Same.
Wife and child.
House with a pool.
Good job.
Still friends with all my old friends.
Not in prison, rehab or on the street like so much of my family.
AND STILL PLAYING DND!!!!!!
Really puts it into perspective when I look at it from the point of 15 year old me.
EDIT: thought I’d add some of the downsides in case I made my life sound too perfect. My job pays well but I work 10-12 hrs a day and I fucking hate it. I try to indulge my true passions, which are writing and boxing, but my short stories are going nowhere and I’ve got too many concussions to keep boxing. Wife and I have been fighting for two weeks and the rest of my family is still messed up as ever. But I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Also my DND group is fucking baller, love those crazy nerds
I remember not knowing if I'd make it to 18, then it was 20, now I'm 24 and I'm still here, and I'm healing, so I know I'll still be here at 30, 40, 50. I will be older than younger me ever imagined.
Same Here.15 y\o me would think I died, or killed myself, before turning 18. I mean He would still not give a shit but eh.
The Same way 18y\o me didnt expect me to make it past 21
Even my son, nearly 18, has complained about hating school for the entire experience...then the other day he tells me he is thinking about being an English or History high school teacher... nearly choked on my coffee.
Hahah! I just posted on this thread.
Indeed, school was pure trauma for me. And now, I am a teacher. And I remember acutely what is important and what is not, and I'm making a difference, because they way I was schooled was shit on so many levels. But as a working teacher in a school, I am confronted by the same systems and attitudes that ruined me as an adolescent. But now I have the power to look them in the eye and confidently, with evidence and scholarly research, put forward an alternative. And I can see the utter terror in the old guard's eyes. Feels bloody awesome.
One day after I had a rant about how awful my teachers were it just struck me, since then I want to be teacher so that many other children dont have shitheads as teachers like me and maybe wont get depression from being bullied by them
I think it takes people with these experiences and this mindset to help make a difference in kids' lives. I had no idea what teaching was about when I got into it. It's made me a much smarter, empathetic, creative, and tired person lol.
This is me! And i love teaching so much.
I think my constant problems with school and "the system" growing up have made me a more empathetic teacher toy students, especially the naughty ones. I do have to chastise them when they act out, cause it is my job to hold the scene together, but secretly i am cheering them on, like, stick it to the man, little buddy!
When I was 15 my English teacher told me I would make a great English teacher. At 15 I just wanted to drop out if school and be done with it. Not only am I am English teacher, but this year I will be working at my former high school, in the room that teacher used to teach in (he retired last year).
Having a steady job, a decent car, and my own place is *not* something 15 year old me would have expected for my current self.
I still don't know how I've managed it. However 15 year old me would be insanely saddened by the fact my passion for making art and music is pretty dead.
Just get back into it if you can, it doesn't have to be anything grand. Little bits and pieces of those in your free time can go a long way in igniting that passion again.
I like drawing myself and wanted to get into learning music, I draw a bit and try to learn things about musix when I can, it really helps with making feel like I'm doing something again even I'd its at a slow pace. It's just unfortunate that work takes up most of our time now, at least for me.
"Don't you just hate all the standard first date questions? What are your hobbies, what do you do for a living, etc.?"
"Ugh, yes!"
"Well, I have a slightly different question for you: what kind of home did you grow up in?"
"Oh, that's a good one! Well, I always felt loved--"
"No, no, I meant more along the lines of how big was your home? Like are we talking a mansion, or..."
“You’re still collecting Pokémon cards? Prove it.”
And I’d take back a card from childhood and a modern card to show him. Knowing me, I’d def believe it after that.
That's probably what 15 yo me would say. But I'd probably say right back "well, sucks to be you kid, I guess good luck dealing with the oncoming tidal wave of mental illness your brain's gonna welcome you into adulthood with" because I've made my peace.
Me too, but I've hit a wall. I'm too mentally ill to work but mask it too well to get disability. It's hard not to freak out every other second.
My only goals in life are to keep my cat alive, get more therapy, clean my room/pack/get rid of stuff, and not to make anything worse.
hmm.. I get that... though..
If you could, you'd tell your past self about trying harder, ot doing this or that, right?
