What I Wish I Knew At Age 16

Here's everything everyone wish they knew at the age of 16. 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 16 year old, If you like Reddit and you want some content to cheer you up, look up /r/Upliftingnews, /r/Humansbeingbros, /r/Mademesmile, /r/Wholesomememes, /r/aww, /r/eyebleach, /r/awwducational, /r/animalsbeingbros, /r/photoshop battles and more.

Hey 16 year old, If you've never got to experience having a good mom or dad, or even have one of those at all, look up the subreddits /r/dadforaminute or /r/momforaminute, to have some substitute moms/dads around to ask advice from.

Hey 16 year old, If you're the artistic type, know that writing poetry or even reading poetry can help you make sense of your emotions. Look up the website Family Friend Poems for example, Button Poetry on YouTube, or the Ted-Ed poem playlist.

Hey 16 year old, It's okay to leave some friends behind, or anyone else who is causing pain in your life whatsoever. Sometimes, unlike in the movies, not everyone makes up in the end, and that's okay. Friends come and go. Some stay. Most leave.

Hey 16 year old, If you're black/brown, and police approach you, put your hands up and say "I have the right to remain silent." Do not run away or you might get killed. Any arguments you have, ask a lawyer later. Anything you say can be used against you.

Hey 16 year old, Other than getting classic self defense items online, look up some self defense moves for women to try, if you feel unsafe on the streets or even in your own neighborhood. Check out self defense moves from YouTube too, for some ideas.

Hey 16 year old, Sometimes the most sexist people are people of your own gender, not the opposite gender. Women get complaints from other women that they're not "feminine enough," and men get told by men to "man up," when they cry. Don't neglect this.

Hey 16 year old, If you need guidance on how to take care of yourself and how to learn to love yourself, look up "self care for teens," or even "advice for teenage depression," and "advice for teenage anxiety," if you struggle with that yourself.

Hey 16 year old, If you want a free easy way to relax, look up "mindfulness activities for teens." Mindfulness is a way to become more present so you don't worry too much about the past or the future. If it's too hard, look up "mindfulness games for teens."

Hey 16 year old, Watch videos on Youtube on common movie tropes and stereotypes like the black guy/girl who dies first, the gay best friend, the magical negro, the nerdy Asian kid, the sassy black woman, the dumb blond girl, the dumb jock, and more to examine it all.

Hey 16 year old, Mental illness is not something to brag about or is a sign of lovable quirkiness. It's not a type of disease you idealize, as much as people shouldn't idealize cancer. Look up "romanticization of mental illnesses," on YouTube for more.

Hey 16 year old, If you need help researching something for school, look up "research websites for students," or "tips on Google" (yes, there are a lot of hidden tips beyond the obvious) that can really, really, really help with extra credit and all. Good luck.

Hey 16 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 16 year old, If you want to feel less hungry all the time, look up "high satiety foods," or food that make you feel full more easily. For example, boiled potatoes, eggs, oatmeal, fish, soup, greek yogurt, vegetables, cottage cheese, legumes, nuts and more.

Hey 16 year old, One major sign of manipulation is when people try to create conflict between people who should trust each other, by making up lies about the other person. Look up "triangulation (psychology)," for example. This is to isolate you and trap you.

Hey 16 year old, Sir main kya karu

Hey 16 year old, If something you're studying is difficult to understand, use the Feynman technique. Explain it in your own words or using pictures, diagrams and technical definitions. Try to teach it to someone else. It will organize your thoughts. Look it up.

Hey 16 year old, When others insult you, notice if they're projecting. If they say you're fat and ugly, are they even completely fit and healthy themselves? If they say you're stupid, are they even that smart? If they say you're selfish, are they even kind at all?

Hey 16 year old, When people insult you and bully you, ask why. Not just why they're doing this, but why they believe this about you. Do they even know anything about you? Are they the expert of your life? Do they know everything about the world? Are they smart?

Hey 16 year old, People throw out names, insults, slurs and swears at you and others only because they can't actually provide any calm logical explanation for why they hate you and others. You can't reason with someone who didn't arrive at their ideas with logic.

Hey 16 year old, If you want help others, add something to your resume in college, and find a way to socialize in a very nice friendly environment, you can look up "volunteering ideas for teens," or "places to volunteer for teenagers," for some ideas.

Hey 16 year old, Some basic ways to help the social causes you care about are petition sites like Change.org and Care2. Not to mention click to donate sites (where you look at ads of companies who sponsor charities.) The most famous of this is Free Rice, a quiz game.

Hey 16 year old, If you want an easy way to support social causes, look up search engines that support/sponsor charities like Tab for a Cause, Search for a Cause, Ecosia, giveWater, Elliot for Water, Lilo, Ocean Hero, and more. Look up "charity search engines."

Hey 16 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 16 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 16 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 16 year old, Learn to list your priorities. What are your main priorities in life in order? What is most important and is due the most soon? What is unimportant but due soon? What is important but not due soon? What is unimportant and not due soon?

Hey 16 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 16 year old, There are many anxiety blogs if you would like to read some, such as Beautiful Voyager, Anxious Lass, Anxiety Slayer, Anxiety Sisters, Free From Social Anxiety, Anxiety Canada, About Social Anxiety, Diary of a Social Phobic and more.

Hey 16 year old, If your parents think your depression, anxiety or other mental illness is caused by Satan or that means you're literally possessed by a demon, they might also need as much therapy as you, if not more. They sound pretty loony to me.