What I Wish I Knew At Age 15

Here's everything everyone wish they knew at the age of 15. The number next to it indicates the age the author wrote it at.

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, 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'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, 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.

Hey 15 year old, Rrt

Hey 15 year old, Some up coming life

Hey 15 year old, If you're worried about something, write down all your worries on a paper and crumple it up, cut it with scissors or destroy it in any other way. It will help make you feel better.

Hey 15 year old, It's better not to make big decisions when you're in an a very emotional mood. Get some rest and some sleep first, then when your head is a little more calm the next day, make a decision.

Hey 15 year old, Oftentimes, you have to look for good role models around you. It can be someone you personally know, someone famous or someone fictional, it just helps if you have a specific image of what you want to be, but choose carefully.

Hey 15 year old, If you need a casual way to pick your mood up (that I'm not saying will fix anything serious), look for wholesome memes, mental health memes or memes related to your stresses (ex. studies, family, depression, social anxiety, etc.).

Hey 15 year old, If you have a discriminated identity of some kind, of course, it's important to explore that identity of yours, no doubt. Just recognize that there are parts of your identity beyond that, and that you are not defined by that.

Hey 15 year old, No matter what your parents or family says, psychology is a science and mental illness is real. If they don't listen, you might want to try to look for at least one single sane adult, whether it's a teacher, neighbor, aunt/uncle, and so on.

Hey 15 year old, If you would like to read some eating disorder recovery blogs, I recommend And Then She Recovered, Make Peace with Food, Eating Disorder Hope, Beat Eating Disorders, Project HEAL, Recovery Warriors, The Friend I Never Want(ED) and more.

Hey 15 year old, If you want help finding a sense of calm wherever you go, carry a small sentimental object around you that comforts you, a lot like how a little kid will carry their favorite blankie around. You don't have to grow out of that kind of thing, you know?

Hey 15 year old, Trying out coloring books for adults (which are more complicated) or even coloring books for kids (which are simpler), can be a very calming task if you want to relax. You can buy some or print coloring pages online. There are even apps like this.

Hey 15 year old, If you like video games and looking for something to do outside technology, board games can be pretty fun. It can range from something complex like Dungeons and Dragons, or it can be something classic like Monopoly. Give it a try maybe?

Hey 15 year old, One of the wisest, if not the wisest thing about life is knowing what you don't know. It's when you admit you don't know, and ask help or ask questions, that you end up learning along the way. If you say you know everything, you know nothing.

Hey 15 year old, If you want to help in any way, whether yourself or other people, just first do the smallest thing you can do now. Then continue adding more and more small things, until it builds up into something bigger. All great things start small. Dream big.

Hey 15 year old, Scientifically, even a 10 minute walk has a lot of major benefits already, not just to the body, but to one's mood and brain. If hard physical exercise seems hard to maintain, at least begin with a short walk daily. You can listen to music too.

Hey 15 year old, Some basic ways to improve your physical health is to learn about the basics of the science of nutrition, such as the different vitamins and minerals, as well as what food has each. It's taught in school, but almost everyone forgets it.

Hey 15 year old, If you have some questions about health and your body, the website Kidshealth (for teens too) can help a lot in answering your different questions. If it's confusing, and that includes your emotional health, you can check that out on the site also.