Letters to your younger self

Rosie - posted on 01/15/2010

dear younger self:



just because your biological dad beat you and your sister and mother doesn't mean all men do it, so don't sit around waiting for it to happen to you again. and don't try to fill the "daddy void" by sleeping with practically every man that thinks you're cute.



dont start smoking (as your older self will be lighting up a cigarette as she is writing this). it is a disgusting vile habit that will have a hold on you even after you think you've gotten rid of it-twice.



if a man has a child that he already doesnt take care of-don't sleep with him, and for gods sake use protection. more likely than not he will not take care of your child either.



do not drink and drive, u will get away with it, but why risk it? it's stupid childish and reckless and you aren't normally like that.



stay in college-you won't like working at a hardware store for 13 years.



you are smart, beautiful, and you need to believe that. u don't need validation from any man or anybody to know that you are.



do not enable your sister's drinking!! if she wants a babysitter so she can drink-too bad let her find someone else. if she needs you to start her car with a breathalizer on it cause she still has alcohol on her breath from the night before-don't do it, there's a reason the car wouldn't start. don't lie to your parents to cover for her so she won't get mad at you, you'll just end up hurting her. when you are watching her kids and she gets raped, don't be furious with yourself for being mad at her because she's late for the umpteenth time, you had no idea what was happening to her. if she wants money, don't let her pay you back in food stamps.



that being said i do not believe that my younger self would've listened. i am the type of person that learns from my mistakes, and pretty much no other way. i needed all the bad experiences in my life to get to where i am today-especially with my self esteem the way it was back then. i'm glad i went through all i've been through, it has made me who i am today and i wouldn't change a thing!

Jocelyn - posted on 12/17/2009

Quoting Betsy:

You ladies may find this humorous. I never even tried weed, no interest and didn't go with the career I always wanted. When we were young, my husband always did, which was our biggest argument when we were first married and became parents. When I came home, estatic, from my first marijuana conviction, I can home to my husband and his best friend getting stoned in my living room....talk about ironic! I was ready to friggin kill him that night! His friend literally ran home lmao.

Pfft, way to be square! lmao :P

Your story gave me a good giggle :P Poor guys!

Betsy - posted on 12/15/2009

You ladies may find this humorous. I never even tried weed, no interest and didn't go with the career I always wanted. When we were young, my husband always did, which was our biggest argument when we were first married and became parents. When I came home, estatic, from my first marijuana conviction, I can home to my husband and his best friend getting stoned in my living room....talk about ironic! I was ready to friggin kill him that night! His friend literally ran home lmao.

Jocelyn - posted on 12/15/2009

Quoting Loureen:

LOL , i experienced many shroom trips when i was younger always in the Australian bush with wicked psychedelic trance playing and 100's of friends or my doof family as i love to call them .

Oh man, we have this big musical festival during august long weekend every year (Hippy Fest lol) out near the forest that is perfect for getting stoned at :)  They play every type of music (all live) and have wicked light shows all night.  that was the best...sitting at the bottom of the hill staring at the lights in the sky, zoned out to techno :) good times!

Krista - posted on 12/15/2009

My goodness...aren't we just a bunch of reprobates! LOL!

Charlie - posted on 12/15/2009

LOL , i experienced many shroom trips when i was younger always in the Australian bush with wicked psychedelic trance playing and 100's of friends or my doof family as i love to call them .

Jocelyn - posted on 12/15/2009

Quoting Krista:

Quoting Jocelyn:

Quoting Krista:

Quoting Jocelyn:

Hmmm... ok, while I wouldn't necessarily change anything, it would be nice to have a bit of warning on what will happen... it never hurts to be properly prepared!

Dear Jocelyn.
Do not drink beer or whiskey...you are allergic!
Do not start smoking.
Do not use sharpie instead of normal eyeliner...it stays on really well but burns like a bitch.
Do not date guys named Mathew. It always ends up bad.
Do not let your friend Alana cut your hair. It turns out bad too.
Don't be afraid to drive, get your license earlier rather than later.
When someone offers you a drug you've never heard of, do NOT mix it with magic mushrooms.
On that note, when you do do mushrooms, do not watch The Secret of Nihm...
Figure out what you want to do after high school and stick to it!
Don't take no shit from anyone. One day you will have to bitch slap a guy that is 1.5 feet taller than you...remember to wear your high heels.
Many of your dreams won't come true, but don't stop dreaming about them. Something much better happens.
Love, Jocelyn
Oh, and you will get very very hormonal when you get pregnant, do not have a mental break down and chop off all your hair. It doesn't look good...

