What I Wish I Knew At Age 15

Here's everything everyone wish they knew at the age of 15. If it's good advice, hit the upvote button. The number next to it indicates the age the author wrote it at. Feel like there's something missing? Add a new message!

Hey 15 year old, If you're a nerd or a geek, embrace it. Enjoy being a fangirl or fanboy of whatever show/book you love. Have fun learning new things online, whether it's being a vocabulary geek or a science nerd. Nerds and geeks go a long way in the long term.

Hey 15 year old, Yes, some adults are too old fashioned to follow up on the social issues of today. Better to trust adults who understand, than adults who do not, even if they are family or your parents. Many don't care about society unless it applies to them.

Hey 15 year old, Sometimes you just have to learn to sit with your feelings, and just let yourself be upset over things sometimes. Imagine watching negative thoughts or feelings pass away like clouds. Suppressing feelings make it worse later on.

Hey 15 year old, It's okay to be masculine as a girl, and it's okay to be feminine as a girl. It's okay to be somewhere in between also. Feminism doesn't mean never being feminine, but allowing all types of girls to be themselves.

Hey 15 year old, If you wouldn't take advice from someone else, then don't take their criticism. Many of them don't even know a single true thing about you, even if you've known them for years. Respect for someone's opinion is earned, not instantly given.

Hey 15 year old, Here is a tip for approaching dangerous people. Never look them in the eye, but don't look up over them or down over them. Just look at the side. Doing anything otherwise can trigger an uncontrolled meltdown or tantrum from them.

Hey 15 year old, If you play Among Us, or watch a lot of Among Us videos, learn to use your ability to detect lies in the game to detect lies in real life. Pretend real life is Among Us, and look out for what's "sus" like a hardcore detective.

Hey 15 year old, If you have a pet, love yourself the way your dog, cat or any other animal loves you. If you want a lesson on how to love yourself, look at how animals feel.

Hey 15 year old, Abuse, bullying or bigotry isn't immediately okay if someone is hot/sexy, rich, talented or famous. If you are any of the latter, then that doesn't excuse you from doing and saying horrible things to other people.

Hey 15 year old, One sign of lying is if people are being vague, or speaking in very unclear and unspecific terms. Another classic sign is when they avoid the question or change the subject. Another is they answer without addressing the question.

Hey 15 year old, Not every photo you see on the internet is completely unedited. These days, filters can be done in such a natural way, it looks real. Contrary to popular belief, filters can also be applied in videos, not just images, these days.

Hey 15 year old, Not every person you offer your secrets will keep your secrets, so be careful who you trust. Take the time to get to know them before offering details of your private life.

Hey 15 year old, People often procrastinate on homework because they believe it's not worth it unless it's perfect. Make an effort to pass homework and tests even if it's not perfect. Do your best, regardless of how hard it is. At least guess.

Hey 15 year old, It is your responsibility to show basic human decency, but people are not entitled to being liked by you, being friends with you or being a romantic partner of you. It's not your job to care for random people's insecurities all the time.

Hey 15 year old, If you have trouble being confident, list the things you like about yourself, and make a habit of looking at it regularly whenever you get insecure. Another involves writing all the compliments (however few!) made you feel good about yourself.

Hey 15 year old, If you're stuck depressed about the state of the world today, you're free to google ways to help. Look up simple things like "How to help others," "How to help the environment," "How to help your community," or how to help any cause you choose.

Hey 15 year old, Know the signs of eating disorders like anorexia, bulimia, orthorexia and more that is more common at this age. It can save someone's life or even yours. Don't be afraid to ask help if you need it.

Hey 15 year old, Some people are going to gain talents very early, while some will take more time to gain talent. This is normal. In the long run, someone who showed more effort without talent goes farther than someone with talent but no effort.

Hey 15 year old, Remember to be careful about comparing yourself to those on social media. People only post the happiest and positive sides of their lives. No one wants to talk about all their problems, and people want to look perfect to others online.

Hey 15 year old, If you want to calm down from a panic attack, learn grounding. (Search "list of grounding techniques.") For example, learn to stay present by counting everything you see in a particular color, and then after, choose another color.

Hey 15 year old, If you're stuck on figuring out the things you like, notice the things you envy about in others and the types of things that irritate you. What makes you jealous? Why? What makes you mad? Why? Ask the right questions.

Hey 15 year old, People are confused and have no idea what they're doing. Even when people get older, people have no idea what they're doing. We're all just trying to figure things out as we go, and that's normal. We're all just human.

Hey 15 year old, Different pieces of advice work for different sorts of people. It might work for them, but it might not work for you. The same is true in reverse. It might work for you, but not for others. Follow what works for you, and don't force advice on others.

Hey 15 year old, A basic thing to learn about managing emotions is that stating what you feel, even to yourself, helps calm yourself down. When upset, point out the emotion/s you're feeling. Point out the thoughts you're thinking. Observe your emotions and thoughts.

Hey 15 year old, Learn to think long-term. Ask, "How would this decision affect me 5 years from now?", "10 years from now?" "20 years from now?" You will know what will matter and what does not.

Hey 15 year old, In your worries, recognize if you're exaggerating the problem to be worse than it really is. I'm not saying there's no problem, or that a problem isn't hard, but perhaps it's not literally cause for concern for the end of the world, right?

Hey 15 year old, If you want to make people like you, the best way is to do something kind for them instead of trying to show off yourself. The simplest genuine compliment, doing small favors or the simplest ways of saying thank you can do a lot for that.

Hey 15 year old, What you create or accomplish is different from who you are. Criticizing what you make or work on is different from an attack of your character. Know the difference between petty insults and concerned constructive criticism.

Hey 15 year old, Don't make generalizations on certain people based on trauma. If a person who hurt you was a certain gender, sexuality, race, age, religion, class, appearance and more, do not assume everyone in that group is trying to hurt you.

Hey 15 year old, You don't have to be perfect to deserve love. You don't have to accomplish anything or be anything to deserve love. You deserve love just the way you are.