Things I Wish I Knew Earlier

We all know the sayings: ‘Hindsight is 20-20′, ‘Everything makes sense through the rearview window’, yada yada yada. If you could go back in time and tell yourself something I’m sure that there would be a LOT to say. There are things we’re all better for because we made mistakes and learned from them. Other things … not so much. Here are a few things I’ wish would tell the younger me. Some are reminders, some are warnings. Either way here are a few things I hope I have the insight and ability to imbue my kids with, should I ever become a parental unit.

  1. Despite what you may see or hear, not everything in this world is a threat.
  2. Embrace your longing for adventure.
  3. Be fascinated by everything. Continue to look at the world in wide-eyed wonder.
  4. Being smart will last you about 20 years. Then you actually have to work at something.
  5. Don’t pursue a post-secondary education until you’ve traveled for a year. You won’t have an explitive clue what you want to do with your life.
  6. When you go: Go. To. University. NOT college.
  7. You know that Beetles song? All you need is love? Yeah its totally sappy but it turns out its actually true. Hold onto that.
  8. When you fuck that up don’t worry – everythings gonna be alright.
  9. Being able to play a musical instrument actually is a gift. Most people can’t do it. Most people can’t hold a note. Don’t lose that skill if you can.
  10. Ideas are incredibly powerful things, but to turn an idea into something requires stress, strain, and sacrifice – and it’s usually worth it.
  • http://www.bootup.ca Maura Rodgers

    It’s hard to see when you are living it but I think you are right on – esp. #7!

    When I was 20, I took a year off of University and headed west for love and adventure. I remember telling my Mom, “all I want in life is to be is happy!” To which she mocked back, “happy, happy, happy!” She thought I was too young to know what was right and was afraid I was going to get hurt. Being a parent now, I can appreciate why she felt that way.

    Since then, I have made many mistakes along the way but doing everything for love – from starting a company to starting a family, has made the ride all worth it. And as hard as it was to watch me go back then, my Mom agrees now that I made the right choice.

  • http://twitter.com/n_j_r Nathan

    I love your list and really like your number 9, but I was fortunate enough to have been given the opportunity to learn an instrument and I miss it now because my instrument is in storage somewhere, it'll just take time to retrieve it when I've got my own place.

    It also reminded me of this article, it resonates:
    http://www.reddit.com/r/reddit.com/comments/b87…

    The thing I would add to my own list would be “Treasure every moment with older generations, they've been there, they've seen that and they have wonderful perspectives on life's experiences.”

  • http://twitter.com/n_j_r Nathan

    I love your list and really like your number 9, but I was fortunate enough to have been given the opportunity to learn an instrument and I miss it now because my instrument is in storage somewhere, it'll just take time to retrieve it when I've got my own place.

    It also reminded me of this article, it resonates:
    http://www.reddit.com/r/reddit.com/comments/b87…

    The thing I would add to my own list would be “Treasure every moment with older generations, they've been there, they've seen that and they have wonderful perspectives on life's experiences.”