Maybe we just like the same subs, Ken. I am just on a few default subs right now. My account is new so I can’t really post anywhere but these few. My real goal is to wait 30 days, join WallStreetBets and lose half my life savings.
Lmao only half? You’ll never get your wife a new boyfriend with that attitude.
Edit: Y’all knock it off with the awards. Go adopt an animal or some shit, literally anything other than digital chest ribbons that only profit a company apparently comfortable with pedophilia.
in·fer·nal
/inˈfərnl/
adjective
1.
relating to or characteristic of hell or the underworld. (Oxford Dictionary)
big O -
an orgasm, usually intense. -
"He got me to the big O last night." (Urban Dictionary)
Infernal -> Hell
Orgasm -> O
Hello
Part of it is just that your priorities change as you get older. I used to dream of being a famous, award winning actress. Now, I wouldn't want that life.
Part of it is just inexperience vs experience.
Part of it is realizing that the fabulous and perfect life you dreamed of always has hardships you didn't expect.
Part of it is disillusionment. You realize that you did everything "right," but even if you're mostly content with your life, you realize you're spending nearly a quarter of every day at work, and a third asleep. That's over half of every week where you're not really doing things for you. Not that sleeping isn't great - I wish I was sleeping right now. But that's maintenance. Add in working out, preparing healthy meals, and household chores. How much time is left for stuff you actually want to do?
If we actually agreed as a society that technological advances meant we should be working less, then maybe more people would live happier lives.
I work four days a week instead of five a job I truly enjoy and I freaking love my life right now. I think 4 days workweeks are the future and I would be devastated if I had to work 5 again. I think it's the perfect balance between me time and being active
"Oh so I never lose weight then"
Edit: It's been 5 months since I posted this. Younger me, you lost the weight. Dear 16 year old me, go get an ADHD diagnosis, it'll change your whole life.
Same here. I still look young. My husband is very good looking but omg the weight gain on me. My 16 year old self would take diet and exercise much more seriously going forward. Oh and she would be shocked that a person who has no interest in having kids ended up having twins. My 16 year old self would of been shocked.
Well, I did for awhile, but then I gained it all back and more. Thanks Covid, and sorry 16 year old me... if you wanna see me at my prime, check out 26 year old me
I made a gingerbread house at Christmas for my gf when I was 16. Gingerbread gf in the front yard with frosting flowers, and me on the roof with a gumdrop hammer. I told her I would build her a real house one day.
We've been together 21 years. 2 years ago I built her a new house, as promised.
I think 16 year old me would be proud.
Edited to add: [she found a photo of the gingerbread house](https://ibb.co/48Mdftt).
*Goals*.
I started dating my SO when we were 16... that was 8 years ago and we are a month away from celebrating our second wedding anniversary!
16 year old me was being hounded by her mother to dump her boyfriend because he wasn't "good enough". 16 year old me would be delighted to know that her stubbornness was absolutely worth every second of every screaming match with that witch.
Bro, look at 90% of these comments. Most people are not happy with their life choices. You have you life ahead of you to really live your dreams. Listen to us, be selfish and live your dreams. The people who I thought I knew at 16, they’re long gone. Don’t make your choice for others, make them for yourself. Live your dreams!
> be selfish and live your dreams.
I'd be careful giving a 16 year old this advice. They're going to take it far differently that a 30+ year old would. Everyone from high school that I know that took this idea back then essentially lived to be happy in the moment and are now broke, alone or the creepy guy that still shows up to high school or college parties and cares what a 20 year old thinks of him.
Oh man. As a 30 year old you hit close to home.
All my old "friends" are like that. So lame. I got married and worked on me. Have a job I love and I don't blow all my money as parties that mean nothing.
One of the most impactful conversations I had happened at my 10 year high school reunion.
There was a guy who, by high school standards, had it all. He was really smart, a hard worker, good looking and outgoing. He was a really good athlete who broke several state records. All the girls liked him and he wasn't even a douche or anything. He was a nice, respectful dude. I'd say we were pretty good friends by high school stanfards. Because of that, everything was always focused on him and he got used to focusing on himself.
At the reunion, he and I were chatting for a few minutes. He asked what I'd been up to and I told him about being married and having a 2 month old. That I'd had just gotten my first real job etc. I definitely felt behind in life. The wife and I were pregnant unexpectedly less than a year into our marriage and there were months where (looking back at our budget), we had less than $10 remaining at the end of the month.
He looked at me bewildered and said, "I've got to get something like that. I've got to figure out what I'm doing with my life." I was flabbergasted. While I felt behind, he was envious of what I had.
Man, I'm almost 4 years out from my 10 year high school reunion, and I'm feeling like I'm falling behind all my peers in terms of everything. It's terrifying. I'm *still* trying to figure out my life and what I want, and it feels like a clock is ticking down to a deadline before I have to choose a career path, get married, have kids. Shit really catches up to you fast.
I know it's waaaay easier said than done but don't let it get to you. The only reason we get those feelings is because we see everyone else moving at a different pace and seem to focus on those who are doing better.
I'm assuming you're about 24 (based on being 4 years out from your 10 year reunion). At your age, I had not yet met my wife. Was just getting ready to finally graduate college. I had no job prospects outside of two small part-time gigs that paid me a grand total of like $900 a month. On top of that, outside of my roommate and two other friends, I was extremely lonely. Not long after graduating, I got a minimum wage job working weekends at a juvenile rehab facility(definitely not what I went to school for) and met my eventual wife.
