10 things I wish I knew when I was 19

For those of us at “this age”, we can remember that there was nothing you could tell us at “that age”. We knew it all didn’t we? But really, how little we knew, and don’t learn for years to come either.

This is not a list of regrets, although it could be seen that way, I’m glad I was the way I was, otherwise I wouldn’t know these things now and be able to say, hey, listen here!! Nothing worse than a hypocrite trying to tell you something they’ve never experienced, am I right?

So in some order, here are the things I know now that I wish I knew at 19:

1. I was gorgeous! – Only by the simple matter that I was young and had the rest of my life to deal with looks. Wish I didn’t obsess on it at a time when I didn’t need to.
2. You’re not alone. – No matter how bleak life can be sometimes, no one is truly alone. Reach out to someone near you when you’re down, you’ll be lifted.
3. The worst they can say is ‘No’. – If that’s the worst they can throw at you, move on. It’s not the end of the world and eventually, you’ll get a yes.
4. Some form of patience. – I don’t quite have this down as much as I would like even now, wish I had started earlier on this.
5. Save more money. – Nothing more frustrating than starting at 35 what you could have started at 20.
6. The first won’t be the last. – Never fall in love every time. You can end up with “a thousand wasted kisses”, and a broken heart, over and over again.
7. Laughter IS the best medicine. – Have fun, don’t be so serious, moody, brooding and angst-ridden all the time. But stay out of trouble.
8. Age is the great qualifier. – For everything you do, make the most of it. If you’re 19 and starting out, listen to the gray haired person teaching you the ropes, you’ll be them one day.
9. Faith can make you stronger. – I’m not preaching one religion over another, I don’t care what you believe in, as long as you trust me when I say, believe in something.
10. Family is everything. – Love them no matter what slight may happen. One day you’ll wake up feeling robbed after you’ve missed spending the holidays with your Father, or your brother become a doctor, or not speaking to your Great-Gramma for months, only to one day find them gone, with no apologies and no final words of “I love you”.

Not to get too melancholy, but remember that life is meant to be lived, never forget what makes you, YOU, in the time that you have. And share every possible moment of joy and all of its experiences with others whenever you can.

Cos I know now, that in 20 years when I look back and have 10 more things that I wish I knew at 39 that I’ll know at 59…I can’t wait to find out what it will be!

~Tet~