letters To Your Younger Self.

[hylas]

early teenage me: it gets better (cliché of clichés by now, but its true.)
early 20es me: yeah, this is all well and good, but a) get a job, b) dont spend all your money, and c) think seriously about your career.

[Hard-up1]

I'm sure I posted in this back when Seth started it, but I'm not going back three pages to read it. My thoughts this time are current.

Leave home. Do it sooner. Don't look back.

Do NOT become Baptist. You think you can help broaden those people, but you are wrong, and you will never get back the years.

Go to the other college. You will have a good chances of meeting a guy.

Don't major in music or English, and definitely do not teach. Double down and stay in science. It's you. Trust me. The arts are a good avocation, but not your calling.

Move to DC or a big city right after college. Aim higher.

Get roommates and learn what other people are like when you are still young.

Be happy.

[alphaxxx]

Get out a bit more. Don't let people get you down. Be happy and don't lose touch with your friends.

[eastofeden]

Dear Younger self...

You know those guys with the crazy eyes? AVOID THEM!

When you meet the mass murderer...keep your mouth shut. Really. Pretend you don't sense anything is wrong with him and dont' try to warn anyone about him because it will be a complete waste of time. It really IS awful that people are so swayed by appearances but it isn't your problem so dont' worry about it.

STOP with the Ronald Reagan hate fest. It will take up way too much of your time and energy and you are going to embarrass yourself badly...there are much easier ways to learn that particular life lesson.

Don't smoke...really...just stop it now.

When you hear OJ Simpson's name outside of football...turn off the TV and dont' turn it back on again for at least two years. If they talk about it on the radio...change the channel...if you read about it in the paper...skip that article.

One day someone is gonna ask for a volunteer to pour 7 Up at a Kung Fu exhibition..do NOT...I repeat...do NOT raise your hand and volunteer even when you know the alternative is shoveling shit off the beach in the blazing sun all day.

Don't kick the cop in the balls...you will regret it.

Oh yeah..when you are offered calamari the first time..take it.

(PS...Good Luck with G...it might seem like you are in hell but trust me...it is a necessary evil and you dodged a much bigger bullet)

[blackbeltninja]

^Gosh.

Details please! It sounds like your life was as interesting as a barrel full of monkeys high on crack.

-d-

[mitchymo]

I'd tell myself not to be afraid of smacking my school bullies in their big fat mouths, and not be afraid of the consequences. Standing up against tyranny makes you stronger.

[eastofeden]

^Gosh.

Details please! It sounds like your life was as interesting as a barrel full of monkeys high on crack.

-d-

LOL....ahhh...the details....there are so many....

[Anders123]

Your friends are not your friends. They are destroying you, and you are letting them. Don't spend another Friday night hoping they'll return your calls. They wont. And you'll have to sit there again on Monday morning listening as they reminisce about their weekend together. Don't do this to yourself. It's not that you're a terrible person, or a terrible friend, or that you lack wit and charisma; they're just not right for you. Stop trying to force it, and stop hating yourself for failing. Let them go. You will be better for it, I assure you.

In the future, you will be surrounded by people who love you, but you'll still feel like an outsider; like you don't belong. These people you call friends will scar you, and it's going to take a lot of work to move past it all. Get out now. Get out before you lose what's left of your self-confidence. Your intuition is strong, so fucking listen to it. You will be better off alone than with these people who make you feel worthless. It may seem daunting, but you wont be alone forever. You will be loved, and I want for you to be able to appreciate that love instead of doubting it.

Get out. Trust me. Just get. Out.



(Christ, that was cathartic. I need to lie down.)

[MissAnne]

Dear Younger Me,

Try not to stress too much, everything isnt as serious as you can make it out to be.
Spend more time with the people that you love. They will not always be here.
Value yourself. You're great! Only surround yourself with people that appreciate and respect you.
Be more paitient with yourself and others.
Listen more.
Stick up for yourself.