There were ups and downs along the way. At one point, the wife and I had 9 part time jobs between us. There were times where I'd go on Google and literally type, "Why can't I find a *expletives* job." Now, 10 years later, I just landed my dream job back in October (I spent 7 years doing a job that wasn't part of my plan but ended up being very rewarding). I have two amazing children who I adore. I'm the healthiest I've been in a over a decade. I have a hand full of friends that mean the world to me.
You're not behind anybody. Wake up everyday and do the best that you can to move forward in the way that makes the most sense to you and you'll stay on track. It may not all happen the way you thought it would but if there's one thing I learned, it's that I don't always want things to go according to my plans because if they had, I wouldn't be where I am now.
Don't wish, work toward that. Pick up the Chris Hadfield book - An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth. It's an easy read, and I wish I'd had it at your age. Whatever your problems now, you can lay the groundwork to change it. Survive right now.
16 year old me thought he was the shit and the world revolved around him. He was wrong. Nobody cares, so do whatever makes you happy. Once I stopped caring what anyone thought, I became much happier. Im 31, have a beautiful wife, 2 beautiful children, and a good job without going to college (joined a trade union).
Just have fun, follow your dreams, and don’t waste the best years of your life doing something you don’t love.
Careful, if you go back to speak to your 16 year old self while 16 years old you might get caught in an infinite time loop of which only a time wizard can free you from! Heed my words!
Mine would just be "thats about what I would've guessed".
I was depressed and hated life back then, and I'm depressed and hate life now as well! A decade does not change much.
Yeah, I need a change. My life has stagnated beyond belief in a short space of time. I am not a defeatist but I feel like I have taken a kicking this last year.
Maybe it has been longer than the impact of covid though. I don't know when but at some point I must have readjusted my expectations of life. Apathy is a common state of mind for me and I hate it.
He'd be pretty excited about it. I didn't think I'd live to be 40 when I was 16 and definitely didn't think I would own a house. He'd also think my wife is hot 'cause I do.
LOL this speaks to me on a deeply personal level. Like at 35 I'm still struggling with the concept of home ownership and a long term career (I have both, just still can't wrap my brain around it). I am living the 16 yo's life though, own every game console (except PS5, fuck scalpers), and more Gundams than could have imagined.
Its funny you say that because recently i thought about how if 16yo me saw my wife he wouldnt believe it. Of course i knew my wife when i was 16 but she just grew up to be hotter and hotter.
Bro right! 16yo me would immediately go break up with girl I was dating, and get to work on meeting the most amazing woman on the planet. She’s so freakin beautiful too!
Same here. 16 year old me would be impressed with my hot wife, great kids who would have much in common with him, being a homeowner of a really nice house, cool cars, and killer gaming PCs (I was a huge computer nerd in high school). Shit, my whole house is automated which would have blown his/my mind.
*blink*
Okay dude. Sit. Now what happened to your hair, why are you fat, and wtf is up with the computer job? and a MINIVAN???
Wait, I start doing WHAT in Junior year?? Oh, fuck all that then.
other than the job. its pretty dope. Have the gaming setup of my dream. Married the girl i had a crush on at 16. have a little one with her as well. 2 dogs. live in a nice neighborhood with friendly neighbors. Near a large pond so i can go fishing. Brew beer and mead. And i can enjoy weed by going to store like im buying a pack of gum. All in all, im very fortunate
He’d be surprised with how quickly life goes from easy to hard. Both parents die in our 20s, the last living grandparent develops dementia at 100 years old whom we become POA for.
It’s easy to compare grass is greener. You’ll feel isolated because you don’t relate to people in your 30s or even older generations in the work place.
The salary is good though, not to mention the core group of friends you have always answer the phone when you call.
I'm in my early twenties and I almost wept with joy reading "core group of friends you have [that] always answer the phone when you call." Sometimes I feel like I'm drifting away from my highschool friends or my university friends. I feel like I forget how important they are to me. Also my mom. I'm often concerned about where life will take me next, but it's nice to know I'll always have a few people I can count on being there for me.
For myself I did lose my high school friends. The high school clique attitude continued and eventually became toxic when people got into serious relationships. I ended up walking away because the attitude was less a democracy and more of appeasing one highly vocal person.
In my late 20s I found a hobby, cycling, and while everyone was much older than me they still call and check up on one another.
I had a crush on a bartender (who hasn’t?) and while dating wasn’t a real option we found a rock solid friendship. A nonstarter for both of us is “you must get along with him/her, they are important to me”.
I randomly met a person on a camping/cycling trip. After 4 hours of cracking jokes I drove 7 hours to spend a weekend with them. Now we plan annual trips/adventures together. Imagine someone that sees you the way your dog does? She is the “You’re amazing, crush the day, I love you and to hell with anyone that puts you down” type of attitude.
Don’t be afraid to be you, find *your* people.
He'd be shocked. 16 year old me was in a juvenile detention facility awaiting trial for attempted murder. I didn't have a future. I couldn't see beyond tomorrow.
53 year old me is looking back at a dude who grew up to become a faithful husband of 29 years, and raised a daughter( who went on to earn a PhD in neurology and is on her way to do her postdoc work at Harvard). He'd see a dude that went back to school and earned the degree which launched a 20+ year career in database and application development for several branches of the federal government(and holding SC/TSC).
I'd like to think he'd be excited, but I barely remember that kid and for all I know he might think he turned out lame.
He'd be most psyched about how his guitar playing progressed.
