By: Sabrina Peters
When I was 16 I thought I knew everything. A few years have passed since then and I have realised I actually didn’t know everything (ha funny that right)!
If I could stand face to face with my 16-year-old self I would have a lot to tell her. She probably wouldn’t listen but I’ll say it anyway!
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Stop caring so much about what other people think of you.
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Love yourself just the way you are.
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Your mum is right 99.8% of the time (even if you don’t like it)!
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Listen more. Talk less.
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They weren’t growing pains, you’ll be that size forever.
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Don’t smoke, it’s totally gross and so bad for your health.
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Forgive that person that hurt you.
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Forgive yourself, God does.
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Banish any self-hatred.
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Stop kissing all the boys, you’ll regret it later.
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It’s OK if you don’t know exactly what you want to do when you grow up.
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God is not angry with you.
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It’s OK to have doubts about your faith.
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Enjoy your hair, it’ll go m.i.a in a few years.
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One day the pain will go away, don’t give up.
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Some of the things you think will make you happy will actually do the opposite.
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Whether in thought or in words, flee from comparison.
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Stop stressing over everything! It may seem really huge but it’s actually not.
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Just do your best.
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Stand up for what you believe in.
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Don’t straighten your hair with your mums iron!
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Oh and drop those friends, you know the ones!
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Tell you parents you love them, one day they might not be around.
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Enjoy your energy.
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Hawaiian shirts are not cool and never will be.
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You don’t need to experience everything to know it’s bad for you.
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Listen to your parents when they say “no”.
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You’ll fall in love easily, don’t give him everything.
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Make-up is not paint, use it sparingly.
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Seek Him, even when you don’t feel anything.
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Trust God, trust God and trust Him again. He’s always got it.
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Stand up for yourself.
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It’s OK to be in the friend zone, one day you’ll get out and you’ll marry that person.
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Stop trying to make massive life decisions, chill out.
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Just stop. No, stop.
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You’re going to have a baby in six years… save your money, don’t spend it on Tony Bianco heels haha.
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Buy shares in Apple.
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Education is a privilege, give it all you’ve got.
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When you fall, get up. Don’t quit. It’s not the end.
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God understands your struggles.
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Don’t give into peer pressure just to fit in with the “cool kids”, they won’t always be so cool.
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No matter how big high school feels it’s such a small part of your life.
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Break up with the boy that treats you bad.
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Don’t get drunk at that party, it’s not as fun as everyone makes it out to be.
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You are good enough.
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Dream big… bigger… bigger again!
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Blue eye shadow does not make your eyes pop, you look weird.
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Your body is perfect, stop picking at it. You are beautiful and oh so loved!
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God has plans to prosper you and not to harm you, wait, and you will receive.
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You are not defined by your past.
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Be careful of who you open up to.
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Don’t be a mean girl.
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Everyone has their own battles in life, always be kind
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Old people actually know stuff, learn from them.
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Stop searching for love and your self-worth in others.
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Don’t give into something today that could destroy your tomorrow.
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God is going to mess up all your plans but His are better!
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You’ll meet a guy when your 18 and think he’s a total creep. He’s not. He’s your husband. Be nicer to him.
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The lottery numbers for this coming wednesday are… 8, 16, 24, 13, 30, 2, 5…(haha jokes I wish!).
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Nothing in this world satisfies like Jesus. Really. Nothing.
(P.S A big thanks to all those that added in their pearls of wisdom!)
What would you tell your 16-year-old self?
Article supplied with thanks to Sabrina Peters.
About the Author: Sabrina is a writer, pastor and relationships blogger. She is passionate about Jesus and changing the way people think about God & sex.
Feature image: Photo by Hannah Busing on Unsplash.