What I Wish I Knew At Age 17

Here's everything everyone wish they knew at the age of 17. 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 17 year old, If a job makes you pay money to work for them, it’s a scam. Period. If you have to pay for a membership, a "limited edition" pack, a set of products first, a ticket to an event, and so on, it's a scam. Jobs pay you and not the other way around.

Hey 17 year old, If you want a website to offer calculations for different types of math problems, that a normal calculator can't, there's Wolfram Alpha. There's also a free alternative to Wolfram Alpha called fxSolver for solving Math and Engineering problems.

Hey 17 year old, If you want a distraction for stress, "I'm Feeling Lucky" on Google Earth is an awesome feature that helps users to travel to random locations on our planet and learn new things about new attractions in different countries.

Hey 17 year old, Always google a company name + scam before buying anything from them, to check if there is any news out there mentioning if a company is full of scams.

Hey 17 year old, For free vehicle manuals, look up www.justgivemethedamnmanual.com, and no it's not just for guys. Gals can also know how to fix their own car, if they choose too.

Hey 17 year old, You are not a professionally trained therapist and that the burden of helping someone who is suicidal is not on you. If a friend is suicidal, call for professional help because you can support them, but not cure them.

Hey 17 year old, Many processed foods that are advertised as 'Low Fat' have a lot of added sugar to make them taste better, so read the nutritional labels!

Hey 17 year old, When anxiety causing thoughts arise, start mentally describing objects or actions you see in your vicinity, as if you were narrating a story. This will distract your brain from spiraling down that dreaded black hole.

Hey 17 year old, "What do you mean by that?" is a good defense if you have the feeling someone is indirectly criticizing your behavior in a conversation, or "I'm not sure what you meant," or "Help me understand."

Hey 17 year old, If you want to start lifting, you're going to feel weaker than you actually are for a couple weeks because your brain is lazier than your muscles and doesn't want to change.

Hey 17 year old, If you struggle with negative thoughts, learn to "reframe your negative thoughts." (Look up this phrase online.) How would a more optimistic person see the same situation?

Hey 17 year old, In hard times, learn to appreciate the small pleasures of life, and count the little things you have over what you lost. It won't fix everything, but it will keep you moving forward.

Hey 17 year old, If people always come to you to listen to your problems, know it's because they just want to be listened to. You don't have to offer a solution to their problems, or advice. It's OK.

Hey 17 year old, Quiet people aren't necessarily being arrogant or convinced they are better than other people, sometimes they're just shy and looking awkward makes them look bad.

Hey 17 year old, People who haven't been in contact with you for a long time aren't necessarily trying to hurt you. Many people are just depressed, and they've lost contact with their friends.

Hey 17 year old, If you always tend to disagree, learn to find things you have in common with a person before disagreeing. Some debates matter, if someone is immoral, but not all debates matter.

Hey 17 year old, When you don't know what direction to go to, define the words describing what you want. What is love? What is success? What is maturity? What is wisdom? What is health?

Hey 17 year old, If you're smart and curious, learn a little bit more about philosophy, even from short videos on the internet. It will teach you a lot about life, meaning and purpose if you're stuck on that.

Hey 17 year old, Do a part time job for your personal needs

Hey 17 year old, Here's a simple visualization to add to deep breathing exercises (look up "how to do deep breathing," for more details.) Breathe in peace, and breathe out frustration or sadness. Breathe in the color pink, breathe out red or blue (anger/sadness).

Hey 17 year old, If you have trouble getting motivated for something, whether it's trying to win as an athlete or passing with flying colors, look p "inspirational videos," "motivational videos," and "inspirational speeches," or "motivational speeches" on YouTube.

Hey 17 year old, Be careful when you're only with someone as a friend or even as a partner out of pity. This is not true love, and you can still help them without being their lover or even a friend. Though if they don't want help even as you try, they won't change.

Hey 17 year old, How much you would be if you had to define your worth through money? If you say it's anything but priceless, then you're going to need to receive some kind of worth. Even if you know, people can't be bought and sold, do you act that way?

Hey 17 year old, If you want to explore mental illness through gaming, look up "mental health video games," or "games about mental illness," if you want some recommendations. If you want general games like this, look up "mental health games," for example.

Hey 17 year old, If you want to try to look into gaming related charities, look up "gaming for charity," for a fun geeky way to raise funds for different social causes. If you want, offer a bit of cash to give game consoles to children in hospitals, for example.

Hey 17 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 17 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 17 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 17 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 17 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.