can’t eat your emotions so don’t even try
- Drink more water
- Don’t put things off until ‘x,y,z’ happens
- You are worth investing in now
- Exercise can be fun
- You’re an introvert, and that’s ok, here is how to handle that…
- Only one credit card at a time please
- Listen to the signals your body gives you and learn from them
- You don’t have to go out drinking every weekend if you don’t want to
- You’ll never regret any of those tattoos – you’ll love them as signs of the journey you’ve been on
- Brush your teeth and floss more, don’t be scared of the dentist
- Sleep AS MUCH AS YOU CAN. A day will come when all you’ll want to do is sleep, so enjoy it while you can!
- You are enough
- Be more confident – you are SO much smarter, more capable and beautiful than you realise
What would you tell a younger version of yourself? What key things have you learned in life that you’ll tell your children as they grow up?
Ah some very similar lessons here that I would tell myself. Being ok with being an introvert is a great one – have you read the book ‘Quiet’ by Susan Cain? It’s really good and along that theme. I think telling yourself everything works out how it should in the end is a good one – how much angst and stress at school and uni did we all go through?! Great post, it’s got me thinking :) x
I haven’t read that book but I definitely need to check it out!
I love this Laura. I would say very similar things too. Just to believe, love and accept myself for all that I am :)
Glad you enjoyed the post Lauren, how great would it be to go back in time and be your own cheerleader!
So many are on my list too and I’ve been thinking about it a bit recently – listening to 6music and having young babies (mine’s 8months) obviously does this to our brains!!
Haha it must have that effect Rachel!
Wise words and some familiar ones too! I think it’s worth reminding ourselves of them at any age!
Thanks Sue! Definitely some good things to remind ourselves of!
I think it is a great thing to think about. I would want to be more confident in my decisions, but equally you learn by your mistakes. I do wish I had found running sooner, because I didn’t think I would enjoy it and now I can’t imagine not running.
I know what you mean, although running isn’t my favourite, so go and tell myself that one day I’d be capable of running a half marathon would have been amazing!
It’s amazing how much you and Finley look almost identical! He really is your little mini-me, just a boy, of course!
I loved this and can definitely identify with the majority of the things mentioned. I think reminding myself that “everything will work out ok in the end” is one I need to remind myself every day. I’m such a worrier and always think the worst will happen/things just won’t go my way. Life must do what life must do, I suppose!
She’s So Lucy
Haha I know it’s crazy isn’t it! He really is my little male mini me ;-) Honestly, everything will work out right if you believe it will :-)
Oh god I’m reading some of those going…”should do that…should do that”. Moisturise more, sun tan lotion, flossing…eeek! But you’re points are so spot on. I’m not sure what I’d tell myself to be honest…I wouldn’t change anything really in my life. I firmly believe that everything happens for a reason and we are who we are today because of the steps we’ve taken. But yeah, I should use more sun tan lotion and floss ;-)
Haha, yep flossing is a big one for me! I think you are so right, we are who we are for all things that have made up our lives to be as they are now, good and bad, no need for regrets!
Loved reading this. especially the introvert bit. I am currently reading the book ‘Quiet’ which shows the power of introverts and I think we are amazing, although we have our little weakness, well like everybody else. The key is just to accept yourself, sooner than later, and stop worrying about what other people think.
What would I say to younger version of myself? I would say ‘you are beautiful just the way you are, you are enough’ and ‘Eat less sugar, it ages you!’ :-)
Petra
I definitely need to check out this book, a few people have mentioned it now! Love what you would tell your younger self!
I love this post! The ones that come out of nowhere are often the best :)
Another recommendation for “Quiet” by Susan Cain, if you haven’t read it already. I’ve got a post coming up about it next month, but it’s helped me understand so much about myself, introversion, and why it isn’t always black and white.
I also wish my younger self knew about the perils of the pill. I didn’t realise how much it affected me until I stopped taking it for an operation – never wish to put my body though that again. x
Looking forward to that blog post Bexx!
Gosh, I wish I could tell myself a few things! Mainly about body confidence, weight loss/gain and DEBT! Avoid the credit card would probably be quite high on my list!!!
Thanks Laura :-) x
Haha yep I could definitely do with reminding myself of that one Tam!