[M10000]

You have lived your whole life (almost) after this dumb vow you made in 1983 to kill yourself in 10 years.
10 years came and went. In 1989, you had a 357 magnum and you still didnt pull the trigger
In 2013, you've done nothing with your life and this false belief that you are going to kill yourself one day.
Hey guess what, your still here.
If you dont kill yourself when you have a loaded 357 in your hand, you know what, it probably aint gonna happen. And no, you probably wouldnt have felt the bullet go through your head.
When you see your therapist at 4 pm today, talk to him about that because you have this ideation with suicide that has messed up your whole life
You'll be 48 and Dr Phil is going to ask "how'd that (vow) work out for ya?

[LaughOutLoud]

Don't start smoking.

[Audio Tech]

Dear younger me,

Don't listen to what society tries to pound into your head. You like boys. That's just how it is. ACT on it, despite your crippling fears of rejection and being thrown out of your family. You could not be more wrong. Don't wait until you are 45 to finally break and come out. You will have missed the best time of your life.... your youth.

You know, that guy you go swimming with that's so friendly to you? He's trying to tell you. Take the hint, you idiot!

Don't fall in love with that guy at your first job. It seems wonderful at first, but will nearly destroy you later. Find a gay boy instead, stick to your job even though it sometimes sucks and get that 401K. Buy Apple and Microsoft stock when you have the chance. Retire at 45 and do something else you love.

And next months winning lotto numbers are........

[G-Lexington]

Dear Young Lex,

Good news. It all works out.

Love, Old Lex

[HoodedRat]

To a much, much younger me.

Dear Gar, a few words of advice, how ever bad things seem, don't ever sell any of your guitars just to pay a few pathetic bills.

[refujiunderground]

dear younger self

you should have beat up, stomped out, robbed or terrorized whoever you wanted to terrorize when you were a juvenile. that way you would have no regrets now because your record would be expunged. then you wouldn't have so much built in frustration and hostility right now where you're at the fringe of whipping somebody's ass if you get mad.


peace

old refuji.

[youfiad]

To whom it may concern,

Love, happiness, and acceptance is paramount.

Yours truly,

Older you

[Adrusek81]

To my younger self,

Realize that just because you are genetically related to someone, it doesn't mean that you have to love and respect them unquestioningly: these things have to be earned, and you shouldn't give them without expecting nothing in return... Also, do not take in people's emotional detritus. They are THEIR own issues and there's no reason why they should use you as an emotional toilet. Let them deal with them on their own. You don't have the obligation to be anyone's saviour.

Try to cultivate a better, more balanced relationship with your mother and your brother - after all, they are the only two people in life who truly love you, and deserve your love in return. Do not take them for granted so often and do not resent them so much. They may be older, but they are doing what they can given their circumstances. Treat them with the care, love and consideration that they respect at all times, cooperate more with them, and you will all be happier.

Sever all ties with your father much sooner than you will do and remember that violence is not acceptable in any way. He may be a bastard and I know that you want to murder him, but constantly insulting, hitting, spitting, kicking, punching and trying to bash each other's brains in won't lead you anywhere but prison. If he tries to assault you again, do not get hold of any blunt or sharp objects: just call the police. Remember to tell the same things to your brother, because he is even more hot tempered than you are and the piece of shit you have for a father isn't worth ruining your lives over, nor is it fair to cause your mother so much suffering.

Send the rest of the family to fuck off already, and ignore whatever stupidities they tell your mother on the phone. They are definitely not worth the time you'll waste being angry and upset.

Concentrate much more on your studies and do not be so overconfident. You'll reach a point where commitment and discipline will be necessary much sooner than you think, and the anxiety you will feel over these issues once you reach university could have been avoided with a bit of constancy every day.

Be a bit more selfish with others and try not to be so solicitous and generous - I know you think that you are evil and that people will dislike you instantly, but overcompensating won't really help you to overcome these feelings. Only therapy will. Also, remember that believing in God and feeling guilty over everything are two different things, and that a morbid sense of duty and martyrdom are not healthy things. Oh, and if anyone tries to take advantage of you, send them off. You deserve better and if they don't respect you, the don't love you.

Enjoy life more, love yourself much more and don't take things so personally - there are far more important issues than the ones you're facing now, and they will all bring happiness into your life.

Sincerely,

Your older, wiser Self.

