There's been several posts recently, regarding having conversations with one's younger self. Dune Princess addressed it interestingly following a thought-provoking play, and Pants of Death met himself on the way to the paper shop one day. These things happen more often than you'd think. Dune Princess asked her readers what they would tell themselves in this situation -- and without going all Baz Luhrman, what exactly do you tell yourself?
I'm amused now by who I was at 17. If I could only tell my younger self one thing it would be quite simple: "lighten up".
It's the same advice I try to give myself now, and I expect my younger counterpart would say the same thing; "That's easier said than done". But it's easy to tell yourself to lighten up when you know that things work out, in a funny sort of way.
I'd tell myself to work harder. I know it's a drag, but do your homework. Do the reading. Make the notes you are supposed to. You will never be one of these people who can get good grades with little work -- you will have to work hard to be average.
Talk to strangers. It sounds absurd, but good things can come out of talking to strangers sometimes. Just don't go home with them.
If something seems like a bad idea, and you know it's a bad idea, don't go and do it any way. Even if it seems like fun. Some mistakes are so much fun you will want to keep making them, but sometimes it really is better to regret the things you haven't done.
The black framed glasses, the eyeliner, the way you want your hair to cover your eyes? It looks silly. In 10 years time it will be fashionable, though.
Sleep is over-rated sometimes. If you really need sleep, go to bed earlier -- don't skip classes. See earlier comment about working harder.
I have no advice regarding your relationships to make them any easier, other than try not to overthink them. Just enjoy yourself. At the same time, don't rush into things. There's almost always going to be more time.
Contradicting that, sometimes there won't be more time. Tell people you love them, see them if you get the chance. You will know what I mean later.
Sometimes you are going to have to accept the past is best left where it is, and move on. Kind of ironic given this conversation.
You'll be glad to know that you did what you said you were going to. You went to university, you lived abroad. You trained as a journalist and work in the media. It's not all it's cracked up to be -- it's funny how these things happen.
As for what he would say to me... probably something along the lines of "What are you doing with my life?"
"I can't believe you've lived in three cities across two continents and have come back here"
"Where's your piercings?"
"Are you still single?! Have you even kissed a girl yet?"
and probably berate me for various other things like not wearing eyeliner any more, selling my guitar (tho I think he'd respect I do have a snowboard now) and ask me lots of questions about the internet and broadband-speed porn.
No comments:
Post a Comment