If you met yourself from 10 years ago.....

what would you say?

One of the 5 books I'm reading this week is "The two lives of Charlotte Merryweather". It's a quick summer girly read, really good, but it really got me thinking.

The basic premise of the book is that 31 year old Charlotte meets the 21 year old version of herself, and creates this list of advice for her 21 year old self, based on her experiences of the last ten years.

So it got me thinking, what would I tell my 19 year old self??

1. You're not as fat as you think
2. Start talking to more people, not just people you went to HS with
3. Wear more makeup. I see pictures of myself looking much younger than my 19 years and I'm like "did I KNOW about makeuo?"
4. Get a better haircut and highlights
5. Maybe go to a college out of state OR start spending more times in the dorms (i commuted and never felt like part of the college scene)

So ladies, if you met a 10 years younger version of yourself, what would you tell her?

Re: If you met yourself from 10 years ago.....

if i met the 27 year old me, i would say...

1. don't marry that dope
2. you're a better mom than you give yourself credit for
3. don't do what your mother tells you
4. move, your body needs movement
5. mr right really is out there for you, don't rush it. he knows how to find you

Re: If you met yourself from 10 years ago.....

Re: If you met yourself from 10 years ago.....

That would be 31 year old me... just as I was getting into the best years.

I'd say "It's all good - keep doing exactly what you are doing because your life is only getting better!"

Re: If you met yourself from 10 years ago.....

To my 21 year old self:

1) manage your money better!!!!
2) Hug your brother more often. You are going to miss him more then you could ever realize when he is gone.
3) Stop kissing all those frogs...your prince is coming anyway.
4) You are skinny. Enjoy it now because 2 kids later your stomach is never going to look like that again.
5) Keep the Saturn!
6) Stay away from the bad boy...he is going to hurt you more then you could imagine.
7) Enjoy being young!

Message edited 7/12/2010 7:26:03 PM.

Re: If you met yourself from 10 years ago.....

HMMMM I would tel my 18 yr old self:

1. Enjoy college, enjoy your friends--you will miss them when they dont live down the hall
2. You are NOT fat
3. Purple mascara IS overkill and you WILL regret looking at it in pics
4. That cute boy you just met that is a year younger than you is your future DH
5. Live it up (not that I didnt )

Re: If you met yourself from 10 years ago.....

I would tell my 20 year old self...

1. Don't rush to graduate college! Enjoy these years because they are gone way too quickly

2. Put DOWN the credit card!

3. If it feels like you love him more than he loves you, it's true, and you deserve better than that.

4. Love yourself now - you will never be this skinny again!

5. Embrace your curls, fighting the frizz every day isn't worth it.

Re: If you met yourself from 10 years ago.....

to my 24 yr old self

1. u are so skinny----flaunt it now
2. save your $$$ while u live at home
3. learn to cook from mom
4. look for the rich boy
5. get better grades in law school

Re: If you met yourself from 10 years ago.....

To my 25yo self I would say:
1) Your boyfriend is a loser -dump him.
2) Maximize your 401K
3) Don't cut your hair short! Ever!
4) Stick w/ publishing - don't change career paths b/c of $$; it won't make you happy.
5) Visit your Grandparents more often. They won't be around forever

Re: If you met yourself from 10 years ago.....

I would tell my 16 year old self:
1. Have fun, enjoy life, enjoy your friends. Go out more.
2. When you go to college relax more. Stop worrying so much.
3. Spend time with your brother. You are going to miss him.
4. Be nicer to your Mom, she is going to be your best friend.
5. Exercise more and stop eating!
6. You are going to marry your hs sweetheart, , and buy a house, so relax and enjoy things as they come!
7. Don't go to school to be a teacher-there will be no jobs!

Re: If you met yourself from 10 years ago.....

I love this!
I would tell my 18-year old self...
Pick a better major!
Stop eating crap & start working out.
Treat your parents better.
Moisturize your face & stay out of the sun!
Don't worry so much, enjoy yourself & everything will work out fine.
Buy stock in Google, Amazon, etc.

Re: If you met yourself from 10 years ago.....

To 17 year old Matilde:

#1 When you get your car, DRIVE IT or you will develop a phobia. Drive it before you become an old nervous lady.

#2 You don't have to stress about money, you will be fine.

#3 You don't have to cry over your boyfriend, he is going to eventually marry you make him work harder

#4 You are skinny, dress like it

#5 The choices you are making are the right ones, they will lead you to where you need to be - drop the anxiety over all the little decisions.

Re: If you met yourself from 10 years ago.....

Re: If you met yourself from 10 years ago.....

Hmmm...I would tell my 26 yo self...
- stop being hung up on getting 'the ring' and just buy 'the house' (DH & I dated for 6y before we got engaged and have been together for 13)
- invest in 'google', etc

Re: If you met yourself from 10 years ago.....

this is great!!

I would tell my 25 y/o self:
1. Get out of Physical Therapy school and go to Occupational Therapy school in order to save your shoulder cartilage.
2. Wear tighter, hotter clothes because you can.
3. LOVE your brown hair, cause you're gray at 35.
4. Get your father to stop smoking any way you can. Now..

eta: 5. Stop eating meat it's bad for you.

Message edited 7/16/2010 10:40:33 PM.

Re: If you met yourself from 10 years ago.....