[justanothershyguy]

Dear younger self;

Don't worry about what other people think of you. What you think, what your friends think, what your family thinks, and what all of your other loved ones think is much more important. If someone doesn't like who you are, then too bad for them. You are a good person, and you should do good things. Treat everyone with respect and it will be reciprocated. If you falter, they won't.

Sincerely with much love,
Matt

[CupidBoy]

Dear Cupid from this morning,

You gonna keep it cute all day.

Love, Cupid.

[CupidBoy]

Dear Cupid from this morning,

You gonna keep it cute all day.

Love, Cupid.

P.S. - Hew else?

[animalius]

Dear my younger self,

Here are the lottery #'s for the next 2 years.

Love,

Your older self.

[BronzeBoyturnedBronzeMan]

Dear Bronzeboy,

No you are not crazy tho you do get misinterpreted alot stick to what you believe but dont be afraid to have sn open mind. People hate, people love, it is all apart life. Accept yourself for who you are. The quicker you can the stronger you get. Spend more time with your parents for they are loving, and they accept you no matter who you are and what you become. Stop Smoking. Work on you bball game, you never no how far you could have gone if you had better stamina. Continue to do the heroic and stand for what you believe in. Take a close look at you friends, you have great ones who will accept you no matter what and if not to hell with them.

Love, Bronzeman

[CupidBoy]

Dear Cupid,

When you go to that Kylie concert don't worry about looking cute, those new shoes will hurt your feet.

Love, Cupid.

[refujiunderground]

dear p

keep masturbating. fuck going on a jerk off strike. masturbating is natural. don't ever keep yourself from yourself.

thank you, p.

[SaskGuy]

Among other things, I'd tell my 18 year old self not to date that girl. That was a hellish experience. Not only because I was living in denial that I was gay, but also because she was a psycho controlling bitch!
(I managed to get rid of her though. I didn't have the heart to straight up dump her, so I just acted like a bit of an asshole, which I also feel bad about doing.)
Oh well, at least there were some good times in that experience. Also, I'm glad to say that I'm still a gold star gay!

[Kyanimal]

Dear Chuck,

Don't sweat the petty stuff, and pet a lot more of the sweaty stuff!

And, Yeah! ... no matter what ...

Keep smilin'!!
Chaz

[ronboy]

Time for an update.....

To my post year 2000 self...
-love Dave but don't give all of your heart to him...he doesn't deserve that much of you...
-teaching is turning into a political fiasco...consider leaving and moving on to something else...
-continue participating in Link Me All Over, you never know where it will lead to...
-if you run into Clancy at your college reunion in 2005, proposition him (you know that you still want him...)
-be strong for Dad, because he's going to need you to be strong...

[braex27]

Dear younger me -

I just wanted to give you the following advice:

1. In 2001, you should just tell him you like him.

2. In 2004, you should accept the first offer that is made.

3. In 2011, you should accept the second offer that is made.

4. In 2012, the first division lottery numbers are [...]

You're welcome.

You (in 2013).

[PreTTy PeTe]

Dear Pete.

Whatever your shortfalls and whatever you will encounter in life they will strengthen you. You will cry a lot and a lot of your friends will die too early but grow from that and help others with the same illness cope. There will be a cure someday.

love Pete

[davy]

Dear Younger-me,

Yes, you are gay and, yes, mom and dad are going to freak out exactly the way you're think they're going to freak out when you tell them, but still come out to them as you planned it (more or less) and the universe is going to align itself to force them and you to reconcile quickly and you'll all benefit from it.

Apply to college immediately after high school and don't move to Phoenix with that douche bag you call your best friend... he'll drop you faster than a hooker drops her panties on payday once he realizes you're gay.

Live on campus instead and when you get your first real roommates, tell them you're gay; you'll have nothing to lose from it.

Ignore that little voice in your head that's telling you you're too fat to have a boyfriend. Go out to every bear and chubby chaser event you hear about and your dating card will be full with the kind of hotties you think you could never get.

And finally lay off on the credit cards!!!

Love Older me.

[MarcForExample]

Dear 16 year old me,

Write these down, or you'll forget, and they're important.....