You watched The Secret of Nihm while on 'shrooms? Yikes! I would have been hiding in the closet. (Mind you, I was entertained enough watching my jeans -- there were fish swimming in them.)  

Lol, yeah, that wasn't one of the brightest decision I've ever made :P  I never did shrooms again after that...having the leaves of the bushes turn into little rat-dragon-people-things kinda turned me off...I much prefer my previous trips that only involved staring at patterned carpet!

Yeah, I stuck to weed after that. I'm glad I tried mushrooms once, though -- it was very interesting. But after that one time, I felt no need to do them again -- mainly because that first trip was so much fun that I knew any after that would be a letdown. So I decided to leave on a high (pun intended) note. 

I know this is totally off topic, but I think everyone should expeirence a good mush trip at least once in their life :) lol

Krista - posted on 12/15/2009

Quoting Jocelyn:

Quoting Krista:

Quoting Jocelyn:

Hmmm... ok, while I wouldn't necessarily change anything, it would be nice to have a bit of warning on what will happen... it never hurts to be properly prepared!

Dear Jocelyn.
Do not drink beer or whiskey...you are allergic!
Do not start smoking.
Do not use sharpie instead of normal eyeliner...it stays on really well but burns like a bitch.
Do not date guys named Mathew. It always ends up bad.
Do not let your friend Alana cut your hair. It turns out bad too.
Don't be afraid to drive, get your license earlier rather than later.
When someone offers you a drug you've never heard of, do NOT mix it with magic mushrooms.
On that note, when you do do mushrooms, do not watch The Secret of Nihm...
Figure out what you want to do after high school and stick to it!
Don't take no shit from anyone. One day you will have to bitch slap a guy that is 1.5 feet taller than you...remember to wear your high heels.
Many of your dreams won't come true, but don't stop dreaming about them. Something much better happens.
Love, Jocelyn
Oh, and you will get very very hormonal when you get pregnant, do not have a mental break down and chop off all your hair. It doesn't look good...

You watched The Secret of Nihm while on 'shrooms? Yikes! I would have been hiding in the closet. (Mind you, I was entertained enough watching my jeans -- there were fish swimming in them.)  

Lol, yeah, that wasn't one of the brightest decision I've ever made :P  I never did shrooms again after that...having the leaves of the bushes turn into little rat-dragon-people-things kinda turned me off...I much prefer my previous trips that only involved staring at patterned carpet!

Yeah, I stuck to weed after that. I'm glad I tried mushrooms once, though -- it was very interesting. But after that one time, I felt no need to do them again -- mainly because that first trip was so much fun that I knew any after that would be a letdown. So I decided to leave on a high (pun intended) note. 

Jocelyn - posted on 12/15/2009

Quoting Krista:

Quoting Jocelyn:

Hmmm... ok, while I wouldn't necessarily change anything, it would be nice to have a bit of warning on what will happen... it never hurts to be properly prepared!

Dear Jocelyn.
Do not drink beer or whiskey...you are allergic!
Do not start smoking.
Do not use sharpie instead of normal eyeliner...it stays on really well but burns like a bitch.
Do not date guys named Mathew. It always ends up bad.
Do not let your friend Alana cut your hair. It turns out bad too.
Don't be afraid to drive, get your license earlier rather than later.
When someone offers you a drug you've never heard of, do NOT mix it with magic mushrooms.
On that note, when you do do mushrooms, do not watch The Secret of Nihm...
Figure out what you want to do after high school and stick to it!
Don't take no shit from anyone. One day you will have to bitch slap a guy that is 1.5 feet taller than you...remember to wear your high heels.
Many of your dreams won't come true, but don't stop dreaming about them. Something much better happens.
Love, Jocelyn
Oh, and you will get very very hormonal when you get pregnant, do not have a mental break down and chop off all your hair. It doesn't look good...

You watched The Secret of Nihm while on 'shrooms? Yikes! I would have been hiding in the closet. (Mind you, I was entertained enough watching my jeans -- there were fish swimming in them.)  

Lol, yeah, that wasn't one of the brightest decision I've ever made :P  I never did shrooms again after that...having the leaves of the bushes turn into little rat-dragon-people-things kinda turned me off...I much prefer my previous trips that only involved staring at patterned carpet!