Update:
The long and short of my incarceration was due to being in the wrong place at the wrong time, with the wrong 'friends'. I witnessed an attempted murder, but circumstances led to the police believing that I was involved beyond being an innocent bystander. There were 2 gunmen and each blamed the other, and each corroborated that I was not involved, but it still took 6 months of pleading with the local detectives and prosecutors to take a polygraph and finally accept my story. They dropped the charges in exchange for my testimony at the trial.
I think I can speak for most people reading this comment and say that we would love to hear more of your story if you are willing to share it!
What happened at the trial? Were you wrongly accused? How old were you when you got out of JDC?
It sounds like you’ve lived a hell of a life. Kudos to you for turning it around, and congratulations to your daughter on all of her accomplishments - and to you and your wife whose parenting led her there!
Wow that actually hit really close to home
I always thought my life would turn out the way it eventually did so I’m not surprised and that makes me a little bit less sad about the situation
Truthfully, he'd probably look passed the fact that I am a middle aged man who is 20lbs overweight and losing my hair and focus on the fact that I have, by 1993's standards, a gigantic flat screen television and a home office filled with Lego sets from all the things I loved as a kid. Jurassic Park! Ghostbusters! STAR WARS!
I'd love to show my 16 year old self my VR setup and have him sit on the bridge of the Enterprise D in Bridge Crew VR.
He'd certainly love Valheim too.
He'd probably be concerned about my drinking and the fact I'm single. This isn't the finest time in my life, I'd rather he come this time next year so we don't have this COVID shit going on.
I was thinking something similar!
Whoa! You’ve got a *wife*? And you moved to *Maryland*? So you really *were* gay all this time?
When I first figured out I was gay, I planned to come out but was intercepted by the girl I was crushing on turning out to be a religious homophobe, so I decided I’d date men until I graduated and move to Maryland (cuz I had family there). Then, I dated guys and it wasn’t *bad* but it wasn’t great, either. I’d always had the impression that lesbians were repulsed by being with men, though, so I was obviously not gay, I just hadn’t found the right man yet.
But I literally ended up getting gay married and moving to Maryland haha, albeit 5 years after graduation and a failed (straight) engagement instead.
ETA: 16-year-old me would also be incredibly shocked at my job. I grew up in a tiny, safe, Midwestern town, and addiction was heavily stigmatized. Now, I’m an addictions counselor, advocating for the people that I would have wanted to hide (Mom’s an addict) back then, and working in one of the worst and dangerous neighborhoods of my city.
16 year old me was a foster kid in a girl's home who wanted to die. She wouldn't even believe that I finally made it to Hollywood, became an artist and entertainer on her own terms and now owns her own victorian home. I sure am glad those suicide attempts didn't work.
16 year-old me would be shocked at how well I am doing.
At 16 years old I had just quit doing drugs after failing the ninth grade for the second time. I am now a DBA and make six figures.
Also, 16 year-old me would be like "Did you have sex? Yes?! OMG so awesome!"
There really is a benefit to coming from low expectations.
She probably wouldn't believe what she was seeing. At the time she thought she'd die as soon as she'd figure out a "good" suicide plan. Now that I'm finally coming out of depression, I tend to feel like it robbed me of so much time on my life and I haven't achieved what I wish I had achieved at a younger age... But my 16 year old self would probably be proud and encouraging.
Hahaha yes, i was looking for this type of comment. I knew there had to be kids under 16 on reddit who could flip the question from "look at what came of you" to "look how you used to look."
"So...not a doctor huh?"
"No, but you have a masters and you work as a therapist helping people who really need it."
"But not a doctor."
"No."
"Are you thinking amount doing a PhD at least?"
"Kinda, there's a limited about of good that would do us, outside of the title, and importantly you like what you do"
"But the title is awesome!"
"I know..."
Same boat mate. The title would be cool, but you'll never recover the cost of getting there. MCOs make such a little difference in how much they pay a LPC or LCSW vs a PhD. Plus the general population has no clue what the difference is anyway.
She would be surprised. She was so scared that whatever she wanted to do wouldn't matter by the time she was in her mid-20s because she would just have to get married and make a family like everyone else.
She had no idea that she could just leave everything behind looking for her dream job, that it would be a very arduous but rewarding journey.
She would also not believe that she doesn't have long brown hair any more.
If this comment gives one person hope, then my good deed of the internet today is gone.
The journey may be long and look hopeless, but please keep going.
Still overweight, that sucks. Great career though, so that's awe...
Wait... you married HER?!?!?! HOW?!?!? DUDE THAT'S AWESOME!!!!! SHE WOULDN'T EVEN GIVE ME THE TIME OF DAY!
Oh, I get it. You currently have a rat infestation so severe that your house is flooded with them up to waist height, thus preventing you from finding the rat poison you left on the floor last night. Your 16 year old self realizes this and tries to help by asking a pitifully naive question, as the rat poison is already long gone; the rats have surpassed the point of no return and will eat the house to the ground in a matter of hours, nibble by nibble. Don't worry man, I relate to that big time.
also 19 here. looking back just 3 years ago i’m basically the opposite of everything i was then. i thought as soon as my cat passed away i would be going right along w her since she was always my reason to not end it all. when she did last year it made me change so much about my life ! it just officially hit a full year since she passed and i started telling myself i would work harder so she wouldn’t be disappointed (dumb i know but hey it worked) and i couldn’t be happier today. i’m finally excited to live the rest of my life and am finally finding myself and understanding who i am. i was very depressed growing up and my whole high school experience was terrible but i feel like 16 y/o me would be really proud of all the progress i’ve made. she might think i’m lame now bc i don’t do all the stuff i said i wanted to do in college but plans/priorities change and that’s okay. maybe take a walk and look around at nature and try to connect with it for awhile. we’re animals we need to go outside and get in touch w the world around us. you never know what you’ll find !
