What would you say to your younger self?

Embrace my red hair, do not let people bully you about it until you get your first pay cheque and dye it blond. Went red again, bullied still at 54 years old, but at least I'm proud of it now.

Seize the day.
Take chances - after seriously considering the options
Don't let anyone tell you what to do,
if you think it's wrong -it is.
If you wouldn't tell your granny, don't do it.
Don't dwell on 'what might have been'.

For me; 'Things turn out all right in the end',
'Somewhere out there is your partner to be. '
'What is meant to be, is meant to be.'
'You have a choice of paths to take.

Don’t marry young. Travel first.

I shouldn’t have married my late husband.
He was basically a waste of space up until the last ten years of his life when he gave up drinking.
He had the best years of my life, we married when I was 25 and I stood by him up until his death in 2005.
We had been together since 1969.

I would have said: Don't waste time worrying about your children they will grow up safely and end up happy, lovely and well-rounded adults.

Certainly postpone getting married till at least 25! It was almost a fashion trend in the 1960’s to get engaged and married at 19, 20, 21. Live a life, explore the world and learn from your experiences. Wish I had!

I would say be a little braver. Obedience to what my Mother deemed right, restricted me in doing what I wanted. I also saw several people disappear from my life as I was unable to tell them how I felt about them.

Thank you for your wise words BusterTank. At age 8 I was too concerned with being able to get enough to eat and hoping that the School Clinic wouldn't shave my head again because of constant head lice. No yearning for a pony in my neck of the woods!

LauraNorderwhat good advice that would have been. We could have been very useful now if we had told ourselves that.

Stand up to bullies

Don't get married at 20 year old.
Don't listen to people who tell you you can't.
Do go to university.
Do travel as much as you can.
Infact, don't get married at all.

I would tell myself to get an education and qualifications for a job I would find challenging and love doing.
As it was, from the age of 18 I lived off-grid for 4 /5 years with seasonal jobs as in orange and grapefruit picking on an Israeli Kibbutz then France for Grape picking and Campsite work back to Cumbria for Lambing and Dry Stone Walling.
Loved every minute of it but when it came to married life settling down and paying for a mortgage, car and holidays it was done with drab, dull and uninspiring but relatively "safe" jobs.

Don’t let your childhood hold you back. Don’t believe them when they imply you have nothing going for you. You are nice looking and very bright. Leave home early but not by marrying too young. But overall you will do well in life.

I would just say be true to yourself and if people don't like you for being yourself , you don't need them in your life .

Work hard at the sciences, concentrate on virology and specialise in vaccines, your day will come in 2020.

Remember that other people's opinion of you is none of your business. Too much time spent trying to please those who, ultimately, were never going to be pleased , therefore time wasted.

Sorry, your joints.

Try listening to your mother's advice sometimes, or at least consider it. Look after you joints and your teeth.

Stop picking your nose.

I’d say keep trying. Learn from your mistakes but don’t let them hang over you in the future.

Follow your dreams, know your own mind and don’t be put off doing things because your overbearing mother didn’t think it would be a good idea. I missed out on so much because of her.

I would tell me to stay at school and take my A levels.
Work harder to stay in the police force.
Don't reveal too much about yourself to your bosses.
Watch the alcohol intake .
Keep an eye on your weight - find healthier ways of dealing with stress than food, alcohol, etc, etc.

When I read your comments I can remember my Mum saying exactly the same to me! Did I listen- no! In the end I'm quite happy with the way things turned out, although maybe I would tell myself to value my parents and their advice more.

Don't marry the first guy that asks because you're afraid of being left on the shelf.