Jocelyn - posted on 12/15/2009

Quoting Kelsey:

 and dont give your virginity to some hot senior who listens to cradle of filth and smokes entirely too much pot.

LMAO I did that too!!!

Krista - posted on 12/15/2009

Quoting Jocelyn:

Hmmm... ok, while I wouldn't necessarily change anything, it would be nice to have a bit of warning on what will happen... it never hurts to be properly prepared!

Dear Jocelyn.
Do not drink beer or whiskey...you are allergic!
Do not start smoking.
Do not use sharpie instead of normal eyeliner...it stays on really well but burns like a bitch.
Do not date guys named Mathew. It always ends up bad.
Do not let your friend Alana cut your hair. It turns out bad too.
Don't be afraid to drive, get your license earlier rather than later.
When someone offers you a drug you've never heard of, do NOT mix it with magic mushrooms.
On that note, when you do do mushrooms, do not watch The Secret of Nihm...
Figure out what you want to do after high school and stick to it!
Don't take no shit from anyone. One day you will have to bitch slap a guy that is 1.5 feet taller than you...remember to wear your high heels.
Many of your dreams won't come true, but don't stop dreaming about them. Something much better happens.
Love, Jocelyn
Oh, and you will get very very hormonal when you get pregnant, do not have a mental break down and chop off all your hair. It doesn't look good...

You watched The Secret of Nihm while on 'shrooms? Yikes! I would have been hiding in the closet. (Mind you, I was entertained enough watching my jeans -- there were fish swimming in them.)  

Jocelyn - posted on 12/14/2009

Hmmm... ok, while I wouldn't necessarily change anything, it would be nice to have a bit of warning on what will happen... it never hurts to be properly prepared!

Dear Jocelyn.
Do not drink beer or whiskey...you are allergic!
Do not start smoking.
Do not use sharpie instead of normal eyeliner...it stays on really well but burns like a bitch.
Do not date guys named Mathew. It always ends up bad.
Do not let your friend Alana cut your hair. It turns out bad too.
Don't be afraid to drive, get your license earlier rather than later.
When someone offers you a drug you've never heard of, do NOT mix it with magic mushrooms.
On that note, when you do do mushrooms, do not watch The Secret of Nihm...
Figure out what you want to do after high school and stick to it!
Don't take no shit from anyone. One day you will have to bitch slap a guy that is 1.5 feet taller than you...remember to wear your high heels.
Many of your dreams won't come true, but don't stop dreaming about them. Something much better happens.
Love, Jocelyn
Oh, and you will get very very hormonal when you get pregnant, do not have a mental break down and chop off all your hair. It doesn't look good...

Betsy - posted on 12/14/2009

Simple, no matter how bad or tough you think things are, they always get better so don't waste precious days of your life dwelling when you can't even take action at that time. Also know your own voice earlier and be more concerned with what you think of yourself rather than what anyone else thinks. Have confidence and trust in your abilities, and you'll make it just fine. And what my father told me was true....the 4 yrs of high school seem to take an eternity, but the 20 yrs after high school will fly by, so don't be in such a rush.

Cassie - posted on 12/14/2009

I don't think I'd have much to say as I wouldn't change too much. I'm really happy with where I am in my life. But here goes...

Dear Younger Cassie,

Stop trying to be friends with the "popular" people. They won't be there for you and you're so much happier when you're with Corey than with them!
Don't wait until your wedding night to lose your virginity. It makes the wedding day a bit more stressful than it needs to be.
Build up Corey's self-esteem more in high school. He always thinks you're smarter than he is and he lets it stop him from going for his dreams for a long time.
Enjoy spending time with your family more. They turn out to be the greatest friends you'll ever have!
Enjoy every moment of growing up with Corey. You'll be happier than you ever knew you could!

Love, Older Cassie

Erin - posted on 12/14/2009

Dear Young Erin...

