If you could talk to yourself 10 years ago, what would you say?
That tearjerking question stopped one popular chat platform in its tracks this week, sparking an emotional outpouring of advice, regrets, and life lessons people wish they could whisper to their younger selves.
The innocent question posted earlier today on Reddit’s r/AskReddit forum — which has a reputation as being something of an online confessional booth — launched a viral thread, racking up thousands of responses in just hours.
Story after story of heartbreak and hope was shared, with users saying they’d urge themselves to leave toxic relationships, not fear being single, ditch dead-end jobs, and trust that better things were on the way.
The original post posed the gut-punch of a question — what would you tell your younger self, if you had just one minute to impart wisdom from the future?
With only 60 seconds on the clock, commenters were forced to boil down life’s biggest lessons into a single, high-stakes phone call to their past selves.
“You are going to have to be very brave very soon. You can do it. I love you,” one wrote as another commented with a similarly independent yet somber note, “Take care of yourself because NO ONE WILL.”
Others were more specific, and romance-focused.
“Don’t marry him,” one warned as someone else noted, “Leave him, omg just leave him. Don’t worry about the stigma. You’re going to leave him eventually anyway just do it now and have more of your life that’s on yours.”
And some hope for any romantics out there: “Her name is Andrea. She is in Ohio. She will be the best thing that ever happens to you. The rest are trash until you meet her.”
Many users reflected on the regrets they’d love to have been able to help themselves avoid.
“Call dad more. Instigate more trips or visits. Make the hug linger,” one commented.
Another added, stressing that they’d like to get back “wasted years”, “Don’t be an idiot. You’re in love with him, he’s in love with you. There’s never going to be anything that can compare.
Several users pleaded with their past selves to steer clear of drugs — recurring remorse that echoed throughout the thread.
“DO NOT SMOKE CIGARETTES. Also, don’t kill yourself. It gets better. You’ll see lovely sunsets and have a soul mate dog for a little,” one commented.
Someone else replied, “Don’t try meth. Your world is about to implode and you will spend years trying to find yourself again.”
Others urged themselves to quit depleting jobs and pursue their dreams instead.
“That job is awful, it’s not just you. It’ll be a massive relief when you’re free of it, and you’ll be okay,” one wrote.
Another commented, “Don’t be so loyal to your employer,” prompting another to write, “Seriously, this is something I wish I understood a lot sooner.”
Plenty also wished they’d taken their health more seriously — urging their younger selves to put wellness front and center.
“Doctor is being dismissive, go to ER now you are dying!” one urged as another wrote, “Hold on. It’s going to be a bumpy ride. But flow with it. Don’t change a thing. Oh. But maybe go to the dentist more often.”
Still, many said they wouldn’t change a thing — even the hard stuff. (As Alanis Morrissette once said, “life has a funny way of helping you out.”)
Marrying the wrong person, playing it too safe, or growing up too fast all came with silver linings: great kids, hard-won wisdom, and lessons they wouldn’t trade.
“To my 15-year-old self: I’m not angry with you for playing it safe, even if it meant missing out on some of the things your heart ached to experience,” one wrote.
They stressed that the “quiet wisdom has carried us farther than you could have imagined.”
One other expressed, “There is nothing I’d change about my past.”
And for the fate-faithful and destiny believers among us, there was even more to hang hope on:
“Everything turns out great and you’re happy now.”
“It will be alright in the end.”
“Honestly, nothing. Let fate run its course.”
“This, too, shall pass. Also, count your blessings.”
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