[NikoleS]

About health and life in general.

I'm 21 and want to know what everyone wish or should have done around my age as advice.

[Miss Laura]

Hey there,

I would tell myself to get help now. I would like to say to younger me stop being so hard on yourself and remember you are loved A LOT.

Never start smoking and stick with therapy.

[lotusblossom19]

Try your best. Stop doubting yourself so much.

something like,

enjoy life while you can. it only gets worse

The guy who dumped you isn't worth your time. Be true to yourself.

Always be honest

[Sassandclass]

I would tell myself to worry less about what others think about me, and more about what I think about me. Don't look for anyone's approval but your own.

[Turtle_Rider]

No self doubt and follow what you're believe. No need to please everyone by becoming what you actually don't want to.

However, I need the advice from my future self rather than telling my past self to make a change.

Yes, school may be a drag but put a bit more effort into it. Security later on in life, whether you believe it or not, is going to depend more than a great deal on your grades.

Jesus...that sounds as stale and as boring as any advice I EVER heard as a kid. Makes the most incredible sense though. I think the key is to encourage not dictate. I was dictated to and it achieved the opposite desired effect. Combined with the troubles I was having elsewhere in life this angle set me up to fall faster and harder.

1. Believe in yourself, you're all you've got.
2. Your parents are wrong about what your life path should be. It's your life path after all.
3. Don't be afraid to set boundaries with people. It will help you weed out the jerks.
4. Accept yourself as you were made. It's ok to be true to yourself, flaws and all.
5. Never, EVER, do anything to please anyone else. You can't please all of the people all of the time, and shouldn't be expected to.
6. You are not the only person in the world who feels this way, so work on your flaws, find support in others, and overcome your insecurities.
7. You're on a journey, which means things will change. Nothing stays the same; not people, not jobs, not income, not living arrangements. Be flexible. Go with the flow.
8. In times of strife, be resourceful. Don't be paralyzed by the "what if's," because those aren't real and haven't happened yet. Tackle one thing at a time.
9. Travel and work abroad in your 20s. It will open many doors for you. Stay abroad.
10. Don't worry about love finding you. If it is meant to find you, it will. If not, be happy with who you are, where you are in life.

If I'd had kids, I'd tell them to be themselves and do their best.

[lizardlady]

Hang in there.

It does get better!

They are LYING when they tell you "these are the best years of your life" Don't believe them!!!!

[Unrigged64072835]

It's a rough ride, but it'll all work out.

[Baker#88]

Originally Posted by NikoleS

About health and life in general.

I'm 21 and want to know what everyone wish or should have done around my age as advice.

When I was your age, I lived in Alabama (should have never left!), worked at the largest Chevrolet dealer in the southeast and already had a family. I tried to join the Air Force while we were there but having a family, they more or less said, talk to the Marines. I never talked to the Marines.....

I really should have followed through in high school though. I had everything almost completed to join the Army right after graduation but the b**ch I was dating at the time talked me out of it. I would have had almost 30 years in before I would have been medically discharged for what happened with my gut. I then think, if I would have done that or followed through after I dumped her, I wouldn`t have my kids or grandkids. So, I guess it is a double edged sword......One door closes and another opens and why didn`t I buy stock in Microsoft back in 1985?????????

I guess, do what you want to do, not what others say you should do. It is your life to live to the full extent as you please! I wish you the best!

[VanGore28]

Friends will come and go
Don't be afraid to fly alone
Have more fun, break the rules,
You aren't one of the lucky privileged ones so life is going to be hard sometimes, chin up
Curb your temper
Forgive your parents for being selfish a£$eholes
One day you will make your grandfather proud
Deep down your mum loves you as much as your brother,
Spend more time with your friends than trying to prove yourself, this does not make you like your father or mother

1. Trust your gut, when it tells you, you are in a bad situation, leave.
2. Don't drink to much alcohol amongst stangers.
3. Keep in touch with your old friends who matter (it is easy to lose touch when someone moves to other countries/states).
4. Regularly tell people how much you care about them and thank them for the little things they do.
5. Spend time every week improving skills that could lead to employment (if you are not sure what they are for you -- research)
6. Constantly try new things -- travel (even if it is just a day trip), education, sports, foods, etc.
7. Take care of your health -- eat lots of quality protein, vegies and fruits and exercise everyday (even if it is just a daily walk) -- this will pay dividends later.
8. Live within your means - when I do have money, I prefer to spend it on experiences (such as a trip with a friend) not stuff -- to much stuff just takes time to take care of and makes moving a lot of work.

[possum220]

Please be very brave sweetheart. I love you.

[Constellation36]

Travel more. Teach English as a foreign language so you can afford to travel. Stop binge drinking. Try to find a silver lining in every problem you encounter. Don't get a dog or cat or snake until you are making enough money to afford one and have a pet sitter. Find three things you're grateful for every single day. Yoga and meditation on a daily basis. Wait to have kids. Have kids when you are well established in your career and have a supportive SO. And OMG, take birth control and use protection EVERY TIME unless you are ready to raise a little human or you're tired of having privacy.

[kotoshinohaisha]

Don't believe what they say about you

Travel. Visit all the states/countries you ever hope to see.
Live for today because it doesn't get better. (I just didn't know it at the time)
Don't be idealistic. Hopes are dreams that never come true.
When people say you have all the time in the world ahead of you...be forewarned that time passes faster than you realize.

Move out, but to a place near your parents. Get involved in the local community and build a network. Forgive your father. Learn how to cook and look after yourself. Even if you don't end up in a relationship, develop strong friendships. Visit family and learn the language better. Don't do science as a career. Do finance or law. Save up for the future. Have therapy!

[Nikki O.]

I'd tell myself to, "Don't do drugs and to tell Mom or the school counselor that you need professional help."

[Sassandclass]

Expect people to respect you - even (or especially) close friends.
And if they don't, then weed them out of your life and grow closer to those who do respect you.

[NeedHaldol]

Do it all the same. You will end up in this place of love and support.

Hold on for the psychotic anguish you will experience for the next 5-7 years, you will eventually get help.

[Heyitseli]

Originally Posted by NikoleS

About health and life in general.

I'm 21 and want to know what everyone wish or should have done around my age as advice.

I would definitely bot settle for anything less relationship wise run as fast as you can if your boyfriend or girlfriend is not treating you right or his or hers first priority..