You will make it to 24 without smoking.. it would be the absolute dumbest thing in the world to start then.
Being on first-name basis with most of the musicians in town is not necessarily a good thing. Run.. Run FAST!!
Take that gap year, despite your father's threats to cut you off financially. Perhaps then you won't wind up with a degree you will never use.
Stay in touch with your high school girls. You will realise much later how much you miss them.
If you must do drugs, DO NOT SNORT!! It is not a good look.
Be nicer to your mother while you're living at home... she's really not that bad and does have a life of her own too.
Stop fighting with your brother. He will turn out to be the most awesome brother on the planet!!
And don't believe the lines guys give you. Vast majority of the time they have no idea what they actually want and what they say means shit.
Please listen.
THE END :)

Krista - posted on 12/14/2009

Dear Krista,

Don't take up smoking. It'll take you 10 years to quit.
Figure out what you want to do with your life BEFORE you go to university. There's no shame in taking time off and looking at your options. You'll waste a lot less money this way.
Just because a guy wants to make out with you or sleep with you, does NOT mean that he actually likes you and would consider dating you.
He's not actually separated from his wife. Walk away.
Stop worrying that people won't like you if you stand up for yourself. The people who are worthy of your time will like you even more for it.
Stop renting and buy a place, already! It won't cost much more than your rent, and when you do finally move away with your future husband, you'll have some money in hand.

JL - posted on 12/11/2009

If I wrote my younger self some inspirational philosophical diatribe. My younger self would think damn what a dork... loosen up tight ass and then I would go back to watching Beavis and Butthead. If I wrote a letter saying hey if you do A then this will happen but if you take avenue B then maybe you can avoid that...just watch out for____and____. Then maybe I would have probably at least kept that in the back of my mind. I do think I would have listened though to the career and education advice because I was so unsure of what to do and a little guidance in that area from myself may have been good for me and instead of switching my degree right in the middle of college because I spent too many years listening to what others around me thought I should do with my life and not to my innerself.

?? - posted on 12/11/2009

Sorry that wasn't a dig at anyone's letter they already wrote lol



I was just asking in general (not asking for specifics) and just kinda going along with what Sarah was originally saying about would your younger self listen...... do you think it would make a difference if you wrote specifics or if you wrote more inspirational or funny antidotes in your letter? Do you think that your younger self would listen / take the advice more seriously if you were to write a point form letter "Don't do this______. Do this _______. If you do this _______, don't do that ________." or would your younger self be more inclined to listen to inspirational and philosphical letters?



If I wrote an inspirational letter, my younger self would have ignored it.

If I wrote a more point form letter, my younger self probably would have kept it in the back of her head and took it into consideration when the time came to make the decision.



That's more of what I meant to say lol I definitely didn't say it right though!

Diana - posted on 12/11/2009

I guess I have to agree with everyone else...I'm not going to put up the full extent of what I'd tell myself given the chance because I neither want to divulge it all and leave it floating around the net world, nor do I want to dredge it all up and think about it again.

JL - posted on 12/11/2009

Mine was sincere at first and then I started joking around. The particular situations I picked when I was talking about drinking and doing drugs were situations that had some negative consequences for me. Honestly I did not want to get deep on here and reveal some crappy stuff that went down in my life. I did not want to dredge up shit and I just didn't want to go there mentally and emotionally. The letter I would write to myself would include all that I put on here, but with far more detail plus some more stuff.



I would include a full page about a certain guy, which I did not mention in my the letter I posted, because that would be the one main thing I would want to talk to my younger self about...that relationship alone turned my life upside down and put me through hell, but it also made me a stronger woman.

Sarah - posted on 12/11/2009

That's the tricky thing isn't it.....where i would like to go back and give my self a stern talking to, there's also things (like my kids and my husband) that i really wouldn't want to change. I guess with time travel, or letters from the future, you could never be sure of the effects.....like in The Butterfly Effect!!! (awesome film!!)

So although i think it's interesting to see what people would tell their younger selves, i doubt many of us, given the chance would actually send the letter! :)

Cathy - posted on 12/11/2009

I don't think I could write a letter to my younger self.
My descisions, good and bad, led me to where I am now. I'm happy with my life. The worry that I would somehow jinx it for better or for worse would be too much. One change may mean that my kids would cease to exist.
Whatever I may have screwed up, no desire to change what's past!

Sara - posted on 12/11/2009

My first one was honest and sincere. I've had a lot of the woulda, coulda, shoulda moments lately, wishing for a "do over" in some areas of my life...really wishing I had known some things then that I know now...but then I think that if I didn't have those experiences, I probably wouldn't know now...so...

Isobel - posted on 12/11/2009

While my letter is sincere...My past self would've been quite sure that she was smarter than her future self...bah!

