Random Blatherings

I thought this might be a fun thing to do. I’m going to write some advice to my younger self. Stuff that I think would have been nice to hear while I was growing up (like I’m ever going to stop doing that). It’s too late now, but who cares.

Years 5 and below:

She will eventually stop grabbing you by the neck. I promise. Yes, the big wide world is scary. Get used to it. It happens a lot. Life does get better.

Years 5-10:

Do not be mean to the cat. Yes, it’s funny, but the cat doesn’t think so. And lets face it, you certainly wouldn’t like it if someone did that to you now, would you? Don’t bother calling for him. It’s not going to work. You’ll realise this pretty soon, and give up. She wont like it, but then again, she never will like anything you do. Cherish these years. They’re the most fun you’ll have for a long time.

Years 11-15:

Keep your mouth shut! I don’t care how lonely you are, or how much you want the attention. If you tell them, and you repeatedly will, you will have any shred of self esteem you once had stripped from you. These, aside from the couple of friends you make, will be some of the darkest years of your life. You will survive them, but it wont be easy. Eventually you’ll rebuild, and be stronger for it. Keep that thought uppermost in your mind. And remember; people will take advantage of you if you let them. The meek never inherited the earth.

Years 16-20:

Just keep going. You’ve been through worse. Rebuilding will be slow and lonely, but you will fall in love with someone, and it will heal you more than you know. You’ll get a stable job, earn a wage, and become an adult in the eyes of the law. Maturity you have already. You’ll build a friendship, and because of that realise that everyone is messed up in their own way. People aren’t always malicious. They’re just out for themselves. Remember what I said about being meek?

Years 20-present:

Life is getting better, isn’t it? You’ll be up and down, and confused a hell of a lot. Stick to what you know is true, and forget what other people tell you. Follow your heart, and do what you know is right, because that way, you’ll be able to stand tall, knowing that you did the right thing for you. Life now is better than it’s ever been. Even on the bad days. Follow your bliss, because nobody else is going to follow it for you. And if they did, pictures of it wouldn’t be the same. You are an honest, true young man. Nobody is going to tell you this, so you’ll have to tell yourself. And you will.

—–

Well, that turned out darker than I expected. Still, it’s interesting to look back.

What advice would you give to a younger version of yourself?