If I could tell my adolescent self what I know now...

[AGDee]

1. Ask that boy you've had a crush on since 2nd grade to the Sadie Hawkins dance. He confessed at the 5 year reunion that he always wanted to ask you out but was afraid to. Of course, by then, you were engaged to an abusive jerk and your marriage didn't last long. 30 years later, that crush is a multimillionaire CFO of a really huge company. So ask him to the Sadie Hawkins dance- you could change your whole life path.
2. You are not fat at 5'3" and 130 pounds but if you don't get a realistic grip on your body image, it will become a self fulfilling prophesy.
3. Ask that boy crush to the dance, seriously!!!!!!!!!!!!
4. Don't start smoking.
5. Don't settle. Ever.
6. Go to the med school program when you get accepted. You will be able to juggle a family and being a doctor, especially if you're married to that crush.
7. ASK HIM TO THAT DANCE!!!!!!!!!!

If you don't ask him to that dance, don't ever Google him 25 years later. What's Google? You'll know.

[ASTalumna06]

Originally Posted by 33girl

Everything else I kind of learned once I went away to college and looked at my small town and said "oh, I guess that WASN'T the world, and I'm quite glad that I didn't fit into it."

Originally Posted by clarinette

People who say that you must hate your family for going to a college so far away have no concept of your dreams and wants. That college will change you from a child to an adult in so many ways; ignore the high school kids.

Yes and yes!

People look at me like I'm crazy for moving and living in different places. There is so much to see and do in this world and so many people to meet that I can't imagine staying in the same place for my entire life.

Everyone and everything is only a plane ride away.

[lovespink88]

Originally Posted by ASUADPi

Oh man what I would tell my 13 year old self from my 34 year old self.

1. Don't pull your eyebrows

This might sound like an odd thing to say, but I have suffered from Trichotillomania since I was 13. Within a weeks time frame, at the end of 8th grade, I pulled out all my eyebrows. People didn't understand what I had done and why I couldn't stop.
I found out in about 2000 that this had a name of Trichotillomania and it is a form of OCD (as recognized in the current DSM V).
I struggle every day not to pull. I was doing well. I was at one point 75 days pull free this year but me not being able to find a job in my new city and pay my bills and living back with my parents took its toll and my hard work of not pulling went down the drain. It is a daily struggle!

My heart literally skipped a beat reading this. My hand was at a particular spot on my head that I have been paying too much attention to (aka fellow trichster here!) I have first displayed symptoms at the age of 4. Yes, 4. The absolute worst time was age 9-10 with very noticeable bald spots on my head. Since then I've had two spots that are covered by my hair unless I wear a certain pony tail. It's not terrible but it needs to spot. Everything I have tried thus far has not work but I am currently in therapy for this specifically. Hugs to you!

I do have to say, I lol'd that one of the things you would tell yourself is to stop pulling. You know it's not that easy!!!!!

[ASUADPi]

Originally Posted by lovespink88

My heart literally skipped a beat reading this. My hand was at a particular spot on my head that I have been paying too much attention to (aka fellow trichster here!) I have first displayed symptoms at the age of 4. Yes, 4. The absolute worst time was age 9-10 with very noticeable bald spots on my head. Since then I've had two spots that are covered by my hair unless I wear a certain pony tail. It's not terrible but it needs to spot. Everything I have tried thus far has not work but I am currently in therapy for this specifically. Hugs to you!

I do have to say, I lol'd that one of the things you would tell yourself is to stop pulling. You know it's not that easy!!!!!

Hugs to you too sweetie!

It may be in a semi-private forum (as most people don't know our real names) but this is the first time I've "publically" admitted that I suffer from Trich. But there isn't a reason to be ashamed. It is a recognized disorder. I have tried therapy but I haven't found anyone who specializes in OCD. The town I live in, while it is a military town, isn't as big as Phoenix.

[IUHoosiergirl88]

1. Be nicer to your mom while she's ill. Yes, you're under a lot of stress trying to juggle being a normal person and having a mom with cancer--but you'll regret some of the fights when she's gone.

2. Don't take it personally that nobody asked you to prom. You'll get told that you 'got hot' in college.

3. Don't be so solid in your career ideas, you may end up passing up a great opportunity. But no worries, you didn't, and it worked out for the best. You will have the coolest job in the world, little me

4. As a follow up to #1, don't be afraid to tell your dad that you do need to talk to someone. You'll 'feel better' years earlier than you did without it

[DubaiSis]

1-LET IT GO. Nothing is worth the teen angst
2-Your friends are crap. Get new ones.
3- the popular girls who annoy the hell out of you, some of them are actually nice and like you more than you think.
4- Do NOT take that summer camp job in Wisconsin.
5-Ok, you can take the job at Club Med but
5a- make sure you stretch before dance rehearsal and
5b- seriously, you have got to chill
6-you are ridiculously flexible
Protect that or one day you will be a rubber band that has gotten brittle
7-seriously, let it go

[aephi alum]

Originally Posted by IUHoosiergirl88

1. Be nicer to your mom while she's ill. Yes, you're under a lot of stress trying to juggle being a normal person and having a mom with cancer--but you'll regret some of the fights when she's gone.

This. OMG. This.

[thetalady]

This has become my very favorite thread. Very inspirational and touching.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by IUHoosiergirl88

2. Don't take it personally that nobody asked you to prom. You'll get told that you 'got hot' in college.

HIGH FREAKIN' FIVE.