2019 is going crazy fast, and in just a few short months, I turn 25 (*cries). I feel as though 25 marks a whole new era, an older generation, and so I found myself reflecting on the past 10 years and the difference all that time has made. It was almost a decade ago that I was 15, sitting my GCSE's and still struggling to find an eyeliner that didn't crack, which was pretty much the extent of my teenage issues. I'd yet to meet so many people, learn so many lessons and experience so many things. So I decided to write a little letter to me of all the things I'd tell my 15 year old self.
1. Stop smearing orange gunk on your face. First of all, it doesn't match the rest of your body (blending was not a concern of mine back then). And secondly, you really don't need to hide underneath it all. Decorate your face, by all means. Makeup is a wonderful, fascinating and creative invention. But don't use it just to hide your insecurities or try to make yourself look like everyone else. Where's the individuality in that? 2. Frostie Jacks is NOT a bargain. They're robbing you of your £3. Daylight robbery. You will throw up. You will feel crappy the next day. You will not, however, remember much of the evening. Don't do it. Just don't do it. 3. Gaining weight is not the worst thing in the world that can happen to you. And it will happen to you, when you discover that you do actually like pizza and beer and your metabolism just isn't what you're used to. You may not recognise the body you will have in 10 years, but that's cool. It just shows you had a damn good time in the past decade. 4. Male attention isn't all it's cracked up to be. You don't get much of it now, my insecure teenage self, but you haven't started working in a pub yet. Creepy drunken men will appear in your life in the next year or so and it doesn't feel as self-assuring as you think it might. And on the subject of men, you may think it seems impossible that anyone would ever be into you. It won't be like that forever, you just haven't met them yet. 5. Friends was then, and still is, the best TV show to have ever been aired. 6. Speaking of friends, not everyone is gonna be in your life forever. Don't take it personally. People grow apart, grow up or just simply lose touch. It happens. Others may turn out to be convenience friends that will only be in your life whilst you have constant communication with them, like school for example. When you leave school and no longer see them every day, friendships will fizzle out eventually. It's part of life. 7. You may think that someone having a negative opinion of you would be the worst thing in the world. You think you're invisible. You're not. People just think you're shy and weird, so you may as well just do what you like. People will talk no matter what. Worse things have happened. 8. Matt Cardle wins the X Factor in 2010. Just in case this actually reaches 15 year old me, put a bet on early doors. You're welcome. 9. You'll go through some boy drama. But I'm not gonna warn you against any of that. You have to take the same steps and make the same mistakes to learn from them and end up where you are now, almost 25 and, for the record, sickeningly happy. 10. At some point, you'll grow out of your 'emo stage'. Your leather jacket is now the most worn thing ever. You don't wear thick black liner daily. Black velvet, ankle boots and pleather are not essentials in your wardrobe. The inner emo will always be there, lusting after dark, edgy clothing, red lipstick and Mayday Parade music. 11. Push past your boundaries. You only regret the things you didn't do, the things you were too scared to try, how you'd look doing them or what other people would think. As Nike would say, just do it. 12. Don't be afraid to travel to new places. In 10 years' time, you'll be all about going abroad and seeing different things. Squeeze more places in during that time if you can. It's worth it. 13. You'll get that degree you've been dreaming about since you were a little girl, but don't take advantage of the opportunity. GO TO YOUR DAMN LECTURES. And maybe, if it's not too much to ask, pick something a little more vocational, like Journalism or Publishing. Your dream job is still pending, but we're working on it. 14. Save some bloody money. You don't need all of the clothes you're going to purchase. Honestly, you won't even wear 90% of them. Ever. And you hate sending things back, so save yourself the ordeal and just buy the things you know you'll wear. Put some money away instead for a rainy day, a new adventure or an important investment. 15. You're going to have dark days. You'll feel anxious, depressed and stressed at times. You'll feel like you can't see the light at the end of the tunnel, like you can't get through a loss, a heartbreak or an exam, but I guess I'm living proof that you'll make it. Until next time, 15 year old self, look after yourself, try not to do anything I wouldn't do (ha!) and allow yourself to have some fun. 10 years will go by in a flash!
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