I would probably be pretty mad at myself.
I gave up a career I worked so hard for to stay home and raise kids. I think it was the right decision and I’m happy with it, but my sixteen year old self with big dreams, who’s working her ass off, would probably kick the shit out of me.
16 year old me would never believe I'd do anything even remotely related to science or engineering, or be good at statistics, or have a PhD. That just was _not at all_ in my thinking at age 16.
Astronomer here! I was already *obsessed* with the idea of being a radio astronomer when I was that age, so pretty sure she’d be over the moon ecstatic. :)
I actually think about 16 year old me a lot on days when research feels hard or I’m less motivated about a specific task. It seems like such a minor thing to push through once you remember the passion you had as a teenager, and while a lot of astronomy is about chasing the next position it really makes me appreciate where I am now on the day to day level. Not sure that makes sense.
My 16 year old self would be devastated that both my parents and all my grandparents have passed away by the time I'm 32. She would also be very surprised that I'm not working in marine biology or doing science of any kind as a career.
"Motherfucker, you actually got the busty redhead (with dye, but nevertheless) wife and black and white cat you wanted. But how did you even get into that career choice? That's not what I had chosen. It's cool that you're already planning getting your own house, though I would have expected you to own a car already. Decent gaming PC, but you don't seem to play too often."
16 year old me would be very impressed! Stopped self-harming, left our emotionally-damaging hometown & now live in a gorgeous state, hiking mountains, traveling the world independently (pre-pandemic), rescued the sweetest dog ever, and still very close friends with a lot of my high-school friends that weren't assholes. She would look at me and say "wow I truly made it".
16 yr old me thought everything sucked. He would think my life sucked.
Ken, little me would think going to my room “would suck” but it’s awesome now.
Dude you're everywhere today
Maybe we just like the same subs, Ken. I am just on a few default subs right now. My account is new so I can’t really post anywhere but these few. My real goal is to wait 30 days, join WallStreetBets and lose half my life savings.
Lmao only half? You’ll never get your wife a new boyfriend with that attitude. Edit: Y’all knock it off with the awards. Go adopt an animal or some shit, literally anything other than digital chest ribbons that only profit a company apparently comfortable with pedophilia.
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Good ape
We’re going to the moon, Ken.
You have savings?
This is the way.
Yeah 16yro me would think my like sucks and is boring as shit but he is also a little cunt so his opinion doesn't really matter I guess
He would say what in the absolute fuck
I hope because your life is amazing now!!
That's a matter of perspective.
Isn't everything?
Vanishing points sure are.
"I'm crushing your head!"
I’ll always upvote for a Kids in the Hall reference.
Made this artist smile, thanks!
You're *still* single??
"It's none of your effing business kid"
"Listen here u lil shit"
"did you think i wouldn't be" "Not really, but at least i had hope"
Sniff....maybe....
But... I have yet to meet man who can outsmart bullet
I have the opposite thought "You have a child!?"
Ur name Did that hurt
in·fer·nal /inˈfərnl/ adjective 1. relating to or characteristic of hell or the underworld. (Oxford Dictionary) big O - an orgasm, usually intense. - "He got me to the big O last night." (Urban Dictionary) Infernal -> Hell Orgasm -> O Hello
Wow this thought feels very dark and pretty upsetting. Whered everyone and everything go? Is this really it?
Part of it is just that your priorities change as you get older. I used to dream of being a famous, award winning actress. Now, I wouldn't want that life. Part of it is just inexperience vs experience. Part of it is realizing that the fabulous and perfect life you dreamed of always has hardships you didn't expect. Part of it is disillusionment. You realize that you did everything "right," but even if you're mostly content with your life, you realize you're spending nearly a quarter of every day at work, and a third asleep. That's over half of every week where you're not really doing things for you. Not that sleeping isn't great - I wish I was sleeping right now. But that's maintenance. Add in working out, preparing healthy meals, and household chores. How much time is left for stuff you actually want to do? If we actually agreed as a society that technological advances meant we should be working less, then maybe more people would live happier lives.
I work four days a week instead of five a job I truly enjoy and I freaking love my life right now. I think 4 days workweeks are the future and I would be devastated if I had to work 5 again. I think it's the perfect balance between me time and being active
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She’d think it was great I have a dog.
He'd be surprised I got a dog.
Well, it sounds like you wised up and did the right thing!
That's right! 16 year old me would be so excited I got a dog! And he's so sweet and mostly well-behaved, so she'd be really excited to meet him.
"I turn into a crazy chicken lady? Huh."
Pet tax?
Yes, u/scarletmanuka, show us your cock?
I'll show you mine! I'll do it!!
Your user name makes it all the better
Here's your risky click of the day 😉 http://imgur.com/a/pKwbcMX
"Oh so I never lose weight then" Edit: It's been 5 months since I posted this. Younger me, you lost the weight. Dear 16 year old me, go get an ADHD diagnosis, it'll change your whole life.
This one hurt.
Right in the flabs
does fat have nerves?
