How is your life going so far? Are you feeling satisfied overall? After having experienced life’s hurdles, it is likely that you are now able to reflect more deeply on how things have turned out thus far.
So, once in a while, you can look back on how things were, the places you've been in, and the situations you have faced all these years. Sure enough, it’s been quite a ride.
Still, wouldn't it be wonderful to travel back in time, meet your 16-year-old self, and use all the lessons learned to make things a little bit better? Here are 48 things you could say to your 16-year-old self:
Jump to:
- 1. You’re Good Enough
- 2. Life Is Good
- 3. Your Friends Love You
- 4. Talk to Your Crush
- 5. Enjoy Life
- 6. Be True to Yourself
- 7. Believe In Yourself
- 8. If You Want Something, Ask
- 9. Stop Worrying About The Future
- 10. Don’t Expect Miracles
- 11. Think Before You Speak
- 12. Dreams Do Come True
- 13. Stop Being Shy
- 14. Good Friends are Precious
- 15. Face Your Fear
- 16. Meet New People
- 17. Be There for Your Friends
- 18. Smile More
- 19. Respect Yourself
- 20. Keep Your Pace
- 21. Reflect On Yourself
- 22. Study Hard
- 23. People Will Judge You
- 24. Love Is All You Need
- 25. Stand Up and Speak
- 26. Eat Well and Exercise
- 27. Your Parents Will be Gone
- 28. Don’t Try to Change Anyone
- 29. Get Yourself Up
- 30. Don’t Believe Social Media
- 31. Jump In Any Opportunities
- 32. Accept Yourself
- 33. Everybody Hurts
- 34. It’s Just A Job
- 35. Feel Your Scars
- 36. Life Is A Journey
- 37. Your Mind Is A Powerful Tool
- 38. Fight Hard
- 39. Don’t Think So Much
- 40. Happiness Is A Process
- 41. Carefully Choose A Career
- 42. Try Things Out
- 43. Be More Forgiving
- 44. Avoid Negative People
- 45. You Can’t Save Everyone
- 46. Waste Your Money On Experiences
- 47. Stay Out of The Sun
- 48. Do Art
1. You’re Good Enough
Many of the things you encounter during your age until the early 20s will make you feel like you’re not good enough. If you ever feel so, tell yourself otherwise!
2. Life Is Good
Even if it feels like there are just too many things going on and life is no good, it is actually still good for the most part. If something goes wrong, remind yourself: it’s just a bad day, not a bad life.
3. Your Friends Love You
There are probably times that make you feel like your friends don’t really care about you. However, you shouldn’t listen to yourself, especially if you know you have the tendency to bully your own self. Stop assuming and know that you’re loved.
4. Talk to Your Crush
If you talk to the girl or guy you have a crush on, you will get through whatever happens in no time! Don’t let your fear hold you back from potentially beautiful opportunities for connection.
5. Enjoy Life
Be kind to others and do what makes your heart sing. Also, stop comparing yourself to others. Remember that you are here to enjoy it.
6. Be True to Yourself
Life will definitely throw unexpected things at you. Your job is to take it and learn from it while sticking with a true sense of who you are. Do this repeatedly, and you’ll turn into the best version of yourself.
7. Believe In Yourself
This might sound like a hard and bitter pill to swallow, but you must keep in mind that no one will ever believe in you as much as you do.
8. If You Want Something, Ask
The best way (and easiest) way to get something is to ask for it. You should, without a doubt, do it in a nice and polite way.
9. Stop Worrying About The Future
It is actually a good thing that we don’t have the ability to know what is going to happen in the future. Otherwise, too many things will stress us out.
10. Don’t Expect Miracles
If you expect your life to turn 180o and suddenly become a king overnight, stop doing it! Miracles don’t happen, and you need to work things out.
11. Think Before You Speak
Sooner or later, you will find that it is often best not to react to anything immediately. Keep this in mind, especially if you are like a little firecracker.
12. Dreams Do Come True
Giving up is not and never will be a choice. Don’t be afraid to chase your dreams, even if you feel like they are too big for you.
13. Stop Being Shy
It is understandable that some people tend to be shy. It’s best to overcome your shyness as soon as possible so that you can meet new, amazing people who’ll add light to your life.
14. Good Friends are Precious
Yes, you might think that you are strong enough to go through life on your own. Still, having one or two close friends along the way will make things fun.
15. Face Your Fear
Sometimes, fear feels like a wolf that hunts you down on a snowy mountain. However, once you learn how to defeat it, you will no longer have to fear it.
