"Dear 18 Year Old Me" | Antonia from Charismatones

Message From The Editor: 2016 is the year that I turn the grand old age of eighteen (I know - young blogger alert). I'm a May baby so I have roughly four months and counting until adulthood begins and to say I feel unprepared is the understatement of the century. It's fair to say that I feel desperately in need of some advice and wisdom from those who have already completed this year of their life, so in my time of need I have turned to the blogging community. For the foreseeable future, every Sunday here on Yours Chloe is going to play host to a different guest blogger who have taken the time to compose a letter to their eighteen-year-old self sharing some of the wisdom they have amassed in their years since turning 18. Some of the letters have taken on themes such as relationships, education, friendships etc. and some of the letters have simply combined said topics and more to create a collection of general pieces of advice. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading each of the posts I've been sent for this series and I really do hope you have a similar experience, regardless of the place in life you currently find yourself at. Yours, Chloe x

I think when you reach a certain age, you tend to look back and think ... Hmmm I wish someone had told me that or I wish I did / didn't do that. That of course comes with the benefit of hindsight, which happens to be a wonderful thing when you come to know it. But hindsight is not something one thinks about when they are 18 and even if someone did tell you their pearls of wisdom, let's face it you probably won't pay attention anyway... I know I didn't 99% of the time.  

So when the lovely Chloe asked if I wanted to collaborate on the "what would you tell your 18 year old self" series, I jumped! There are loads of things I wish I had done, listened to and the like. But finding out these things for yourself is part of growing up and it would be boring if you just followed the advice of others all the time!  So here are the things I would tell me old 18 year old self as a much wider 30 year old!

1) You aren't as mature as you think you are!

At 18 I thought I was amazingly mature, I don't know what I thought happened, midnight struck on my 18th birthday and I suddenly knew everything. Yeah right! I did not know everything, and most importantly it was ok that I didn't know everything.  

2) Don't rush to grow up! 

I would actually say this to my 13 year old self too. You spend your whole teenage life trying to be and act older than you are. Hating it when people supposedly treat you like a child however, as soon as you turn 30, like me, you wish you were 18-21 again. You're world is made when you are asked for ID and you want to cry when presents consist of anti aging cream. Chill out, enjoy your age for what it is, old age and everything that comes with it will be with you sooner than you would like and stay with you for a lot longer than you are young and carefree.  

3) You don't have to go to university! 

I went and I was encouraged to go and I wouldn't change any of my time or experiences there but you don't have to go. You don't grow up at a disadvantage, especially now, there are alternatives... Explore them all!  

4) Don't waste your time trying to be popular! 

I wasted so much time trying to be popular and hang with the popular crowd! Urgh waste of my time and energy! Be yourself and enjoy your own company, people will see your confidence and be drawn to you! 

5) You are not defined by the number of friends you have!  

I guarentee you that you will realise your true friends will be few and far between. These are the people you want in your life. The ones that think of you, the ones you can call at 3 in the morning, the ones that you can be disgusting around and the ones that will be equally horrific with you! These are the friends that will last you for ever!  

6) Don't be fake

It takes for more effort to fain interest in things and people just because you think you have to than just being yourself! You will love yourself for being true to you!  

7) The concept of "finding yourself" is rubbish! 

In short don't expect to find yourself anytime soon, you won't do it at 18 or at university. It just doesn't happen, also what's the rush anyway?  

8) Do something that scares you! 

Make memories and have experiences, this is the time you should try new things, experience something new - you only regret the things you don't do.  

9) Your family are your best friends. 

Appreciate them, visit them and have fun with them. Make memories! They are the people that will always be there for you. Don't forget that! And remember the advice and tips your parents give you... They're more than likely right!!

10) Trust your instincts!  

You will always know when something doesn't feel right. Trust that feeling and never do something that you don't feel right about. And that funny feeling you have about someone that makes you unsure of them ... Go with it!!  

11) You are Never too old for Disney! 
Enough said!!

12) Forgive but don't forget  

Don't hold onto negativity, forgive those that treat you badly but don't forget what they did. You don't need the grudge hanging over you - so ditch the haters they aren't worth it!  

12) Fall in love

Chances are at 18 it won't be your final love but don't be afraid to fall in love. It's amazing! But be afraid of potential heart ache either, it's part of life live it, learn from it, but never stop yourself from falling in love! 

13) Believe in yourself  

Have confidence in yourself and in your intelligence. If you believe in yourself then others will too ... But don't confuse this with arrogance ... That is not a good quality in anyone.  

14) There is more to life than what's happening on social media.  

Remember to step out of the matrix! I was lucky when I was 18 there was no Facebook or Twitter or anything like that. Whilst it's good to be connected, just remember there is a real world out there full of things for you to DO and not just see on your feed!!  

15) Balance is key

In everything, health, wealth, happiness.  

Eat healthy but have a cheat day, save but treat yourself, be good to others and take care of yourself!!  

Antonia writes a lifestyle blog  www.charismatones.com.
(2018 Update: Antonia's Blog is no longer live.)