Things I Wish I Could Tell My 16 Year Old Self

I wish I could go back to being 16 and pass myself a handbook on the dos and donts of the teenage lifestyle. Knowing my 16-year-old self, I would look at the cover, put it on display somewhere in my room where it looks cute and probs never read it. I guess that is what learning is all about. Unfortunately, I don't have a book for you guys to add to your room decor, but I do have a few tips and tricks to help guide you through the rollercoaster that is your teenage years.

1. Take care of yourself - you don’t always need to please others

It can be so overwhelming constantly bending over backward to try and keep others happy. At this time in your life, you're not responsible for anyone else’s happiness. Be kind and soft with other people’s emotions but continue to focus on looking after yourself and pouring into your own cup. 

2. Don’t be so hard on yourself

Trust me when I say time and growth can heal a lot. There is no point in crying over that failed maths exam (I mean I once copped a 24%). You aren’t going to be the best at everything yet - you're still a child who is learning and growing. Mistakes will turn into lessons you have learned and this will benefit you as you age and learn more about life.

3. There is no point in excessive comparison

I wish I could give my 16-year-old self a big hug and guide her to stop feeling so insecure. In your teenage years, comparison is such a massive thing (and it’s tiring). You could sit around thinking ‘this person is smarter than me, more talented than me, or more attractive than me’, or you could remind yourself that everyone is different. We all have our unique things going for us. This is definitely something I’m still learning to cope with but I like to remember that another person's gifts don't take away from my own.

4. He’s definitely not the ‘love of your life'

The countless times I can recall myself proclaiming to my friends at lunchtime ‘he's the love of my life’. It’s not a bad thing to be carried away with all the excitement and intensity of our first relationship. It's actually super wholesome. Although I came to realize not all of my crushes were ‘the one’. In saying this though, what's life without a bit of romanticizing? Pop on Teenage Fantasy by Jorga Smith on the bus ride to school and feel all those feelings, but try not to let yourself sit around feeling sad for too long if you get hurt. By this time next year, I’m sure you’ll be crushing over the new ‘love of your life’. 

5. Soak up the time rather than worrying about the future

As a teenager who was overthinking every move I made and constantly fearing my future, I would have benefited from hearing this. I look back on being 16 and wish I had focused more on enjoying all the laughs and happiness felt. Whether that was being with my friends or spending countless days at the beach soaking up the sun. Rather than letting the voice in the back of my head deter my focus, I try to remind myself to stay present in the moment and savor my happiness while it’s here.

Take it from me - the biggest thing I can say is to make sure you snatch up all the smiles and laughs in the world and try to never wipe them off your face. Because that’s what being young is all about.