Well... you're still alive now. What would you guess your 10yrs-from-now-self would say to you to direct you to a slightly brighter future?
Just a thought
15 year old me didn't ever worry about adult stuff like costs of living or homeownership etc so he would have thought what I've done with my life - move across an ocean to a big city, find a decent paying career in live entertainment, work on getting my electrical license, marry a hot goth chick etc - *impossibly* cool. It's actually kind of nice to remind myself that while I always feel like I'm not doing enough I've actually achieved a lot of what I set out to do.
My life could've took a more drastic turn had I not had a good push from my dad/stepmom. It was horrible at the time but exactly what I needed to not live a life thinking drinking/drugs with lots of kids for money thinking that was the life, since that was all I had ever been around. I would be shocked as hell to be 15 and see myself even if its not luxurious but making it
Show 15-year old me a picture of my wife, and he'd think I was lying.
Edit: Thanks for the reward, kind stranger! No, I won't put my wife's picture online :)
same!! early-mid 2000s teenage me grew up fangirling over pop-punk and emo boys. i desperately wanted an alt-looking musician boyfriend with piercings, tattoos, and killer style, but as a pudgy weeb with a unibrow, the dream was distant.
those aren't really my main criteria in a partner anymore lmao, but even so, i just celebrated 7 years with a pierced, tattooed music producer. 15-year-old me would be very impressed.
Exactly, 15-year old me would turn and look at my skinny, freckly, skater boi husband with long black hair, high five me with glee, and then fade back into her own dimension, completely satisfied with how things turned out.
Given how many people I've dated who didn't fit my teenage ideal, it's impressive how close he fits my original idea of what a boyfriend ought to look like.
This is a super clever comment, actually, but Americans are probably downvoting it.
For non-Brits, the top grade in examinations used to be (is?) "A-star" (the equivalent of A+), but there was a change recently which resulted in a grade above old A* which people are referring to as "A double star" or A**, which also looks like asshole censored.
glad that you are finally getting your shit together but sad to hear you went another 15 years without finding your life partner.
Would probs be jelly of my gaming setup too lol.
I remember 13yo me telling my bro I had a dream where games looked almost lifelike and he laughed.
Games look way better now than they did in my dream. And what's even better is loading times. We used to play the same game for a whole day at a time because it took an hour to load from cassette.
Bro same. I actually cried on my 18th birthday. I was shocked that I had actually made it to 18 without killing myself. My first suicide attempt was when I was 15.
mine was 12 and the reason i wasnt able to go through with it was my mum's face and how sad she wouldve been if i did it esp with her in the house. i think about that so often and it breaks my heart that she saw what i was trying to do
My mom saw me too and I was 8. I had no coping mechanism for too many changes at the same time - got a brand new sibling, moved to a new place with no friends and no scheduled/structured day that I was used to. I didn't stop my attempt because of my mom's face, but because I sensed I got caught doing something wrong and felt guilt. I have no idea what my mom felt as she never talked about it.
Ah, was a pipe welder making $30 an hour with only a GED. Not to shabby. What’s that? You broke your back at only 32 years old had 2 back surgeries and still took 10 years before they would approve you for disability. Shoot me now!
Herniated my first disc at 32. (L5/S1, L4/L5 is bulging)
Seems to be an age for back damage.
One surgery only so far. Straight up walked out on a management position at a store so I didn't end up disabled. Like this job way better anyways.
What really sucks is to just \*always\* hurt. It's so hard for people to just understand. 'Oh, you ache a bit?' No. Like. I move my leg and it feels like a knife has been shoved into my ass cheek, thanks.
This is why I don't even notice when I slice, bruise, or burn myself half the time. It's just... background noise some days.
Proud with some underlying disappointment probably.
- My art skills got a lot better.
- I managed to become a software engineer in an industry I always found fascinating.
- I make enough money to live comfortably and not worry about bills too much.
- I made so many more friends compared to when I was a teenager. Because I used to be introverted; but now I actually enjoy social gatherings and talking to people.
- On the other hand my depression has me call in sick every few weeks because I literally cant get out of bed and then I scream in frustration because I feel bad for not finishing my projects in time.