Sarah - posted on 12/11/2009

Quoting Jo:

How many of these letters... do you think are actually heart felt and sincere and not posted here just to seem.... funny or philosphical and intelligent... some of them read as legit... others seem more... inspirationally motivated rather than direct advice? (if that makes sense)...... I know if I had gotten a letter from me now when I was 14 and it said "Live life to the fullest" I'd have been like "Well DUH stupid future me, that IS what I am doing! Lay off bitch."

If I had recieved a letter from me saying;

"Dear Jo... don't let her go with him... hold her close and just keep dancing... trust me, you'll know what I mean when it happens... you'll lose her forever and you'll never get her back. Put the bottle down."

Then I might have listened... I wish I could have listened...

I guess i can only speak for me, but i think the letters here are heart felt and sincere.......as much as revealing your innermost regrets can get on the internet anyway.

If i actually sat down privately and wrote a letter to my younger self, that was for my eyes only, then it would contain a lot more than i've written here, i'm not going to reveal my deepest darkest secrets on here tho. Plus it would only mean anything to me, it would probably bore everyone else silly!

I think the inspirational stuff (for me) is more about telling my younger self to appreciate my youth. 'Live life to the fullest' may sound like run of the mill advice, but it's GOOD advice you know?

Yes people have probably picked stuff that is funny and intelligent and inspirational, but as i said, i think that's because the TRUE letter isn't something that could, or should be shared. :)

Charlie - posted on 12/10/2009

I would say if i recieved a letter from myself i would have screwd it up and put it in the bin or thought i had taken to much acid , seriously .
I wasnt in a good state and quiet frankly couldnt give a shit about anyones "advice ' so i would probably say that would include my own , with an adult mind and hindsight i would definitely listen but i can be honest and say i was a inconsiderate and often incoherrant little bitch back then .

?? - posted on 12/10/2009

How many of these letters... do you think are actually heart felt and sincere and not posted here just to seem.... funny or philosphical and intelligent... some of them read as legit... others seem more... inspirationally motivated rather than direct advice? (if that makes sense)...... I know if I had gotten a letter from me now when I was 14 and it said "Live life to the fullest" I'd have been like "Well DUH stupid future me, that IS what I am doing! Lay off bitch."



If I had recieved a letter from me saying;



"Dear Jo... don't let her go with him... hold her close and just keep dancing... trust me, you'll know what I mean when it happens... you'll lose her forever and you'll never get her back. Put the bottle down."



Then I might have listened... I wish I could have listened...

JL - posted on 12/10/2009

Quoting Loureen:

Hahaha Joy i think our younger selves may have been best buds !!

Or maybe its lucky you live on the other side of the world or we would have wreaked havoc ( more so than usual ) ;)

Ah yes, the havoc we would have wreaked.....hehehe

Charlie - posted on 12/10/2009

Hahaha Joy i think our younger selves may have been best buds !!



Or maybe its lucky you live on the other side of the world or we would have wreaked havoc ( more so than usual ) ;)

Heidi - posted on 12/10/2009

I love this topic!
Here is my letter to my younger self...
Dear Younger Self<
Trust what your mom says in regards to boys or men...Chances are she is right, even if you don't see it at the time.
Be sure not to smoke
Love with all your heart and soul
Don't take anything for granted
Live each day like it was last because you never know what may happen tomorrow.
Live the dream
Love the person you are
Give and you shall receive
You hold the balance of the future in your own hands.
Doubt my younger self would listen, but hey we are only human and we learn from our mistakes.

JL - posted on 12/10/2009

Loureen,
I tried the special brownies several times and took several tickets to the show....but at one party in particular I was given the choice between the 2 and because I chose the latter I ended on a bad trip that made me sick and depressed for a couple of days.Too bad we did not grow up in the same place, because we sound like we were so much alike growing up and we would have had so much fun together.

Most of the time though I stuck to my trusty water bong. That reminds...
Joy, don't sit too close to Kaihual in the backseat of the Toyota..that girl WILL spill the bong water on you everytime and listen to Dana...stick to the liquid not the paper.


Traci,
I still to this day cannot stand the smell of tequila. For a petite girl I could hang pretty well with the guys, but alcoholism runs in my family and I do not have that switch in my brain that says Ok time to stop. Once I start I go for it and that night I drank shot for shot with my freind Jimmy. We cleared out a bottle of Tequila and niether of us to this day remember much of anything about that night.

Sara - posted on 12/10/2009

One more!



