Advice I'd tell my teenage self

 Well hello to you my reader chums! Being a teenager seems miles away now and honestly, I can't even remember that age. I'm 24 now so it's been 6 years since I was last a proper teenager (if you count turning an adult as 18.) I'm nothing like my 18-year-old self and since being in my twenties, I've learnt so much about who I am, learnt to love myself and have grown as a person immensely.

Advice I'd give to my teenage self

I could write a book on so many things I'd like to tell my teenage self. I wish I could go back and tell myself not to worry over so many little things, that perfection doesn't exist, confidence will come with time and true friends stick around no matter what. Learning to set boundaries, that it's okay not be okay, put yourself first at times, and being kind always are the most important things in life. Experiencing everything life has thrown at me and learning to love myself has been such a game changer and I would love to go back and give 16-year-old me a hug and say it's all going to be okay.

I've written quite a lot of reflective posts about body confidence, self-love, self-care, and lessons I've learnt growing into the woman I am today - and wanted to use this post to share some of my fellow blogger's advice on what they'd tell their teenage self. I took to Twitter to ask the question and many lovely bloggers have sent me some wonderful responses I had to share!

'I would love to tell my teenage self that nothing really matters. As a teenager, I felt like everything going on in my High School, in my home life, going on with me was going to 'define me forever' but it turns out none of it matters. When you graduate school and leave it, you never see those people again, you can leave the town you live in, you can change your entire life, so don't stress so much about what is happening right now, as it will not be what defines you.' - Jupiter from Life with Jupiter and Dann

'1. As important as education and your grades are, the most important thing you need to spend time doing is trying as many different hobbies as possible. When you leave school you’re kinda thrown into the deep end and it’s good to have a rough idea of what you want to do career-wise. There’s plenty of time to think about it but if you start early then it’s less likely you’ll waste your early 20’s trying to figure it all out. 

2. You may have all these feelings that you don’t know what to do with such as anxiety, depression or just feeling lost but I promise you it gets better. The people you try to impress won’t matter to you as you get older so never forget who you are and embrace your individuality. Not everyone will like you in life and it’s really okay! You don’t have to like them either!' - Lozza from Girly Gabble.

'One thing I would tell my teenage self is that it is perfectly fine to be alone than be in bad company. In secondary school, I struggled with navigating clique culture. Many times, I found myself hanging out with fake friends, simply because I didn't want to stand out and be viewed as a loner. However, looking back now I can see that I would have found greater happiness in just doing my own thing and not worrying about what anyone else thought. When you learn to be comfortable being different, it builds character and lays the foundation for success in many other areas of life. Although it may be hard in the moment, school drama is just one of those things that you have to approach with a 'this too shall pass' mindset - because it really will.' - Roli from https://www.roliedema.com/

'Don't focus all your attention on boys. Focus more on school.' - Lindsey from cozystylist.com

'I would tell myself to learn the value of money, learn how to handle it & control it, how to budget and maybe tell myself to start something young so making money would be easier in the future. 
As much as I would hate to admit it money is part of our everyday lives and it doesn’t come easily so don’t take advantage of it, learn to be responsible with it!' - Emma Joy from www.emmjoy.co.uk.

'Focus more on schoolwork and not what everyone around you thinks instead. Spend more time with the friendships you feel are genuine, not everyone wants to be your friend and that's okay, just try to ignore anything they might say about you. Work hard, but have fun. Not everything is about Tumblr followers and just be yourself.' - Julia from bumblingalong.co.uk

'I would tell my younger self to just be outgoing and be yourself because everything you do back then won’t matter in the long run. Friends will come and go, you may be sad when a friendship ends, but you should know that a new one might be just around the corner. However, choose your friend wisely - friends that make you motivated and inspired, not the one who just befriend you when they need you and take an advantage of you.' - Merry -from Monodreame

'I'd tell myself that people will walk in and out of your life and that is OK. We evolve over time and take up new interests and hobbies and sometimes people just drift apart. Its a part of growing up and doesn't mean you are less of a person.' - Kelly from www.thekellydianereport.co.uk.

