You don't owe the world a goddamn thing.
 Minta79
                                                
                                                Level 7
                                                Oct 30, 2018
                                            
                                                
                                                    Minta79
                                                
                                                Level 7
                                                Oct 30, 2018                                            
                                        how are you doing?
I don't know for sure, but I'm pretty sure my 18-year-old self wouldn't listen.
 Tomfoolery33
                                                
                                                Level 9
                                                Oct 29, 2018
                                            
                                                
                                                    Tomfoolery33
                                                
                                                Level 9
                                                Oct 29, 2018                                            
                                        Put education first no matter what.
Don't let others dictate on how you should live your life.
3.Don't listen to gossip. Remember when you are not around, you will be the subject of gossip.
Put up healthy boundaries and enforce as needed.
Stay away from toxic people.
 Katsarecool
                                                
                                                Level 7
                                                June 8, 2019
                                            
                                                
                                                    Katsarecool
                                                
                                                Level 7
                                                June 8, 2019                                            
                                        Just because someone falls in love with you, doesn't mean you have to let them guilt you into taking over your life. It's okay to say "no thank you."
Also, when a relationship turns sour, it's okay to trust your gut and leave. The sooner the better, especially if there is abuse. If he smacks you around, leave as soon as possible. It does not get better, and you do deserve better. It is far better to be alone than to be stuck in an abusive or controlling relationship.
If you know how you want to live your life, cut out the people who keep you from it, and just live your life. Just because there is an expectation in our society that everyone needs to be paired up, doesn't mean everyone has to. Live your life how you want to.
 Julie808
                                                
                                                Level 8
                                                Oct 30, 2018
                                            
                                                
                                                    Julie808
                                                
                                                Level 8
                                                Oct 30, 2018                                            
                                        Don't focus on getting married. It won't make you happy and lead nowhere. Love yourself before trying to love others. Go back to school, quit your parent's cult, study and work hard.
 Nathalie_Quebec
                                                
                                                Level 6
                                                June 26, 2019
                                            
                                                
                                                    Nathalie_Quebec
                                                
                                                Level 6
                                                June 26, 2019                                            
                                        "Have a seat, 18yr old me. We need to talk"
"Here?"
"Yes, there is fine."
"Bitchin'."
"Now...18yr old me, you're going to make about a dozen good decisions in your life. All the rest will be shit. Don't be so stupid."
"I'm not stupid!"
"Yes, you are and you're also going to be bald by the time you reach 40 so be ready for that."
"No way, dude! Not gonna happen. Hey, will I get laid a lot?"
"You'll have sex with your girlfriends, a few one-nighters and eventually your wife."
"Awesoooome!"
"But you'll fuck that up too. She's gonna divorce you"
"Pffft! Her loss."
"Yours too. It's gonna hurt like hell."
"I'll get another one. Me likey the ladies, dude!"
"You'll be in your 50s. It's a lot harder than it'll be in your prime."
"Old dude, you don't know me. I got it all covered. Your problems are YOUR problems. Don't make em' mine. Now, I gotta go. There's this new thing starting called MTV and I wanna check it out. Later, oldtimer!."
,,,annnnd SCENE!
I told you he was stupid.
 Sgt_Spanky
                                                
                                                Level 8
                                                Nov 14, 2018
                                            
                                                
                                                    Sgt_Spanky
                                                
                                                Level 8
                                                Nov 14, 2018                                            
                                        That is the funniest - and most accurate (therefore also the scariest) scenario I've ever read.    You absolutely nailed it.....     
@Lavergne Why thank you. I'll be turning this into a one-man play and taking it on the road next Spring. Bring your friends.
 mattersauce
                                                
                                                Level 7
                                                Oct 30, 2018
                                            
                                                
                                                    mattersauce
                                                
                                                Level 7
                                                Oct 30, 2018                                            
                                        Don't wait a couple more years, leave your family now and escape and grow up. You will be more suited for college later.
 Beowulfsfriend
                                                
                                                Level 9
                                                Oct 30, 2018
                                            
                                                
                                                    Beowulfsfriend
                                                
                                                Level 9
                                                Oct 30, 2018                                            
                                        Skip the Cisco courses and don't marry the blonde you met in illinois.
 BDGriffith
                                                
                                                Level 5
                                                Aug 6, 2019
                                            
                                                
                                                    BDGriffith
                                                
                                                Level 5
                                                Aug 6, 2019                                            
                                        Don't marry Tim.
 LiterateHiker
                                                
                                                Level 9
                                                Apr 12, 2019
                                            
                                                
                                                    LiterateHiker
                                                
                                                Level 9
                                                Apr 12, 2019                                            
                                        I have felt the same way at times but realized if I had not married (Margaret) I would not have my daughter and I would have missed an extremely valuable lesson. Marrying her was both the worst thing and the best thing that happened.
I'd tell her to maximize opportunities and stop slamming doors in her own face. I'd tell her that life is short and love is precious. I'd say to have more sex with more people. I'd say you're stronger than you know and you're going to need it all, but it will be worth it in the end.
 ladyprof70
                                                
                                                Level 7
                                                Mar 17, 2019
                                            
                                                
                                                    ladyprof70
                                                
                                                Level 7
                                                Mar 17, 2019                                            
                                        Do not get married. Dump Robert. Stop feeling guilty over having sex and start enjoying it. Live your dreams and don't let anyone take them away from you.
 UpsideDownAgain
                                                
                                                Level 7
                                                Oct 30, 2018
                                            
                                                
                                                    UpsideDownAgain
                                                
                                                Level 7
                                                Oct 30, 2018                                            
                                        Unfortunately, my 18 year old self would think I was evil and refuse to talk to me anymore out of fear that I would corrupt her. Sigh.