Dear Younger Self:



When you go over to Brent and Scott's apartment with Cathy (my sister), be suspicious when they offer you a tiny piece of paper, tell you it's only half a dose and answer your question of "What will happen" with "Just go with it". It may not have been that bad and changed your perspective in life for the better, but you need to be better prepared mentally for something like that.



Oh, and go to medical school for the love of all that is holy!

Dana - posted on 12/10/2009

Oh and Joy, just stick to the liquid rather than paper. :)

Dana - posted on 12/10/2009

Well I'm one of those people who think I wouldn't change anything because I love who I am. My errors/experiences have given me sympathy, empathy and an all around good heart.

Although, I would tell my self.
Don't drink so much. Especially early on
Mad dog is disgusting. How do you NOT know that!?
Don't start smoking, although I've been smoke free for 2 1/2 yrs! Yay
Don't believe a word either parent says.
Oh and a big one!! I almost forgot. When your boyfriend (Matt) tells you that your best friend is rude to him and he may have a crush on you too. Don't tell him he's being ridiculous which leads to a break up. Luckily I realized my error and it was early enough in our relationship to fix but, I would like to take that back. If I could change one thing EVER that would be it.

. - posted on 12/10/2009

Quoting Jean:

Dear Jean.

When "Mum and "Dad" ask you for half your pay, say "no" because you know they're not going to pay you back- they never do!
When "Mum and "Dad" ask you to get out another loan- say no because they won't help you with the repayments-they have and never will.
When people offer you a room at your flat- do take it and DON'T let your mother make you feel bad for accepting it!
When big events happen in your life, only your real friends will be there for you, and family who do actually care-will be there for you.
Actions speak louder then words
Go back and re-sit your restricted licence-you will need it when you have kids.
Get out more!
Experiance more!
Stop letting your parents control you!
Don't be afraid to go up to and talk to the guy at the mall, Sarno,- he's a great catch!.

When I look back at my life, I wish I had stuck up for myself more and not allowed myself to be controlled.
Although if I hadn't made the choices I had made I would never have met Sarno. He has showen me what it is like to be loved and cared for. I'm thank full that I met him when I did.

Sorry that should read "their flat"

. - posted on 12/10/2009

Dear Jean.

When "Mum and "Dad" ask you for half your pay, say "no" because you know they're not going to pay you back- they never do!
When "Mum and "Dad" ask you to get out another loan- say no because they won't help you with the repayments-they have and never will.
When people offer you a room at your flat- do take it and DON'T let your mother make you feel bad for accepting it!
When big events happen in your life, only your real friends will be there for you, and family who do actually care-will be there for you.
Actions speak louder then words
Go back and re-sit your restricted licence-you will need it when you have kids.
Get out more!
Experiance more!
Stop letting your parents control you!
Don't be afraid to go up to and talk to the guy at the mall, Sarno,- he's a great catch!.

When I look back at my life, I wish I had stuck up for myself more and not allowed myself to be controlled.
Although if I hadn't made the choices I had made I would never have met Sarno. He has showen me what it is like to be loved and cared for. I'm thank full that I met him when I did.

Sarah - posted on 12/10/2009

Ok, here's my letter:
Dear younger Me!!
Do NOT start smoking....not even one because you will not be able to stop because your crap!!
Fill out your uni application forms!! Honestly, it only takes like 20 minutes!!!
Go to uni!!!!! (they do lot's of drinking there so DO IT!!)
Enjoy EVERY minute of your misspent youth! Before you know it you'll be pushing 30, have lot's of great memories!!
Please, please, please learn how to drive!! Don't take 8 lessons and give up......in years to come you will be walking 2 kids home in the POURING rain and wishing that you had just kept up with the driving lessons!!
Don't think that boys/men will love you if you sleep with them.....they won't!!
Carry on doing something that involves singing.....not just karioke when your drunk!
When your mum offers you her flat.....ignore Pete and TAKE IT!!!!
Try not to compare yourself to others....you're kinda cute the way you are.
Oh and go straight to St Micheals when you have Cadence and ask immediately for an epidural!!!

Love, your older, wiser, non driving, smoking self! :)

?? - posted on 12/09/2009

Kylie, you are gorgeous.

