Every time I scroll through social media, teeth clenched and blood pressure rising, I inevitably come across an article or thread where a forty-something author gives advice to their younger self.
Excellent essay. At 61, I’ve gained even more wisdom about looking back with regrets. It’s pointless. As you say, life is about learning lessons. My mantra is “live in the present” - can’t change the past, can’t predict the future. The older I get, the more I embrace the precious present.
Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels; I haven't seen that movie in ages. I'll have to watch it this Weekend. Thanks👌 Awesome read as usual. I couldn't stay it better myself. I am always telling the young adults, "FFS! Just take off the bubble wrap and live a little. Scars are sexy, so do worry about getting hurt. You will regret not having regrets. So there is no escaping regret." Love you FF even when are being a Grumpy git. Britain is full of them anyway. I don't call the UK Great Britain, I like to call it Grumpy Gitain🤭
While mistakes are great learning tools, the resultant pain and discomfort make the lessons stick. I wish parents allowed their teenagers to make mistakes *with consequences.* Not doing so causes the "learning mistakes" to be pushed back to the twenties with bigger consequences that can affect more bystanders.
It is nonsense for the simple fact that my younger self wouldn’t have listened anyway
Excellent essay. At 61, I’ve gained even more wisdom about looking back with regrets. It’s pointless. As you say, life is about learning lessons. My mantra is “live in the present” - can’t change the past, can’t predict the future. The older I get, the more I embrace the precious present.
My younger self is a know it all bitch who was walking around like a victim. Today, I tell that bitch to take a hike
I am not forty.
Ah fuck it, I just say embrace the suck and enjoy the fucking ride.
That's what I tell my husband every night 🤭
🤣🤣
Thanks for a really nice read!
You reminded me of two true-isms:
Wisdom only comes with age
and
If youful experimentation leads to scars, remember that scars are tatoos with beteer stories.
Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels; I haven't seen that movie in ages. I'll have to watch it this Weekend. Thanks👌 Awesome read as usual. I couldn't stay it better myself. I am always telling the young adults, "FFS! Just take off the bubble wrap and live a little. Scars are sexy, so do worry about getting hurt. You will regret not having regrets. So there is no escaping regret." Love you FF even when are being a Grumpy git. Britain is full of them anyway. I don't call the UK Great Britain, I like to call it Grumpy Gitain🤭
Beautiful read Francis, as always a gust of fresh air
While mistakes are great learning tools, the resultant pain and discomfort make the lessons stick. I wish parents allowed their teenagers to make mistakes *with consequences.* Not doing so causes the "learning mistakes" to be pushed back to the twenties with bigger consequences that can affect more bystanders.
Hmm... even if I knew then what I know now, it would be totally useless to offer any advice that would be relevant.
I'm probably older than most of you here. My country, and the world which exists today, is so totally different on so many levels to my youth.
The only way to cope, is to live through all of it, learn through experience, and be prepared to adapt accordingly.
Fabulous writing Francis. Very good read. 👍
Francis, I can’t preorder the Kindle edition in Australia. Will you remind us again in a few weeks please.