Advice for my Teenage Self

I fell in love with the concept of this topic when I saw the lovely Fleur de Vlog upload a YouTube video on the subject!

So, what was I like as a teenager? 

(There are much worse than this but fortunately I cannot find them!)

In my opinion I was ambitious and motivated. I knew what I wanted and I knew what I needed to do to get there. I had a great love for my family (still do!) and my friends. I was bubbly yet reserved, funny then shy. I was a little deviant too HOWEVER very clever with how I covered it up. 

Looking back, this is the advice I would have given myself:

Fashion & Make-up

1. Stay away from the flare pants!
Lots of people thought these combat style trousers were cool. They weren't. The material tassles hanging off them should be enough indication! I think I had 3 different colours as well. Just bin them, in fact don't even buy them. Big mistake.

2. Wear less eyeshadow and more foundation
In high school, when everybody else was beginning to wear make-up nobody really gave me the heads up and said, "Amy, you should start wearing it" so I didn't. When I did it was just way too much pink eyeshadow and maybe a little bit of mascara?! I have a very strange complexion and my cheeks get very red. I should have worn foundation to get rid of this for definite!

3. Don't dye your hair
I had blonde, fair hair. My roots were coming through a dark brown colour. Therefore I let my Mum dye it bleach blonde? Not a good call. I was so young and it looked so unnatural. Consequently, we dyed it brown - only for it to go green. Wait until you know what you really want before you commit!

4. Invest in a pair of GHD's
No explanation needed really.

5. Wear simple clothes
I was so unconfident, so hard on myself that I let my Mum dress me as a girl with no personality who was bigger than she should have been. Let your inner self shine through what clothes you wear. Make a statement but for yourself. If it doesn't feel right then do not wear it. 

Boys

1. Boys can be your friends too!

I was so, so scared of being friends with boys. I just didn't think I could be myself around them. I didn't know how to act or talk around them. It took me a while until I realised that by being yourself did the trick!

2. If you like them, tell them

You know when you start to have feelings for someone, let them know. Life is too short to be in denial or worry about being humiliated. At a young age it can be scary but totally worth it.

3. Will be boys. 

Leave them to it. Sometimes it helps to laugh at their jokes - laugh harder if you are the punch line.

Girls

1. Are gossips

Every girl does it, even you. It may be hard to admit but we do. It can be very bitchy at school but the people that are bitches usually end up paying for it when you leave. 

2. Compliment each other!

Don't be afraid to tell your best friend she looks beautiful, or that her new dress is gorgeous. Try not to compete with anyone else because it isn't worth it and you will not win! Girls should stand up for each other and be able to put a smile on each others face.

Spirit & Mind

1. Be yourself
You will still be finding out who you are, I don't think we ever stop but embrace it and challenge yourself. At least then, if all else fails, you know you have been true to yourself.

2. Don't worry
People will gossip, laugh, question, ridicule and judge. THAT IS LIFE. You have to hold your head high and ignore it. When you walk into a room don't worry about who is looking at you, it is probably due to your astounding smile.

3. Have fun
You are only here once! Bad things will happen but you can't let them define you or how you live your life. Use the bad experiences with the good to make you stronger and live a little. Do crazy things, make mistakes and panic later. In 5 years you will look back and laugh.

-x-

If only, all those years ago, my current elder self, had sent me a blog post or a link to a YouTube video to allow myself to maintain a substantial amount more sanity I probably would have been grateful. But then again, where is the fun in that? You live and learn! Please leave any comments you feel fit below!

Keep Smiling.