My teenage self was a stubborn and persistent menace to society. And I would tell her to stay exactly as she is and not change one bit. I often refer to myself in my teen years as a version I want to get back to because, while I was a kid and had limited opportunities, I had a stronger sense of self in those years and I was more adamant about reaching for what I want.
On the other hand, I would also tell myself that things will work out in the end and that I need to stop being a sort of completionist. Before and even today, I see giving up as a personal failure. I always had this belief that if I start something, I have to finish it so when I would be confronted with the thoughts of giving up or changing course, it would take me a long time to adapt and accept that something in my life just isn’t working the way it should.
For example, I struggled a lot with leaving university. Already at the middle of my third year, I knew it wasn’t for me anymore but I still enrolled in grad school and pushed myself to continue, even though it was destroying my mental health and I was drowning in my own head. That fear of giving up also stems from my need to not disappoint anyone and, in that situation specifically, I was convinced I just disappointed everyone around me and that they are going to see me as a failure.
Oh, and I would absolutely tell my teenage self that she is going to start self-publishing her own books, sharing her works and even have a finished novel by the time she is 27.
What would you tell to your teenage self?
Love,
Luna
My books are available on Kindle: Identity Crisis and Rehab
I have a new video up:
I would have a lot of advice to give my teenage self if I could. My teenage self would ignore the advice though. I used to have a much bigger problem with authority figures than I do now, and I still don’t respect authority figures much. Most of them I’ve encountered, at least.
Ah, luna! The indomitable spirit of the teen self is extraordinary. Yet, we do carry a wisp of it into adulthood, don’t we? I can still spot it in your words. I liked the candid post. You have only to live up to your own expectations. Keep thriving!
My teen self is wondering how did you overcome all that! Sometimes I don’t even know how like you got the courage to drop out of college, being the first born in my family and all that expectations the family puts on you…(picture this… it’s really overwhelming) but college was not my thing… And the universe kept making it clear till it was crystal clear none of my life’s purpose aligns with having civil engineering certificate. LoL. So to my teen self… Am glad you had the guts to drop out,😁