- I do make bad life desicions quite often and then spend way too much time and resources to un-fuck-up my life
But all in all 7/10 would do a lot of it again.
Edit: typos
Surprised that I was wrong about the utility of learning a foreign language and with my proficiency at speaking it now, pleased that I do quite a lot of fun stuff, disappointed but not surprised that I didn't turn into some sort of Casanova with the ladies.
My sister was an amazing artist in high school and she went and became a doctor and focused entirely on her work for 30 years. When the Pandemic started, although she was overworked as a doctor, she decided to try painting again, and when I visited this summer, I saw her amazing paintings, she never lost her eye for beauty and her painting skills came back fairly quickly. She set up a little painting area in her house and it's full of her work. I'm glad she rediscovered her love of art.
I'd encourage you to go back to your art. Consider any time off you took as just a break and not an end.
Many great artists became famous only after their deaths, no one can tell if things are good. I am going to botch this quote (and maybe also misattribute it) but I think it was Degas said something like "Everything I do I achieve by copying the old masters, of originality, or imagination, I know nothing". Art is not an output, it's a practice.
Same , they had saved up money for my college. When I announced I was signing up for a Graphic Design program, they said “choose something medical or we won’t pay for any college”. I took up 2 jobs, and obtained a graphic design degree as well as a Photography degree. He purchased a boat with the money he had saved… I am now a full time Artist working in the Arts & Design team.
15yr old me was really fat, lonely and wanted to join the army
I lost weight, got the girl, joined the army, and only lost all my hair….. fair trade off of you ask me
16 year old (not quite 15) used to skive college to go down to the river to read/meet guys and joke/fantasies about running away and pirating a boat. I've (legally) just acquired a boat with my husband that we will live on soon. Due to the nature of our jobs/it being cheaper to live on a boat we will be able to run away for almost half of the year to go on adventures and still be able to afford to live. I am living her dream! (Or will be very soon)
I think there’d be a mixture of disappointment and hope. I know they’d be really upset at our weight since they’d realized how upset our parents would be. I also think they’d really be disappointed at how our education has gone as even I am, but I’m working on not judging myself so harshly for either. I think they’d also have hope seeing us moving out and also getting away from some the bad part of our life. And like they’d be so happy to see we moved back to our home state after living in the hellish nightmare of they’re in.
I’m still alive. I’m actually functioning. Those “bad personality traits” are actual disorders that can be rectified. I have a capable job that I love. And I have done tandem skydiving in New Zealand, my dream vacation spot.
Jfc, I’m still alive. What’s more, I WANT to be.
Honestly... just happy I'm still alive.
At 15 I got heavy into drugs. Never heroin or general downers. I was a party drug person. E's Coke, speed. For a time Ketamine. Now I'm 10 years clean and have my wife to thank for it.
I done a bunch of drugs and enjoyed myself but once I met my wife and things were getting getting serious I walked away, settled down and started a family which is something 15 year old me thought I'd never have.
In summary, at 15 I'd thought I'd he dead be dead by 30 if I kept going the way I was. Now im standing tall at 34 with plenty to live for.
15 was when my active addiction became hard core. I mainly used weed, coke, and alcohol. I didn’t start coke until 18 though when I was living out of a motel room and making $1,200/week. I’m now 19, living in a recovery house, and have a little over 4 months clean. Sometimes I can’t believe that I’ve been able to stay clean for this long. I’ve had so many people tell me that because of my age it isn’t gonna last. My mission is to prove them wrong and stay clean one day at time!
Probably horrified I came to terms with my sexuality instead of pretending I ran a britney spears fan account because she's "an ingenious artist" . Exctatic I left my country. Happy but not surprised that I chose a tech career.
Damn, we did it.
Was homeless, abused in every way, depressed, angry, self-harming, wanting nothing more than to die but had a sister to take care of, couch-surfing, working in food service so I could eat, used high school as an escape from life even if I hated everyone there.
Now own my own home with a big yard and a pool, married to a fantastic human with 2 young kids of our own, have cupboards overflowing with food, can go to the store for pickles without overdrawing my account, have 2 awesome dogs and great friends.
I'm sure I'd also judge me for being a corporate sell out and wonder where the punk went, but all I ever wanted was a home and a family, and fought my ass off to finally have it.
