10 Things I Regret From My Teenage Years

Because I froth Back To The Future, I'm always daydreaming over what I'd do differently if I could turn back time. The million-dollar question is, what would I change if I could live out my teen years again?

Oh man, those teen years are a rollercoaster aren't they? You're speeding up, down, side to side with sudden changes in direction, most of the time out of control. There's no wonder why a lot of us have regrets! How could we possibly be a functional human whilst going through all that?

But if I could go back, knowing that it will all be okay, here is what I'd change.

1. Not sending it

As a teenager, it's natural to be pretty scared of the world. What I did wrong is I let that fear get in the way of just sending it!

Why didn't I just tell my crush that I was whipped on him? Why didn't I wag school to go on cheeky adventures with my mates? Why didn't I dance like the fool that I am at house parties? 

If I could go back in time, I'd do all of the above and some. So what if my crush says "yeah nah"! So what if I get into some trouble! So what if people think I'm a nutcase. Everything is a big deal... and then it's not. There's no point in not sending it because you'll only regret it if you don't.

2. Caring what people think

I was always a people pleaser and with that territory came worrying about what people thought of me. These were constant thoughts in my head:

"If I wear this, they'll think I'm weird".

"If I do this, they'll think I'm a loser".

"If I say that, they might not laugh".

I wish I could tell myself to stop being a sad sack of potatoes, shut off that internal monologue and stop caring about being a perfect human. How very boring it is to be a sheep and try to be like everybody else. How very lame it is to care what others think of you. What do you think of you? That's what really matters.

3. Not taking any pictures

I have no pictures of my teen years and that's depressing. I wish I'd bought a disposable camera and snapped all the groovy moments... The parties, the events, the camping trips, the excursions, the sleepovers... 

4. Wasting time

I wasted a lot of time when I could have been figuring out my passions and interests. Man, if I could go back, I'd start surfing at 13 so that I'd be world-class by now. I'd take art classes and learn guitar from YouTube. I'd learn French and figure out how to be more sustainable. 

I could have figured out what I want to pursue with my life wayyyy younger whilst picking up gnarly skills along the way.

5. Not journalling

I have to be honest, the teen angst would be hilarious to read about now. I'm sure my journal would read like this:

"Jessie and I played hangman in class today. He grabbed my shoulder and I thought I'd melt right on that spot. When will he realise that I'm the girl of his dreams?"

But seriously, my teen years, like yours, are frazzling! You're experiencing so many dang firsts like your first car, first kiss, first heartbreak, first job and I wish I had written it out for future me to reminisce.

6. Not reading

After my teen years, I realised that reading is basically the best thing a person can do. Seriously.

I wish that I'd know that a few years earlier when I was dazed and confused about the world around me. I could have learnt so much about myself and the universe by reading books by Gloria Steinem, Alan Watts, Hunter S. Thompson and Patti Smith. 

7. Gossiping

Check yourself before you wreck yourself.

Seriously, gossiping is rank. When I look back at the times I'd talk smack about people in my teen years, I want to peel the skin from my body from cringing so much. Judging and whispering about people is a waste of your fuel and just bad vibes man! Yuck!

Maybe I could use the time I spent gossiping on being an actual nice human. Fancy that.

8. Not learning life skills

When I moved out of home, boy did I have a storm coming. I was a terrible cook, I didn't know how to budget, I was always turning my clothes pink whilst doing the laundry... I wish I'd learnt how to basically look after myself.

9. Not being grateful

Why is it that I never thanked my parents for being unreal? Never thanked my good teachers (like you Mr. Norberry - you were unreal yet I never told you). I never ever thanked my friends for being incredible.

My 'rents would always want me to come out to brekkie with them. I'd always say no because I couldn't be bothered and then, after I moved out, I'd miss them sooo much and wish I'd simply gone to brekkie with them more. Appreciate your friends and family. Appreciate your successes and advantages. Be grateful.

10. Wishing the time away

I spent so much time wishing the time away and not just living in the moment. I was always saying:

"I can't wait to finish high school."

"I can't wait to move out."

"I can't wait to be an adult."

Whilst those things are pretty red hot, guess what. I can't wait for time travel to be invented so I can live out my teen years again. They were crazy, overwhelming and frazzling, but man, they were unreal.