Earlier this week I was just thinking about how different everyone’s life is. There is a girl who I share the same birthday with, like, the exact same birthday. Same year, same month, same day. We are complete opposites. Goes to show you that all horoscopes aren’t true.
But even more than that, it shows you that everyone has a different timeline. While you wish you had a better job like “that-person-over-there”, they may be wishing they were as spontaneous and free as you are. While you hate being single and just want to settle down, there is someone who is in a horrible relationship and just wishes that they were single.
While I was contemplating this information earlier this week, I saw a post on Tumblr that showed what 20 different people would tell their 19-year-old selves. It was beautiful and eye-opening. I decided to do the same.
Answers trickled in my Facebook messages, Twitter DM’s, and even on Snapchat. Every day I got one or two answers and it literally brightened my day, just to see what advice these people thought as important enough to tell their 19-year-old selves.
Seeing the consistency across the board of ultimately taking care of yourself physically, mentally and emotionally was refreshing. I loved the variations of viewpoints I got as well. From women in their 60’s to young adults in their 20’s. This article is meant to be a wake-up call if nothing else. You still have time. Get in shape. Finish school. Love yourself. Set yourself up for success (whatever that may mean to you).
Whether you are 16, 19, 30, 45, or even 60, I hope some of this advice will resonate with you and encourage you to better yourself, because YOU deserve it!
15 people on what they would tell their 19 year-old selves:
Samantha, 24 -- “Stop trying so hard to fit in and allow yourself to grow naturally as you are.”
Sarah, 25 – “Know your value, know that you’re worth more, that you deserve more.”
Rechelle, 32 –“Put down that burrito, burger and milkshake…you will get fat.”
Victoria, 25 – “SAVE MONEY!”
Kelly, 51 – “Push yourself to get through school and get a degree. Partying is not the only fun in life. There is a future and you always need to be prepared for it.”
Alura, 25 – “Go to college right out of High School. It’s scary, but it will be worth it. Also, drive the speed limit, so you won’t get 3 speeding tickets in one year.”
Sylvia, 58 – “Buy stock in Apple.”
Rebecca, 23 – “Everyone has their own timeline, it is okay if you aren’t where other people are. Life is still just beginning.”
Tamara, 25 – “Don’t depend on some guy to prove your worth. You’re going to be 10 times more successful without a man by your side. Accept yourself, love yourself and find yourself. Everything else will fall into place after you find who you truly are.”
Danielle, 24 – “Don’t sweat the small stuff.”
Jill, 40 – “Don’t put your career above everything”
Anna, 28 – “Form healthy habits early! Go to the gym, drink more water, eat less fast food and learn how to fuel your body intelligently.”
Angela, 24 – “Don’t give a shit about what people think and try not compare yourself to other people.”
Debbie, 66 – “You will make mistakes every day of your life –own them—, but learn from them. Life is an adventure – enjoy every second, of every hour, of every day, of every month, of every year!”
Alex, 31 – “Don’t take out extra student loan money that you really don’t need, it’s coming from your pocket at the end of the day."
Nineteen years old. You have your life ahead of you, but don't forget to live each day intentionally.