16. Meet New People
Meeting new people, as well as the opportunities that they bring, is a real gift from life, and you should be very grateful for it.
17. Be There for Your Friends
Once in a while, your friends will go through hard times, just like you are. Be there for them and support them in any way you can.
18. Smile More
Don’t let any of your worries keep you from putting a big smile on your face. Happiness is a choice, and it often starts with putting up a smile.
19. Respect Yourself
Stop comparing yourself to other people and start telling yourself every time you wake up, “You are unique, and you deserve the best things in life.”
20. Keep Your Pace
A lot of people say that life is a “rat race” and you should move fast to survive. However, don’t forget your pace because it is a marathon.
21. Reflect On Yourself
Self-reflection is what you need to continuously improve yourself. Also, don’t spend too much of your time ruminating on how others have hurt you.
22. Study Hard
You don’t need to be that geeky student, but don’t take your studies lightly because your hard work will definitely pay off in the future.
23. People Will Judge You
Life is full of judgemental people, and chances are you’ll come across them every once in a while. Stop worrying about them and start concentrating on yourself.
24. Love Is All You Need
Love is what makes this life beautiful and bearable. Love those who are always around you, and be mindful about the love they send in your way!
25. Stand Up and Speak
It is not always an easy thing to do, especially if you are under some pressure. But you should learn how to stand up and speak for the things you care about.
26. Eat Well and Exercise
Eating well and exercising are some of the things that will improve your quality of life. The older you get, the more grateful you will be for your healthy habits.
27. Your Parents Will be Gone
Your parents don’t live forever and will be gone someday. Make time to speak to them while you can and ask them for life lessons.
28. Don’t Try to Change Anyone
Trying to take control of anyone and changing them is one of the worst things you can do in life. The only one you can change is yourself.
29. Get Yourself Up
There will be times when life comes with an unexpected jab that knocks you down. When this happens, get yourself together and get back on your feet.
30. Don’t Believe Social Media
One of the best ways to have a fulfilling life is to not spend too much time scrolling on your screen. Remember, most of the things you see there are made up.
31. Jump In Any Opportunities
It’s never wrong to be cautious and test the water at first. But you will never know what the things hidden behind your fear are if you don’t jump in.
32. Accept Yourself
Constantly complaining about yourself is a waste of energy. Instead, try to accept yourself as it is and make the best version out of it.
33. Everybody Hurts
People, no matter who they are, go through tough times in life. Thus, if you ever feel a little pinch, be okay with it and move on.
34. It’s Just A Job
A job is always just a job, and it will never be bigger than that. Never let it rule you or consume your whole life, and be open to other interesting things in life.
35. Feel Your Scars
If you don’t want to be burdened by your traumatic experiences, admit that you are vulnerable and figure out where your scars are. That’s the only way you can heal.
36. Life Is A Journey
Life is a long journey that’s worth every step. If you feel like you are clueless about where you are, stop for a while and don’t panic. Things will change.
37. Your Mind Is A Powerful Tool
Don’t underestimate how your mind can affect your life. It can change you in many ways. In fact, you can be anyone you want because of it.
38. Fight Hard
Life is too short not to fight for the people and things you love. Do whatever it takes, and never apologize for it.
39. Don’t Think So Much
Sometimes, all the bad things in life happen just in your mind. For this reason, you should stop spending way too many nights overthinking things that never happen.
40. Happiness Is A Process
Maybe the reason you don’t feel happy about your life is that you see it as a destination. If you do, try to change your perspective and see it as an ongoing process.
41. Carefully Choose A Career
While it is true that you can never be too late to start over a new career, choosing the right one at an early age can be a big plus.
42. Try Things Out
If you want to get the most experiences in life, you have to teach yourself to be open to new opportunities and be brave enough to try them out.
43. Be More Forgiving
Life may have led you to think that forgiveness is a weakness, but it’s really not. In fact, it will polish you until you become the strongest person.
44. Avoid Negative People
There are people who are so negative they can change the mood of a whole room. Try to avoid them in any way you can.
45. You Can’t Save Everyone
It is a good thing to have that good Samaritan in you. Nonetheless, you should keep in mind that not everyone is willing to be saved.
46. Waste Your Money On Experiences
Materialistic things will never give you the satisfaction you are looking for. Instead, invest your time and money in making great memories with your loved ones.
47. Stay Out of The Sun
Putting on loads of sunscreen on your skin is necessary to keep you healthy and looking young longer. Opt for that fake tan if you really need to.
48. Do Art
No, you don’t have to buy a full set of brushes and the most expensive tubes of paints you can find. Still, doing something artistic is great for your soul.