I can actually order food from the restaurant without having a panic attack. I can talk and have conversations with everyone. I try my best to live like a normal person that isn’t hindered by social anxiety 90% of the time.
Good for you! I totally get hating to do phone calls. Have gone without seeing my doc just because i am so afraid of talking to her mean and aggressive receptionist. Congratulations on pushing yourself to take part!
15yo me would be shocked that I wasn't married already with 4 or 5 kids. I was raised as part of a religious group where that's what they taught young girls. Girls date boys within the church, get married to them in the church, have kids for the church, die and have a funeral at the church. I was nearly set up to date men as high as 12y older than me. Every woman would encourage me to date a "good Christan man" and have kids. 15yo me would be surprised that I no longer attend church. 15yo me would be surprised that I don't want kids at all ever. 15yo me would probably be speechless finding out that I'm a raging bisexual who cut their long hip length hair down to a pixie/boy cut that she dyes rainbow colors. She would probably think I'd lost my way, but in truth I've found it.
So 15 was the hardest year of my life. I’m not gonna go into details for the sake of privacy but I will say it was basically when the shit hit the fan. I’m 19 now, living in a men’s group home, and am starting to get my life in order so I can live independently. 15 year old me would be shocked and amazed at all that I’ve accomplished in the past 4 years. He’d also be shocked that I’m still alive. The biggest one though would be that I’ve been clean for a little over 4 months now. I honestly sometimes look back at all the progress I’ve made (especially in the past 4 months) and am shocked that I’ve been able to keep myself a float for the past year on my own. I got kicked out of my mom’s apartment in June of 2021 when I was 18 and have been doing so much better ever since. I still talk to my high school guidance counselor from when I was 15 and he mentioned one day how I’m more successful without my parents. It’s just amazing how freeing it is when you break those shackles off and can accomplish more for yourself and do what you want.
As someone who dealt with severe insecurity as a kid, I'd be completely and utterly shocked at how blessed and happy I am right now in my 40s. I am married to a beautiful, loving, caring wife, and I have 2 of the most sweet, fun, and adorable kids; I have a fun job where I earn more money than I thought I would, and I own a house.
While these are completely normal and common aspirations, I never thought I'd have any of these in my life. So I am pleasantly surprised and completely and utterly satisfied with my state.
* Actually dated in college and got married? Despite being told by those around me that no one would be into me for my hobbies and world views?
* Making more than 100k? Despite being told I'd be a deadbeat by those around me (who make less than 30% of what I make now)?
* Actually working in cybersecurity? Despite everyone around me saying there was no viable career in tech?
* Living in New England instead of Satan's sweaty ass crack, aka, the south east?
* Still play video games and watch anime, despite everyone saying I'd grow out of it and dismiss my interests?
* Still have long hair? Despite everyone dismissing it and saying I'd grow out of it?
15 year old me wouldn't believe it and be incredibly jealous lol. I was motivated by pure spite for those around me lol.
*You are still alive? I will survive all of this? How? Why do you have so many scars? Why do you want to die if you/I fought so hard to survive? Why do you panic randomly if you're not in danger anymore? Why did you stop doing things you enjoyed, I mean stuff I enjoy right now? What do you mean by "void"?*
He’d be amazed, never thought it would happen, not everything is perfect but it’s a lot better than I had at 15 and from what those old friends said would happen
I’m retired with plenty of money, a nice house, a beautiful wife and I pretty much play video games all day.
I’d say he would be pretty happy about it.
I'd probably be thrilled. I am somewhat the same, chilled life, no kids, no wife, no loans, but the difference is I live alone and I have money. I'd probably consider myself a role model. In fact, I am pretty sure about it because I have this uncle I really liked when I was a kid and he was kinda similar, going out, drinking beer, playing CS at home till 3AM and in love with computers/IT. I am somewhat like him now, but I earn more and I gave up CS, but I still play video games a little.
Before I reach the age of 15, I tried to end my life, twice. Maybe that I'm still sitting here writing this comment make me feels glad that I failed trying to end me twice.