'Take care of yourself. Like, really take care of yourself. Self-care isn't bath bombs and treat yo'self moments. It's hard decisions, saying no to things, and not overworking yourself. I know that's difficult to do (I'm still trying), but make sure you prioritise your wellbeing. And no, it's not selfish to do so. In fact, in the words of Audre Lorde, it's 'an act of political warfare'.' - Jemima from Another Ranting Reader

'One thing I would tell my teenage self would be to resist the urge to get a credit card or buy anything on finance. I’d then stress the importance of a budget to cover everything from bills to food, to clothing, to birthday presents. I’d tell myself to factor in the opportunity to save first, regardless of what bills and other financial commitments I had. It doesn’t matter if you can only afford £5 a month, putting money aside to not be touched is the key to not getting into debt. Living life on credit is seen as “normal” these days, and people end up spending far more than they should, thanks to interest rates and fees. We need to understand the importance of not living beyond our means, simply in order to "fit in". Ultimately, don’t use credit as a way of life if you want to spend your later adult years in a permanent state of debt.' Fiona from Miss Penny Money

'Adult life will throw you plenty of challenges and one thing is for sure, life will not always be fair. But work hard, be kind, reach for the stars and always strive to do your very best. Do the things that make you uncomfortable like travelling the world, going to university, or seeking a new job. And one day you will wake up and realise, you have achieved all those things you dreamed of. Along the way, ensure you take time out to relax and enjoy the simple things in life.' - Shelley from WanderandLuxe.

'Your mental health problems won't stop you from achieving what you want: Depression was a part of my life from a young age and I worried that I would always be in pain and never achieve anything. As a teen grades and school were important to me but I realised I didn't cope well with stress and my own expectations. Flash forward 15 years, I'm in my early 30s, and I have done things I never thought I could do: graduate from university, get baptised and travel to NYC alone! My mental health problems may always be a part of my life but I am so much more than that. If I want something it is because I am deserving. With planning and support, I will achieve my goals.' - Athina from Black Pistachio 

'My advice I’d give to my teenage self is to be true to yourself and to worry much less what others think. Before thinking your whole world is crashing before your eyes stop take a deep breath and ask yourself will this matter in 5 years time? It’s so easy to get caught up in the petty drama of school life but will these things really matter to you once school is over? Try not to sweat the small stuff so much.' - Rachael from RachaelStray

I hope you enjoyed this post. What bit of advice would you give your teenage self?

Thank you for reading <3


25 comments

  1. Ah this post has really taken me down memory lane! I'd love to go back and tell little Rosie and she'll get everything she wished for!

    Rosie

    loverosiee.co.uk

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    1. That warmed my heart so much! It was such a pleasure to hear everyone's advice and share it xx

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  2. Oh this is such a great post. Don't you wish you teenage self could go back and read this?! I know I wish that when I think about it for myself.

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    1. Thank you!! Yes, 100 times over but I still don't think teenage me would listen haha x

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  3. Thank you so much for including me in this sweet and lovely post, Della! I hope the teens read this and start to love themselves :)

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  4. Love this post and everyone's input into what they'd tell their younger / teenage self! I've definitely thought about this a lot in the past. My teenage self was SO NAIVE about so many things!

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  5. Ah very inspiring and helpful and so true, thanks for posting :)

    Allie of
    www.allienyc.com

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  6. The teenage years are really something...so much is happening and so many things to overcome. I don't think I would ever want to go back to being a teenager.

    www.fashionradi.com

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  7. I'd definitely tell my younger self to save money and not to be so hung up on boys!! :) xx

    Holly | www.gollymissholly.uk

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  8. Thank you for allowing me to be part of this post. I've really enjoyed reading everyone's responses whilst having a trip down memory lane. I could relate to so much of this post.

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    1. Thank you for contributing! It was so lovely to work on xx

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  9. Such a powerful post and so true! Thank you for sharing.

    I always thought I was very grown-up as a teenager and thought I knew better than my mum and other family members. There are so many moments in the past where I wish I could just travel back in time and tell my younger self to listen to my family.

    But then again I think I am the person today because of the mistakes and the lessons learned from them. There are some moments though that were completely unnecessary and my younger self could definitely use a telling off from my older self :D

    xx Alenija

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    1. Thank you so much lovely! I was exactly the same, but I think it's the mistakes we make which help us learn and grow xx

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  10. The one thing I'd tell my teenage self is to enjoy being single! Too many nights wasted with the wrong people could've saved lots of heartache later down the line

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  11. I would tell my teenage self to live a healthier life!

    https://www.anouk.co

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  12. Wow ! That was really interesting, I too would tell my younger self to take time for hobbies, and also to enjoy life as it is ! Thanks for sharing.

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  13. Aww seems like you're a grown up woman now. You've matured. Well the post is lovely, but I'll just add a few things, since I'm also into philosophy. Telling your younger self would not have helped change ur then earlier life. Time is everything! Every generation goes through these experiences inevitably, and you or anyone else can't help it or stop it. We can just let these coming generations, or your kids once u have them, experience what they do. We can just try to help and protect those younger to us or our kids to go through these by standing back, letting things happen, all the while guiding them, protecting them and teaching them manners and humbleness and empathy to our best. All the love x
    Isa A. Blogger

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