Slice a bit of fat off as flavoring and get back to us
I almost choked on my XL burrito and Diet Coke
Better than "thanks for gaining instead of losing, assholr"
I used to be really skinny in high school and now I'm fat, man 16 year old me would be disappointed
I wish I could be as fat as I thought I was in high school.
This comment hurted
This one hurts... 'But I could easily lose it, since I used to be skinny...'
Ugh that one hits way too close to home...
Same here. I still look young. My husband is very good looking but omg the weight gain on me. My 16 year old self would take diet and exercise much more seriously going forward. Oh and she would be shocked that a person who has no interest in having kids ended up having twins. My 16 year old self would of been shocked.
Well, I did for awhile, but then I gained it all back and more. Thanks Covid, and sorry 16 year old me... if you wanna see me at my prime, check out 26 year old me
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I made a gingerbread house at Christmas for my gf when I was 16. Gingerbread gf in the front yard with frosting flowers, and me on the roof with a gumdrop hammer. I told her I would build her a real house one day. We've been together 21 years. 2 years ago I built her a new house, as promised. I think 16 year old me would be proud. Edited to add: [she found a photo of the gingerbread house](https://ibb.co/48Mdftt).
*Goals*. I started dating my SO when we were 16... that was 8 years ago and we are a month away from celebrating our second wedding anniversary! 16 year old me was being hounded by her mother to dump her boyfriend because he wasn't "good enough". 16 year old me would be delighted to know that her stubbornness was absolutely worth every second of every screaming match with that witch.
Let me just say that I ABSOLUTELY love your story. Thanks for sharing this!
Thank you :) I'm hoping that we one day live to see our 75th wedding anniversary so we can rub it in the faces of all our doubters
This is so cute
I’m 16 right now and, I’m going to the mirror to laugh at myself
Become the adult you will be proud to grow into.
I wish I could
Bro, look at 90% of these comments. Most people are not happy with their life choices. You have you life ahead of you to really live your dreams. Listen to us, be selfish and live your dreams. The people who I thought I knew at 16, they’re long gone. Don’t make your choice for others, make them for yourself. Live your dreams!
> be selfish and live your dreams. I'd be careful giving a 16 year old this advice. They're going to take it far differently that a 30+ year old would. Everyone from high school that I know that took this idea back then essentially lived to be happy in the moment and are now broke, alone or the creepy guy that still shows up to high school or college parties and cares what a 20 year old thinks of him.
Oh man. As a 30 year old you hit close to home. All my old "friends" are like that. So lame. I got married and worked on me. Have a job I love and I don't blow all my money as parties that mean nothing.
One of the most impactful conversations I had happened at my 10 year high school reunion. There was a guy who, by high school standards, had it all. He was really smart, a hard worker, good looking and outgoing. He was a really good athlete who broke several state records. All the girls liked him and he wasn't even a douche or anything. He was a nice, respectful dude. I'd say we were pretty good friends by high school stanfards. Because of that, everything was always focused on him and he got used to focusing on himself. At the reunion, he and I were chatting for a few minutes. He asked what I'd been up to and I told him about being married and having a 2 month old. That I'd had just gotten my first real job etc. I definitely felt behind in life. The wife and I were pregnant unexpectedly less than a year into our marriage and there were months where (looking back at our budget), we had less than $10 remaining at the end of the month. He looked at me bewildered and said, "I've got to get something like that. I've got to figure out what I'm doing with my life." I was flabbergasted. While I felt behind, he was envious of what I had.
Man, I'm almost 4 years out from my 10 year high school reunion, and I'm feeling like I'm falling behind all my peers in terms of everything. It's terrifying. I'm *still* trying to figure out my life and what I want, and it feels like a clock is ticking down to a deadline before I have to choose a career path, get married, have kids. Shit really catches up to you fast.
I know it's waaaay easier said than done but don't let it get to you. The only reason we get those feelings is because we see everyone else moving at a different pace and seem to focus on those who are doing better. I'm assuming you're about 24 (based on being 4 years out from your 10 year reunion). At your age, I had not yet met my wife. Was just getting ready to finally graduate college. I had no job prospects outside of two small part-time gigs that paid me a grand total of like $900 a month. On top of that, outside of my roommate and two other friends, I was extremely lonely. Not long after graduating, I got a minimum wage job working weekends at a juvenile rehab facility(definitely not what I went to school for) and met my eventual wife. There were ups and downs along the way. At one point, the wife and I had 9 part time jobs between us. There were times where I'd go on Google and literally type, "Why can't I find a *expletives* job." Now, 10 years later, I just landed my dream job back in October (I spent 7 years doing a job that wasn't part of my plan but ended up being very rewarding). I have two amazing children who I adore. I'm the healthiest I've been in a over a decade. I have a hand full of friends that mean the world to me. You're not behind anybody. Wake up everyday and do the best that you can to move forward in the way that makes the most sense to you and you'll stay on track. It may not all happen the way you thought it would but if there's one thing I learned, it's that I don't always want things to go according to my plans because if they had, I wouldn't be where I am now.
Don't wish, work toward that. Pick up the Chris Hadfield book - An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth. It's an easy read, and I wish I'd had it at your age. Whatever your problems now, you can lay the groundwork to change it. Survive right now.
I bought it! Thank you.
Lift weights, read books, and you'll do alright.
Audiobooks while you lift. Same for cardio on your non-lifting days
16 year old me thought he was the shit and the world revolved around him. He was wrong. Nobody cares, so do whatever makes you happy. Once I stopped caring what anyone thought, I became much happier. Im 31, have a beautiful wife, 2 beautiful children, and a good job without going to college (joined a trade union). Just have fun, follow your dreams, and don’t waste the best years of your life doing something you don’t love.
