What I Wish I Knew At Age 17

Here's everything everyone wish they knew at the age of 17. The number next to it indicates the age the author wrote it at.

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, 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, 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 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, 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, 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, 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, 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, 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, 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're one of those aesthetic book loving teens who enjoy the artistry of classic novels, you can get a lot of free classic ebooks from Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org/) if you can't afford as many books as you want to.

Hey 17 year old, When a friend is upset, ask them one simple question before saying anything else: 'Do you want to talk about it or do you want to be distracted from it?' This will change everything when it comes to trying to comfort a friend.

Hey 17 year old, After a bad break up, do 10 things that your ex would never do with you. You'll feel better and realize how much of yourself was being held back.

Hey 17 year old, Always be prepared to leave your employer because they are prepared to leave you. Most employers, especially if you have a low ranking job, will quickly be happy to replace you if you're gone. Some people even die, and employers don't care.

Hey 17 year old, if you're looking for a job, mention it to everybody that you come in contact with. You never know whose sister's neighbor's uncle is hiring.

Hey 17 year old, You may not like being in pictures or taking them, but you will hate that you have no photos of some time period when you’re older. Take pictures even if it is out of your comfort zone occasionally, for your future self.

Hey 17 year old, Unless it harms other people, make it a rule for yourself to NEVER insult how another person finds joy or expresses joy, such as the way people, smile, laugh or their interests and hobbies.

Hey 17 year old, if you're unable to fall asleep at night instead of closing your eyes do the opposite. Keep your eyes wide open. You'll feel drowsy and will automatically close your eyes. If your mind starts racing again open your eyes again.

Hey 17 year old, If you ever feel lonely just watch streamers with 10 viewers on twitch. They will always listen to you, appreciate just you being there. Win-Win for both.

Hey 17 year old, If you have to make a presentation in front of a group of people volunteer to be the first one up as everyone else will be so nervous about their own presentation that they won't pay attention to yours and will more than likely forget any mistake.

Hey 17 year old, In this world, people hide all kinds of mental illnesses they struggle with. Be careful of what you say to others around you, because these days, there are so many suicides even in the youth. What you say online can really mess with people.

Hey 17 year old, If you're a man, and you've discovered online dating apps, don't send pictures of your dick to women you don't even know. Not only because it's wrong, but because legally showing even your own nudes as a minor counts as a criminal offence.

Hey 17 year old, I know very few for now

Hey 17 year old, If you don't know if what you experienced counts as sexual harassment or sexual abuse, and what counts as rape if you are wondering that, then look for the signs of sexual harassment/abuse or signs of rape, if you are confused.

Hey 17 year old, If someone makes an offensive comment on someone's race, gender, sexuality, social class or anything similar, then don't laugh at it if you want to stop it. Just keep a straight serious face the whole time, to make it extremely awkward.

Hey 17 year old, Do chores when you feel angry. Keep to yourself and wash dishes, gardening, sweeping the floor, etc. Use all that adrenaline towards something that will benefit you instead of doing impulsive stuff.

Hey 17 year old, When you have a 3 day weekend, do all of your chores (laundry, cleaning, homework, projects, etc) the night BEFORE your 3 day weekend begins. You may have to stay up late that night but you'll thank yourself later when you have 3 full days to relax.

Hey 17 year old, Don't watch too much news if you want to stay sane. Limit news to a chosen specific number of minutes per day to stay informed, and then go distract yourself with something else. Even video games and Netflix is a better choice than the news.

Hey 17 year old, Make a LinkedIn account. Start thinking about what you want to do after college in the first year itself. Think how much you want to earn as your first salary. Choose a good college that has good placement stats.

Hey 17 year old, Who I am.