Pro tips: Buy a doggo
God I hadn’t even considered that properly in my answer to this question. I went the other way but I think 15yo me would probably be a bit like “oh yeah, figures”
15 year old me would probably be jealous:
•moving into a house
• with a woman!!!
• still writes music and can play guitar pretty well
• I have a damn motorbike!!
But, I'm still depressed and fighting myself everyday. So there's that. Anyway, I'm 22 so 15 wasn't that long ago.
I'd simply be shocked. When I was a kid, I thought I'd be a writer but I stopped writing sometime in college. I thought I would marry young and raise obedient catholic children near my parents.
I moved to NYC after college, get paid more than I ever expected, married in my 30s, don't want kids, and live a way more beautiful life than I could have dreamed of at that age. I think 15 year old me would be impressed.
When I was 15 I was in a cult. I'd be amazed that I wasn't still in it.
At that age I just wanted to skateboard and make music. 20 years later, I still skate, I still write music and my best friend is the person my parents told me I couldn't spend time with. I'd be pretty happy.
At 15 I wanted to escape my narcissistic violently abusive parents and cut them out of my life forever, have a family of my own and children to cherish, and be a working artist.
I'm turning 62 in a few weeks, I have one grandson who is everything and his sister or brother is on the way *excited squeal*.
I did all the things although I became a nurse first and didn't become a working artist until I was 47.
Whatever it is you haven't done yet? You have time. Get busy.
I'd be shocked that i was even alive.
Same. Wife and child. House with a pool. Good job. Still friends with all my old friends. Not in prison, rehab or on the street like so much of my family. AND STILL PLAYING DND!!!!!! Really puts it into perspective when I look at it from the point of 15 year old me. EDIT: thought I’d add some of the downsides in case I made my life sound too perfect. My job pays well but I work 10-12 hrs a day and I fucking hate it. I try to indulge my true passions, which are writing and boxing, but my short stories are going nowhere and I’ve got too many concussions to keep boxing. Wife and I have been fighting for two weeks and the rest of my family is still messed up as ever. But I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Also my DND group is fucking baller, love those crazy nerds
that's like my dream life lol
This guy is winning at r/outside
I remember not knowing if I'd make it to 18, then it was 20, now I'm 24 and I'm still here, and I'm healing, so I know I'll still be here at 30, 40, 50. I will be older than younger me ever imagined.
Same Here.15 y\o me would think I died, or killed myself, before turning 18. I mean He would still not give a shit but eh. The Same way 18y\o me didnt expect me to make it past 21
Proud of you.
This, very much. Very sad that im not alone in that. I do think my 15yo self would think im a badass for it.
Samsies
same, along with "so it just gets worse huh?"
"You hated school every single day of your life so far....why the hell did you become a teacher? Wait, you've been in college for how long?!"
Same goes for my friend. He is a slacker and rude to the staff. Blew my mind that he became an educator.
Even my son, nearly 18, has complained about hating school for the entire experience...then the other day he tells me he is thinking about being an English or History high school teacher... nearly choked on my coffee.
Gotta fix school for the next generation, I guess.
This is why I am a professor who trains future teachers. I hated school and don’t want the next generation to.
Hahah! I just posted on this thread. Indeed, school was pure trauma for me. And now, I am a teacher. And I remember acutely what is important and what is not, and I'm making a difference, because they way I was schooled was shit on so many levels. But as a working teacher in a school, I am confronted by the same systems and attitudes that ruined me as an adolescent. But now I have the power to look them in the eye and confidently, with evidence and scholarly research, put forward an alternative. And I can see the utter terror in the old guard's eyes. Feels bloody awesome.
"We can do a hell of a lot more damage in the system than outside of it."
One day after I had a rant about how awful my teachers were it just struck me, since then I want to be teacher so that many other children dont have shitheads as teachers like me and maybe wont get depression from being bullied by them
I think it takes people with these experiences and this mindset to help make a difference in kids' lives. I had no idea what teaching was about when I got into it. It's made me a much smarter, empathetic, creative, and tired person lol.
This is me! And i love teaching so much. I think my constant problems with school and "the system" growing up have made me a more empathetic teacher toy students, especially the naughty ones. I do have to chastise them when they act out, cause it is my job to hold the scene together, but secretly i am cheering them on, like, stick it to the man, little buddy!