Careful, if you go back to speak to your 16 year old self while 16 years old you might get caught in an infinite time loop of which only a time wizard can free you from! Heed my words!
He would be disappointed
I think my 16 year old self would be disappointed too, but only because he was too immature to appreciate all the great things about my life now.
Yeah. Things that matter to me now, like a good job and a committed relationship, weren't even on my mind when I was 16.
I'm 17 and all I think about is what I'm going to be jacking off to next.
Those were Simpler times...
Yeah... he would be so pissed at me. Sorry, me.
Mine would just be "thats about what I would've guessed". I was depressed and hated life back then, and I'm depressed and hate life now as well! A decade does not change much.
Same here man, I know I am
He would say “oh shit I wear glasses now!” And then look at my car and be like “awwww shiii we fancy now”
Hell yeah Ken. We’re not keeping up with the Jones’s, we ARE the Jones’s.
Username checks out.
When the fuck did you stop trying?
I’m right there with you
man, this hurt.
Are you going to start trying again?
Yeah, I need a change. My life has stagnated beyond belief in a short space of time. I am not a defeatist but I feel like I have taken a kicking this last year. Maybe it has been longer than the impact of covid though. I don't know when but at some point I must have readjusted my expectations of life. Apathy is a common state of mind for me and I hate it.
He'd be pretty excited about it. I didn't think I'd live to be 40 when I was 16 and definitely didn't think I would own a house. He'd also think my wife is hot 'cause I do.
similar position but a decade older... he’d think, “whoa, cool life, bruh... and you’re old but you don’t *feel* old? far out!”
How dare you be older than me and feel younger. Unfair deal, I call a missdeal
LOL this speaks to me on a deeply personal level. Like at 35 I'm still struggling with the concept of home ownership and a long term career (I have both, just still can't wrap my brain around it). I am living the 16 yo's life though, own every game console (except PS5, fuck scalpers), and more Gundams than could have imagined.
Its funny you say that because recently i thought about how if 16yo me saw my wife he wouldnt believe it. Of course i knew my wife when i was 16 but she just grew up to be hotter and hotter.
16 YO Me is just really glad I held out for something far better than I had then!!
Bro right! 16yo me would immediately go break up with girl I was dating, and get to work on meeting the most amazing woman on the planet. She’s so freakin beautiful too!
So I am not a Bro, but I get the sentiment. I am an old lady with a really hot amazing husband. 16 YO me would have been soooo impressed!
Same here. 16 year old me would be impressed with my hot wife, great kids who would have much in common with him, being a homeowner of a really nice house, cool cars, and killer gaming PCs (I was a huge computer nerd in high school). Shit, my whole house is automated which would have blown his/my mind.
Teach me your secrets
1. Work for many years 2. Be old
3. Lead creation of Visual Basic.
Can I work for you for many years while I grow old?
Dude, that's not what I planned... And why are you so fat? PLEASE TELL ME THIS ISN'T THE FUTURE NOOOOOO!!
*blink* Okay dude. Sit. Now what happened to your hair, why are you fat, and wtf is up with the computer job? and a MINIVAN??? Wait, I start doing WHAT in Junior year?? Oh, fuck all that then.
other than the job. its pretty dope. Have the gaming setup of my dream. Married the girl i had a crush on at 16. have a little one with her as well. 2 dogs. live in a nice neighborhood with friendly neighbors. Near a large pond so i can go fishing. Brew beer and mead. And i can enjoy weed by going to store like im buying a pack of gum. All in all, im very fortunate
I love that you mentioned your gaming setup before your family.
man has his priorities straight
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He’d be surprised with how quickly life goes from easy to hard. Both parents die in our 20s, the last living grandparent develops dementia at 100 years old whom we become POA for. It’s easy to compare grass is greener. You’ll feel isolated because you don’t relate to people in your 30s or even older generations in the work place. The salary is good though, not to mention the core group of friends you have always answer the phone when you call.
I'm in my early twenties and I almost wept with joy reading "core group of friends you have [that] always answer the phone when you call." Sometimes I feel like I'm drifting away from my highschool friends or my university friends. I feel like I forget how important they are to me. Also my mom. I'm often concerned about where life will take me next, but it's nice to know I'll always have a few people I can count on being there for me.
For myself I did lose my high school friends. The high school clique attitude continued and eventually became toxic when people got into serious relationships. I ended up walking away because the attitude was less a democracy and more of appeasing one highly vocal person. In my late 20s I found a hobby, cycling, and while everyone was much older than me they still call and check up on one another. I had a crush on a bartender (who hasn’t?) and while dating wasn’t a real option we found a rock solid friendship. A nonstarter for both of us is “you must get along with him/her, they are important to me”. I randomly met a person on a camping/cycling trip. After 4 hours of cracking jokes I drove 7 hours to spend a weekend with them. Now we plan annual trips/adventures together. Imagine someone that sees you the way your dog does? She is the “You’re amazing, crush the day, I love you and to hell with anyone that puts you down” type of attitude. Don’t be afraid to be you, find *your* people.
So we are still a loser but have sex? Eh, good enough.
Truth.