Kylie - posted on 12/09/2009

Dear Kylie,
Keep doing your dancing exams and find a netball team to join after highschool
Go and do your art teaching degree straight after yr 12 don't listen to Betsy or your Mum and what they think you should do.
When you travel don't get stuck in one place...keep moving
Date lots before you settle down
Don't be afraid of boys but don't get boy crazy
Don't start smoking weed on a daily basis
Love yourself you're gorgeous!
from Kylie

Louise - posted on 12/09/2009

Dear Me,

Don't waste your precious time on assholes, instead cultivate friendships with good people who have a positive influence in your life. BTW, drinking yourself stupid is... stupid.

Charlie - posted on 12/09/2009

OH one more .

Dear Loureen ,
Do not drink a bottle of absinthe on a 49C day at an outdoor music festival you will pass out in the dirt and wake with a wet towel on you .

Diana - posted on 12/09/2009

Don't make a promise to a boy who kisses you while his girlfriend is just down the hall.



Drinking a fifth in one night is neither healthy nor attractive.



Don't be so afraid of other people.



Write more.



Don't start smoking. Ever. It's also neither healthy nor attractive.



There are some things that cannot be undone, no matter how hard you try. So live life fully, but put some thought into it.

Charlie - posted on 12/09/2009

Joy,
your younger self sounds an awful lot like me except i did say yes to the special brownies AND several "pieces of paper " i like to call tickets to the show .

And i could not agree more on the appreciate your body part .

Dear Younger Loureen ,

Believe all those the boys when they say you have the best boobs in the world haha !!

Isobel - posted on 12/09/2009

Dear self:

don't mix Southern comfort with cherry kool-aid...it's disgusting
go to your prom.
Clean your room. It's disgusting too.
Be nice to that Rupert guy...he may be a bit of a geek now but he'll turn out all right
Play a sport
Be nicer to your mother...she's not as dumb as you think.
If you ever meet a guy named Jim...RUN, don't walk AWAY
Go to school...dumbass

Charlie - posted on 12/09/2009

Dear younger Loureen ,

You are not invincible , neither are your friends THINK before you act PLEASE .

Other than that there isnt much i would change , i dont regret much , good or bad because all the things that have happened in my life have taught me invaluable life lessons , lessons i would never had know had i not lived them .

?? - posted on 12/09/2009

Dear dumbass,



Stop being a dumbass.



See ya in the future,



Dumbass.

JL - posted on 12/09/2009

Dear younger self,



It is not a good idea to challenge a guy twice your size to a tequila shot contest.



You may like to hang out with the guys, but trying developing more relationships with girls.



Stop being so overly critical of yourself....you are smart enough and your body rocks so flaunt that shit while you can.



Say yes to the special brownies and no to the little piece of paper...if you get my drift..the latter results in a bad trip.



Get into a forensic psychology program and apply to the FBI.



Don't start smoking....tobacco.



Lay off the alcohol while in high school..you will be burnt out on drinking before your even 21.



Be nicer to the guys that ask you out...they are just interested and it took a great deal for them to get up the nerve to ask you out.



Let more people in...so what if you get hurt..you will recover.



Back pack around Europe before you go to college.



Write that book you want to write..j..ust do it.



I may have listened to the career and school advice, but the other stuff I probably would have told myself to screw off.

Esther - posted on 12/09/2009

I would tell myself to develop healthier eating habits & exercise more. I would ABSOLUTELY tell myself to put a little more effort into my education and to get a psychology degree (childhood development particularly) rather than waste my time going to law school for a brief stint. Would I have listened? Not likely.

Savannah - posted on 12/09/2009

Hmmm... younger self....
Don't be afraid to talk to people in school. Popularity is not a plague.
GO TO YOUR PROM!
DON"T SLEEP AROUND!
GO TO COLLEGE!
Stay away from the wacky tobaccy! lol (nah!)
Try wearing colors

Problem is, if I had followed any of that advice I would not be where I am today. I would not have put up with my husband the first time he screwwed me over, I wouldn't have my kids...
I probably wouldn't have listened anyway, but maybe that is a good thing.
Had I had an ounce of self esteem growing up I would not be here.

It is strange that you would put this here because I have recently been going over all my regrets as to how I was and what I have done and where I am today...It is not all to be regretted because without the things that I would do over I would not do the good things that I have done.
oh the paradox of time travel. (Oh no I've gone cross-eyed)

Sarah - posted on 12/09/2009

Hahaha! Sara, i've been feeling the same which was why i posted it! Just things i wish i'd done which would make my life easier now.....kicking my younger self right now! LOL!