Things I'd Tell My Teenaged Self

Continuing from this week's earlier post on mentoring with the Girls' Network, here's some things I'd share with my teenage self if I was mentoring her.

No doubt if I share any of these with the Tubblet, she'll react in the same way as I would have at the same age.    Part of being a teenager is the core belief that all adults know nothing ... Particularly the ones you're related to.  

Stop mooning over that boy.  He's just not worth it.  Your prince will come.  Prince, at time of writing, is on the sofa watching a crap action film.  

People are nice.  Well most people.  Be nice back.

You can't force friendships.  School friends will come and go.  Forcing friendships only makes you unhappy.  Treasure the good friends you have for as long as you have them.

See the big picture.  There's more to life than school and getting into university.  (I crashed and burned so went to University later.  Going later meant I appreciated the experience more). Family, friends, hobbies and church are also important. 

Nobody else has a clue either.  Everybody is faking being an adult as it doesn't come with a manual.

Embrace your quirks.  I wish I'd learnt to accept myself, embrace my flaws and be happier in my own skin earlier. I was a gobby nerd at school and wasn't even remotely cool.  I'm now a proud gobby nerd and not remotely cool.  

Money doesn't make the world go round.  It's nice to have your own money, but no amount of shopping replaces a good memory.  So make some!  Savings are also important.  Build some.

You can do it.  Most things are achievable if you're willing to put the work and effort in.  (Actually this is a life lesson for any age).

Nobody cares if you have a tummy or a bum.  Most people are too busy worrying about the size of their own tummies and bums to worry about yours.  Lose weight and tone up if you want, but do it for yourself rather than for others.

Goals don't come with a time limit.  Just because you're not married or worked out what you want to do by the time you're x years old doesn't mean you never will.  Nobody is keeping a record apart from you.  Go have fun!

Trust your instincts.  Sometimes that inner voice telling you whether or not something is a good idea is the right one!

Parents are humans.  Yes we are!  Get to know them as people, learn to love them and forgive them for the mistakes they've made.

PE may be evil, but exercise is okay.  Try and get in shape now.  It'll be harder later.  

Life isn't fair.  It just isn't.  The quicker you realise that and Let It Go, the happier you'll be. 

Admit you're wrong.  We all get things wrong.  That's okay.  Admit you're wrong, accept that there is a better way to do things and apologise to people you've let down.  Then go and put things right.

The standards are too high.  The reason that you don't look like the girl or the boy in the magazine picture is because they're photoshopped.  Just do what you can with what you can. You look fine!

The style will come.  It may take a while, but it will!  Eventually you'll find what works.

Don't easily offend and don't be easily offended.  There's a lot to be said for developing a thick skin.  Most people aren't deliberately unkind, just thoughtless.  

Pick your battles. But once you've picked them, don't cave at the first sign of resistance.  

What would you tell your younger self if you could?

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Abi's favourite post on The List - You Baby, Me Mummy