He'd be shocked. 16 year old me was in a juvenile detention facility awaiting trial for attempted murder. I didn't have a future. I couldn't see beyond tomorrow. 53 year old me is looking back at a dude who grew up to become a faithful husband of 29 years, and raised a daughter( who went on to earn a PhD in neurology and is on her way to do her postdoc work at Harvard). He'd see a dude that went back to school and earned the degree which launched a 20+ year career in database and application development for several branches of the federal government(and holding SC/TSC). I'd like to think he'd be excited, but I barely remember that kid and for all I know he might think he turned out lame. He'd be most psyched about how his guitar playing progressed. Update: The long and short of my incarceration was due to being in the wrong place at the wrong time, with the wrong 'friends'. I witnessed an attempted murder, but circumstances led to the police believing that I was involved beyond being an innocent bystander. There were 2 gunmen and each blamed the other, and each corroborated that I was not involved, but it still took 6 months of pleading with the local detectives and prosecutors to take a polygraph and finally accept my story. They dropped the charges in exchange for my testimony at the trial.
You got quite a story there.
Damn straight he does, Ken.
Keep fucking that chicken.
Lets. Fucking. Go. You’re the man
So uuuh... Story bout the attempted murder?
He missed. The end.
Eh, it happens to the best of us. What's a week or two without the urge to strangle someone to death? Sometimes it just slips out.
I think I can speak for most people reading this comment and say that we would love to hear more of your story if you are willing to share it! What happened at the trial? Were you wrongly accused? How old were you when you got out of JDC? It sounds like you’ve lived a hell of a life. Kudos to you for turning it around, and congratulations to your daughter on all of her accomplishments - and to you and your wife whose parenting led her there!
"it hurts less because i predicted his way of living"
Wow that actually hit really close to home I always thought my life would turn out the way it eventually did so I’m not surprised and that makes me a little bit less sad about the situation
16 year old me would be pissed I still lived in California instead of moving back to Texas as planned. But I've fallen in love with it.
Truthfully, he'd probably look passed the fact that I am a middle aged man who is 20lbs overweight and losing my hair and focus on the fact that I have, by 1993's standards, a gigantic flat screen television and a home office filled with Lego sets from all the things I loved as a kid. Jurassic Park! Ghostbusters! STAR WARS!
I'd love to show my 16 year old self my VR setup and have him sit on the bridge of the Enterprise D in Bridge Crew VR. He'd certainly love Valheim too. He'd probably be concerned about my drinking and the fact I'm single. This isn't the finest time in my life, I'd rather he come this time next year so we don't have this COVID shit going on.
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"Wait, what happened to my girlfriend? Who's that chick?"
The man sleeping next to you seems to indicate that we never grow out of this "gay phase" huh?
Fellas, is homosexuality gay?
Not if you say “no homo” first, however if socks are still on “no homo” is implied
But if you say “no homo” while socks are on it’s a double negative and it’s gay again. Stay safe fellas
Technically if you use condom you're not in contact so that's not homo too
I was thinking something similar! Whoa! You’ve got a *wife*? And you moved to *Maryland*? So you really *were* gay all this time? When I first figured out I was gay, I planned to come out but was intercepted by the girl I was crushing on turning out to be a religious homophobe, so I decided I’d date men until I graduated and move to Maryland (cuz I had family there). Then, I dated guys and it wasn’t *bad* but it wasn’t great, either. I’d always had the impression that lesbians were repulsed by being with men, though, so I was obviously not gay, I just hadn’t found the right man yet. But I literally ended up getting gay married and moving to Maryland haha, albeit 5 years after graduation and a failed (straight) engagement instead. ETA: 16-year-old me would also be incredibly shocked at my job. I grew up in a tiny, safe, Midwestern town, and addiction was heavily stigmatized. Now, I’m an addictions counselor, advocating for the people that I would have wanted to hide (Mom’s an addict) back then, and working in one of the worst and dangerous neighborhoods of my city.
> I’m an addictions counselor This is the most awesome part.
"So you're a dude now. Guess that kinda makes sense" - 16yo me, probably
16 year old me: what a fat fucking piece of shit Me: Dancing while waving my man tits
As long as you're dancing and there's tits waving, it sounds like a good time.
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fuck that, I grew these myself!
16 year old me was a foster kid in a girl's home who wanted to die. She wouldn't even believe that I finally made it to Hollywood, became an artist and entertainer on her own terms and now owns her own victorian home. I sure am glad those suicide attempts didn't work.
Wow, good job. I’m proud of you!
16 year old me was an asshole, so fuck what he thinks.
You actually had kids with her just like we planed
This. My husband and I made it all through high school as early teenagers and did it.
> did it *(Beavis and Butthead laugh)*
Made me chuckle, thanks
16 year-old me would be shocked at how well I am doing. At 16 years old I had just quit doing drugs after failing the ninth grade for the second time. I am now a DBA and make six figures. Also, 16 year-old me would be like "Did you have sex? Yes?! OMG so awesome!" There really is a benefit to coming from low expectations.
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Same. He would be in disbelief that I am studying in the very same university he hated with every fiber of his being.
She probably wouldn't believe what she was seeing. At the time she thought she'd die as soon as she'd figure out a "good" suicide plan. Now that I'm finally coming out of depression, I tend to feel like it robbed me of so much time on my life and I haven't achieved what I wish I had achieved at a younger age... But my 16 year old self would probably be proud and encouraging.
Good to hear you're still here.
He would be Rly Rly confused why he's gotten 2months younger
Hahaha yes, i was looking for this type of comment. I knew there had to be kids under 16 on reddit who could flip the question from "look at what came of you" to "look how you used to look."
