Don’t you ever wish you could go back and tell your younger self what you know now? Like how that “C” in 10^th grade English class is so insignificant. Or better yet, warn your younger self that prom is so overrated and so overpriced. Or, do you ever wish you could go all the way back to your childhood years and tell yourself to just slow down and enjoy the time you have as a child because it doesn’t involve annoying things like paying bills, paying rent and spending the money that’s left on groceries or laundry detergent.

I know we all have something we would say so I asked people of all ages to answer the question “what advice would you give to your younger self?” and this is what I got...

“Don’t slide down the slide if it’s wet because then you will have wet pants.” –age 5

“Get a smiley face on your report at school so your dad will buy you more Pokémon cards.” –age 7

“Don’t be friends with mean girls. If they want to play with you, just say “No! You are mean!”” –age 9

“Even if your mom works a lot and isn’t home, she still loves you.” –age 10

“I would tell adults to smile more. They always look so mad and grumpy.” –age 11

“It’s ok to be different and it’s ok to not pretend to like the things that everyone else pretends to like.” –age 16

“Appreciate and enjoy the time you have with your parents/family while you can.” –age 18

“Don’t grow up too quickly. Enjoy being a kid because growing up kinda sucks.” –age 19

“Spend more time with your dad.” –age 21

“Do not take your time for granted. Love is not a weakness and don’t be afraid to speak up for what is right.” –age 21

“Stop giving a f*ck.” –age 22

"Explore. Create. Try new things. Push your boundaries and your comfort zones." --age 22

“Don’t worry about fitting in. Be yourself.” –age 23

“You can’t help someone that doesn’t want to help themself.” –age 24

“If you hate your job, quit. Find something to do that makes you happy and excited for work on Monday morning.” –age 28

“If you really want something, you are going to have to work for it and if you don’t want to work for it, then you don’t really want it.” –age 30

“If you are not 100% committed to someone, leave the relationship. Now. Don’t wait for things to get better like I did. They won’t.” –age 31

"Learn to put yourself in other people's shoes." --age 33

“Don’t rush things. Marriage, babies, love, anything. Trust the process.” – age 35

"Live with the man before you marry him." --age 37

“Don’t worry about the things you have no control over, learn to let stuff go, and everything will work out.” –age 39

“When you meet “the one” it will be easy.” –age 45

“Give yourself permission to be exactly who you really are because that’s the best you. It really doesn’t matter what other people think.” –age 47

“Save money and invest wisely.” –age 47

“Drama does not just walk into your life. Either you create it, invite it or associate with it.” –age 50

“Call your mom.” –age 55

“Life never goes as planned. Stop living with expectations, just throw them out the window!” –age 57

“Take more risks because being wrong is not the end of the world.” –age 58

“Don’t work your life away.” –age 60

“Learn to make yourself happy. Don’t rely on anyone else.” –age 63

“What you think of me is none of my business.” –age 66

“Enjoy the ride.” –age 69

Now tell me in the comments, what advice would you give to your younger self?