1-There's no such thing as a 'hot to ugly' scale, it's all about individual tastes and different 'types' of guy. Believe it or not, some people DO find you attractive, so don't be shy about hitting on the cute ones. They might actually like you too.
2-You have your good points, and talents, and skills, so don't doubt yourself or do yourself down all the time. You are capable of making it in the world, and doing yourself proud.
3-Don't ever date anyone who's name starts with N, as he will fuck up 5 years of your life, then cheat on you, and dump you.
4-Canadians are hot and you're going to marry one.
5-I know you're starting to come out to people as gay, but in fact, you're bisexual. That's right, you like girls too. Don't wait until you're 28 to realise that, just because you're struggling with the same-sex attraction part right now.
6-Don't feel like you have to fit in: Being liked by people you don't care about, for being something you actually are not, is a waste of time. So forget Gender roles, school, popularity, all that crap. Just be yourself, and hang onto the real friends who love you for who and what you are (which is a kinky, weird, but hopefully decent, guy)

Take care kid.

Love, older you

PS: Befriend a musician named Elliot Gleave, aka Example: he's hot, so get in good with him before he makes it big.

[syoBsUtsuJ]

When I was in 6th grade, our social science teacher had us write ourselves a letter that we would get upon graduation. Well, I ended up graduating two years early, so it took over a decade later for me to receive mine. Lol ... my grammar was atrocious, but I actually did succeed in accomplishing what I'd set for myself back then. I did just read that again a couple of days ago, so this thread is somewhat serendipitous.

[justanothershyguy]

Younger self:

Apply yourself more. Good doesn't have to be good enough.

[Thrice]

Dear 16 Year Old Self,

You are incredibly strong and smart for seeing a therapist to deal with some of the ex-related bullshit. You should come out to your parents as soon as possible. You know they'll be supportive, but don't worry about the "finality" of it, it's just accepting the finality of who you really are.

Be proud of who you are, no matter what happens in the next year or two. It's going to be shitty, but Mom's going to beat cancer into an oblivion.

Don't beat yourself up too much about your social life. You're going to be an extrovert at times, just not all the time. If you pick the right college like I did, it's going to work out beautifully. You'll make a lot of friends right away and stick with some of the absolute best ones.

Start running every day now, it'll make high school so much more bearable. When you get to college, watch the empty calories from alcohol and the dining halls.

Nobody ever gets it all figured out. We just keep rolling with the punches and try not to repeat our mistakes.

Oh, and also, don't worry about McCain/Palin, Obama's got this one easily.

Your Friend,
20-Year Old Self

[PreTTy PeTe]

I would also say hey kid

"Never wait or hesitate
Get in kid, before it's too late
You may never get another chance
'Cos youth a mask but it don't last
live it long and live it fast"

with thanks to Rod Stewart.

[USEDCAR]

Dear Younger self

Make your own friends don't hang out with all the preppy and jock people because they are not really your friends.
That girl you met in study hall don't become her bff she will stab you in the back a few times
Go out more don't be afraid to go on the bus or walk places, Our town is much more safe back then
Used all that free time learning things and getting better in Math and English you will need it in College
Don't be scared of driving for the first 3 years take chances
Become Better friends with David in your class he wasn't really a bad guy. He really wanted to be your friend and you didn't allow him in your life i think you could of both helped each other out.
Take High School More Seriously don't clown around or slack off or take easy classes.
For the love of God don't take that stupid store class at the Tech school you will have a hard time finding a job. Pick a decent Healthcare trade and use that after your done High School.
Go to College right after High School don't work anywhere shitty or waste your years working in Dietary in the hospital.
Speak up if you don't like something say it just don't shut down
And whatever actions you do when you're young will effect you in the future.

[CupidBoy]

A lot of 'A-ha' moments here, I must say.

[BENDERBOY]

Go on that camping trip with your mates, seems they got up to some real dirty stuff.

[kindabikindagay]

mine would be.. : no, don't spend that day going all "I'll just be gay for the rest of the day and never again" because look at how ridiculous you sound. God.. this is why I hate kids.. why am I even talking to you? go away.


yeah I think I would just bully myself :/