What I would tell my 21 year old self:

1. Save money and stop spending on the credit cards!!!

2. Travel more.

3. Its not to late to go away to college... live in a dorm and experience the whole "college" lifestyle.

4. That guy you met in the club- That will be your husband.

5. One day you will realize that material things will not be what makes you happy

6. Cherish your youth now. Enjoy your friends & party more.

7. Your not as fat as you think.

8. Your hot, actually. Enjoy it now because one you have kids, your body will never be the same.

9. Dont be so quick to jump into Corporate America. Your life will one day be consumed with a redundant 8-5 schedule.

10. Stay as far away from Finance as humanly possible. Do something creative & make that your career.

Re: If you met yourself from 10 years ago.....

Great question...

1. You will NEVER be a size 4 again... FLAUNT IT NOW!

2. "He's a keeper!" (I was with DH already)

3. Get out of your dead end job, time is money!

4. Travel now, before you have "real" responsibilities.

5. Your dreams will come true in the next 10 years.

Re: If you met yourself from 10 years ago.....

Re: If you met yourself from 10 years ago.....

I would tell my 19 year old self

1. always check for ticks when walking in the park or you will end up with Lyme Disease
2. watch your weight
3. be more active
4. don't chase after a guy. there is a good one right in front of you.
5. dont hold grudges
6. FINISH COLLEGE

Re: If you met yourself from 10 years ago.....

I would tell my 27 year old self:

1. mr. right is coming along next year
2. Sept 11th, 2001 - stay home
3. You think you're fat now? psh.. give it 10 years!
4. Stop smoking that stuff, its going to make you fat
5. Enjoy your grandma, she's not going to be here much longer

Re: If you met yourself from 10 years ago.....

I would tell 21 year old me

1. You're not fat
2. Never stop dancing
3. Stop drinking so much
4. You will get better with age

Message edited 11/16/2011 2:14:39 PM.

Re: If you met yourself from 10 years ago.....

This is a sweet idea !
I'd tell myself
1) don't cry over that jerk, you will not marry him, regardless of what you think
2) you are skinny... don't let him tell you otherwise !
3) run away from that job, ten years later you will be thinking what if
4) go back to school now !
5) your feelings on that "friend" of yours is true, dump her now !

Re: If you met yourself from 10 years ago.....

1. Go to a different school and don't let your mom pressure you.
2. Switch majors. Why are you going for engineering when you really love to write?
3. Start eating right and excersing now, not 5 years from now. You'll feel better about yourself.
4. Don't move into that house with the neighbors that make you want to pull your hair out.
5. You will not speak to anyone you are friends with now, so don't stress over your relationships. You will eventually fnd good people worthy of your friendship.
6. And always live by your new favorite quote so you can stop stressing about every stupid little thing: "Life is what happens while your making other plans."

Re: If you met yourself from 10 years ago.....

I would tell my 23 yr old self......

1) Finish those 2 classes you are missing and graduate now!

2) Talk to your brother everyday, tell him everything on your mind and dont stop till he tells you to shut up, hug him, go to NJ every chance you have to see him, save every e-mail, voice mail and card, memorize what his hands look like and what his hugs feel like b/c he is not going to get better no matter how positive you are trying to be his brain tumor is not going to just disappear.

3) You dont have to work in the city if you dont want to. Stop trying to live your step sisters life. She def is not worth it nor is she as "cool" as you think she is.

4) Be good to yourself....you are AWESOME and you will be fine. You have no idea how strong you are.

5) Find some type of FAITH in something....your gonna need it.

6) Your parents are def not the ppl you think they are. They are just as messed up and confused as you are so don't rely on them for your happiness or emotional support. Losing a child is going to kill them.

7)Just start taking care of yourself! Exercise, eat right and I promise you will love being a size 4 is sooooo much more than eating that brownie!

8) You want to learn how to play the guitar and paint right????? Well start now b/c in 10 yrs you will still want to learn how.

9) Don't worry about the fact that you don't have a b/f & no one asks you out on dates....you are getting married and you wont freakin believe who to!!!! That guy in HS who used to flirt w/you at lunch & stare @ your bobbies....YUP I swear!!!!

10) Its ok that you have no idea what you want to do w/your life or where you "belong". In 10 yrs you prob still wont know what you want to do and you will be exactly where you belong....back in your hometown married to the kid that used to stare at your boobies.

11) Stop spending so much time w/that "friend" of yours. She does not know everything, although she will do anything to lead you to believe it, she does not care about you as much as you care about her and most importantly....shes an idiot. Stop wasting your time!

12) One last thing....Hey idiot, your grandmother died from lung cancer.....STOP SMOKING!!!!!!

Re: If you met yourself from 10 years ago.....

Wow, this thread really makes you think........

Here's to my 18, about to be 19 year old self in a month......

1. Be nicer to that guy you will meet in a few months - he is Mr. Right

2. Don't worry about your friend drama, you will loose touch with most of them after college anyway.

3. Stop taking everything so seriously

4. Work less, take on more loans, they are easier to pay back when you have a real salary, not $10 per hour

5. Follow your dreams and live in NYC when you graduate, don't listen to your parents

6. GPA's don't really matter, don't worry so much

7. You are the skinniest that you will ever be - accept it and flaunt it

8. Don't move in to that apartment with those terrible roommates!!!!

9. Cherish your grandparents, hear and write their stories and take pictures

10. Don't take that trip senior year or take the trip, but fly, don't drive!