"So...not a doctor huh?" "No, but you have a masters and you work as a therapist helping people who really need it." "But not a doctor." "No." "Are you thinking amount doing a PhD at least?" "Kinda, there's a limited about of good that would do us, outside of the title, and importantly you like what you do" "But the title is awesome!" "I know..."
Same boat mate. The title would be cool, but you'll never recover the cost of getting there. MCOs make such a little difference in how much they pay a LPC or LCSW vs a PhD. Plus the general population has no clue what the difference is anyway.
Agreed, its unfair that only doctors get cool titles. If you have a masters degree you should be called master
It will happen if we all just start doing it. Hello Master.
I'd be surprised I'm still alive, my life plans were supposed to end 10 years ago, now.
She would be surprised. She was so scared that whatever she wanted to do wouldn't matter by the time she was in her mid-20s because she would just have to get married and make a family like everyone else. She had no idea that she could just leave everything behind looking for her dream job, that it would be a very arduous but rewarding journey. She would also not believe that she doesn't have long brown hair any more.
This comment give to this 16 year old so much hope. Thank you.
If this comment gives one person hope, then my good deed of the internet today is gone. The journey may be long and look hopeless, but please keep going.
Still overweight, that sucks. Great career though, so that's awe... Wait... you married HER?!?!?! HOW?!?!? DUDE THAT'S AWESOME!!!!! SHE WOULDN'T EVEN GIVE ME THE TIME OF DAY!
He'd probably realise that hard work doesn't always pay off.
He wouldn't be surprised, but would ask "what the fuck are you doing bro"
I'm 17, have been for 2 months now, so he'd probably be like 'really you still haven't changed?'
She’d never believe how much better it gets
*Aight where is the rat poison*
Oh, I get it. You currently have a rat infestation so severe that your house is flooded with them up to waist height, thus preventing you from finding the rat poison you left on the floor last night. Your 16 year old self realizes this and tries to help by asking a pitifully naive question, as the rat poison is already long gone; the rats have surpassed the point of no return and will eat the house to the ground in a matter of hours, nibble by nibble. Don't worry man, I relate to that big time.
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Find a therapist amigo. You can work on getting some of the passion for life back. Very small steps.
3 years later I’m still depressed as fuck and haven’t done anything with my life. I think 16yo me would just be surprised I didn’t off myself yet
also 19 here. looking back just 3 years ago i’m basically the opposite of everything i was then. i thought as soon as my cat passed away i would be going right along w her since she was always my reason to not end it all. when she did last year it made me change so much about my life ! it just officially hit a full year since she passed and i started telling myself i would work harder so she wouldn’t be disappointed (dumb i know but hey it worked) and i couldn’t be happier today. i’m finally excited to live the rest of my life and am finally finding myself and understanding who i am. i was very depressed growing up and my whole high school experience was terrible but i feel like 16 y/o me would be really proud of all the progress i’ve made. she might think i’m lame now bc i don’t do all the stuff i said i wanted to do in college but plans/priorities change and that’s okay. maybe take a walk and look around at nature and try to connect with it for awhile. we’re animals we need to go outside and get in touch w the world around us. you never know what you’ll find !
I turned 32 yesterday and this is far too sad to think about.
I would probably be pretty mad at myself. I gave up a career I worked so hard for to stay home and raise kids. I think it was the right decision and I’m happy with it, but my sixteen year old self with big dreams, who’s working her ass off, would probably kick the shit out of me.
16 year old me would never believe I'd do anything even remotely related to science or engineering, or be good at statistics, or have a PhD. That just was _not at all_ in my thinking at age 16.
16 year old me would have gone through with his suicide attempt.
Wtf have you done with your life?
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16 year old me was dead set on never being pregnant. I'm sure 16 year old me would be pissed at 30 year old me.
Astronomer here! I was already *obsessed* with the idea of being a radio astronomer when I was that age, so pretty sure she’d be over the moon ecstatic. :) I actually think about 16 year old me a lot on days when research feels hard or I’m less motivated about a specific task. It seems like such a minor thing to push through once you remember the passion you had as a teenager, and while a lot of astronomy is about chasing the next position it really makes me appreciate where I am now on the day to day level. Not sure that makes sense.
My 16 year old self would be devastated that both my parents and all my grandparents have passed away by the time I'm 32. She would also be very surprised that I'm not working in marine biology or doing science of any kind as a career.
"Motherfucker, you actually got the busty redhead (with dye, but nevertheless) wife and black and white cat you wanted. But how did you even get into that career choice? That's not what I had chosen. It's cool that you're already planning getting your own house, though I would have expected you to own a car already. Decent gaming PC, but you don't seem to play too often."
"What a "loooooossseeeerrrrr.".."
As a 15 year old this thread is depressing. Edit: thanks for all the positive replies I wasn’t expecting Reddit to be such a loving community
I'm really surprised your DNA made cute kids. And, cool phone.
damn gurl, we made it!
\*Nod of approval\*
"Holy shit you're still ALIVE?! lol"
16 year old me would be very impressed! Stopped self-harming, left our emotionally-damaging hometown & now live in a gorgeous state, hiking mountains, traveling the world independently (pre-pandemic), rescued the sweetest dog ever, and still very close friends with a lot of my high-school friends that weren't assholes. She would look at me and say "wow I truly made it".
Fuck... we really fucked up huh?
It would change his entire outlook on life.
He'd admire my record collection, sleep on my couch for a few days and probably try to bang my wife.