What I Wish I Knew At Age 19

Here's everything everyone wish they knew at the age of 19. 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 19 year old, I don’t see the wisdom of this plan [I do not think that it is a good idea ]

Hey 19 year old, Women are allowed to be sexual, and men are allowed to be nonsexual. Yes, women can also watch porn, masturbate and have orgasms. Yes, men can also prioritize romance over sex, not even want to have sex, or just be virgins too.

Hey 19 year old, If you have questions about sex, don't look for answers in porn because it's not realistic. Look up sexplanations on YouTube from a professional sex therapist, or at least look up "list of sex education websites," online.

Hey 19 year old, If you're an adult and yet you don't want to drink, it's okay to say no. It doesn't mean you don't know how to have fun. Often people who can only have fun when drinking are the most boring people.

Hey 19 year old, You're an adult, and legally, you can watch porn. The problem is when watching porn consumes your life so much that you ignore what's important, that it becomes an addiction. Look up on porn addiction for more help. Porn in moderation.

Hey 19 year old, If you're stuck on where to start with being an adult after trying to be an adult for a while, look up "list of like skills," and just google all that stuff. Google doesn't know existential questions, but it sure does know practical ones.

Hey 19 year old, If you need to, you can look up some free courses online from prestigious universities and other colleges on websites like Edx, Coursera, Udacity and Udemy. If you want a certificate for proof though, you have to pay.

Hey 19 year old, It doesn't always fix everything, but it can work as good support for your goals. Just know that whatever practical or emotional goal you have, know there is some kind of app to help you.

Hey 19 year old, If you need help relaxing, look up some white noise or relaxing sounds to listen to. Either you can listen to it on its own, or play it while studying, chores or something similar to focus better.

Hey 19 year old, If you can't get yourself to read whole books on personal development yet, at least go look up some personal development blogs, self help blogs, personal finance blogs or any blogs that will help you. Just think critically on who to trust.

Hey 19 year old, If a workplace wants you to intern for free, run in the other direction. It's a red flag for an abusive workplace, and unless it's a very prestigious company to put on your resume, unpaid internships is a waste of time.

Hey 19 year old, Young adulthood is almost like a second puberty, not physically, but emotionally. You're forced to emotionally grow a lot, and it's extremely awkward, if not even more awkward than physical puberty. It's normal.

Hey 19 year old, For showing love in romance or even to friends and family, try to look up on different love languages, because many arguments in relationships come from having different ways to express love.

Hey 19 year old, Some people are too rebellious, yes, to the point of dangerous things, but I'd argue some people are not rebellious enough. Where you just copy everything your parents and family want for you, meaning you're still stuck in childhood.

Hey 19 year old, Sometimes you have to ask, what motivates you outside of what external voices say to you? Why do you do what you do in life? Why do others tell you something is true or false? Keep asking why.

Hey 19 year old, If you're not ready to let it go yet, give yourself time to be upset over the situation. Yes, it's not meant to be for forever, but don't expect yourself to get over it immediately in just one day either.

Hey 19 year old, If you doodle and you're a visual learner, look up sketchnoting or visual notetaking when it comes to college or learning anything in general.

Hey 19 year old, Sometimes you can do everything right, and still lose. Sometimes you can do your best, and still fail. It's not your fault, and it's okay to be upset. Just know that you can always try again.

Hey 19 year old, When stuck on a problem, describe the problem in one sentence. Then use a thesaurus to find synonyms for the words in that sentence, and see if the slight changes in words gives you any new ideas.

Hey 19 year old, When stuck on a problem, try to see it in others' point of view. Ask what would (name of person) do about this problem? You can even name specific fictional characters, or name what a specific career would think of this problem.

Hey 19 year old, Real optimism is when you acknowledge there are a lot of problems in life and the world, but you still believe that something can be done about it. False optimism is when you deny anything is wrong in the first place, which is also called naivety.

Hey 19 year old, There are good people that do bad things, and bad people who do good things. Sometimes though, people mistake the first for the latter, and vice versa. "Goodness" and "badness," is based on what is a consistent pattern. It's not a one time thing.

Hey 19 year old, If you're stuck on your feelings, ask why more, then ask why again. For example, "Why do I feel anxious?" "Because of the future." "Why?" "Because I'm afraid to fail." "Why?" "Because bullies laughed at me when I failed." And so on.

Hey 19 year old, Learning to have deep meaningful relationships take empathy. It doesn't mean you have to agree with what everyone is saying, but to at least take a person's perspective or side into account first. Put yourself in their shoes, for example.

Hey 19 year old, When you have a long term goal, list specific short term ways to fulfill that goal right now, today or as soon as possible. Do not think of long term goals without setting up short term goals towards it.

Hey 19 year old, Don't spend too much time listening to the news even if you feel the need for it. Limit yourself to a certain number of minutes per day to watch or read the news, because too much can make you miserable.

Hey 19 year old, Overthinking

Hey 19 year old, Women don't reject you just because of your lack of looks, but because you're either not their type, a horrible person or both. When you don't get a date, don't stereotype women as all shallow like they lack common sense.

Hey 19 year old, When people use shouting insults and obscenities in an argument instead of logic, do not argue with them. They have lost all reason. You cannot logic your way out of someone who did not use logic in the first place.

Hey 19 year old, If you're stuck on how to discipline yourself, research online material and especially books on time management skills. It will help you organize your life by a lot.