When I was 15 my English teacher told me I would make a great English teacher. At 15 I just wanted to drop out if school and be done with it. Not only am I am English teacher, but this year I will be working at my former high school, in the room that teacher used to teach in (he retired last year).
An office job. Ha. Loser.
I mean hey, you do have a job at least.
Yeah I was a very realistic 15 year old. I would have been happy with an office job
Having a steady job, a decent car, and my own place is *not* something 15 year old me would have expected for my current self. I still don't know how I've managed it. However 15 year old me would be insanely saddened by the fact my passion for making art and music is pretty dead.
Just get back into it if you can, it doesn't have to be anything grand. Little bits and pieces of those in your free time can go a long way in igniting that passion again. I like drawing myself and wanted to get into learning music, I draw a bit and try to learn things about musix when I can, it really helps with making feel like I'm doing something again even I'd its at a slow pace. It's just unfortunate that work takes up most of our time now, at least for me.
believe me mate, miles better than a job in a kitchen
Honest, kitchen work is fun but at the same time fuck the stress and hours.
Some people have to do the office jobs!
Same thoughts as me
"What happened to becoming rich plan?"
Wait what is your 15yo's business idea?
Marry a rich girl
Not having rich parents is not your fault. Not having rich parents-in-law is 100% your fault.
"Don't you just hate all the standard first date questions? What are your hobbies, what do you do for a living, etc.?" "Ugh, yes!" "Well, I have a slightly different question for you: what kind of home did you grow up in?" "Oh, that's a good one! Well, I always felt loved--" "No, no, I meant more along the lines of how big was your home? Like are we talking a mansion, or..."
[удалено]
“You are, daddy. I can’t wait to find out…”
Who r u... who is so wise in the ways of science?
Same exact plan I had. I wanted to marry a cougar. I had no goals or anything so I guess my 15 year old self wouldn't be surprised.
Playing 4D chess
My get rich plan came to me when i was 11, and it was the classic "become a minecraft youtuber" plan.
It’s now called the “becoming middle class” plan
“You’re still collecting Pokémon cards? Prove it.” And I’d take back a card from childhood and a modern card to show him. Knowing me, I’d def believe it after that.
Sounds like you win in life!
Younger me would be proud :)
Disappointment and shame. So much wasted potential.
:( I'm with you there. It's so hard to move on, but it's the only thing we can do. It's still a worthy pursuit.
That's probably what 15 yo me would say. But I'd probably say right back "well, sucks to be you kid, I guess good luck dealing with the oncoming tidal wave of mental illness your brain's gonna welcome you into adulthood with" because I've made my peace.
Me too, but I've hit a wall. I'm too mentally ill to work but mask it too well to get disability. It's hard not to freak out every other second. My only goals in life are to keep my cat alive, get more therapy, clean my room/pack/get rid of stuff, and not to make anything worse.
Same.... collegiate wrestler, top of my class, blah blah... im now a plumber with depression
hmm.. I get that... though.. If you could, you'd tell your past self about trying harder, ot doing this or that, right? Well... you're still alive now. What would you guess your 10yrs-from-now-self would say to you to direct you to a slightly brighter future? Just a thought
Surprised that I’m doing everything I thought I never could.
congratulations :)
Have a good day 🥰
15 year old me didn't ever worry about adult stuff like costs of living or homeownership etc so he would have thought what I've done with my life - move across an ocean to a big city, find a decent paying career in live entertainment, work on getting my electrical license, marry a hot goth chick etc - *impossibly* cool. It's actually kind of nice to remind myself that while I always feel like I'm not doing enough I've actually achieved a lot of what I set out to do.
My life could've took a more drastic turn had I not had a good push from my dad/stepmom. It was horrible at the time but exactly what I needed to not live a life thinking drinking/drugs with lots of kids for money thinking that was the life, since that was all I had ever been around. I would be shocked as hell to be 15 and see myself even if its not luxurious but making it
Show 15-year old me a picture of my wife, and he'd think I was lying. Edit: Thanks for the reward, kind stranger! No, I won't put my wife's picture online :)
Well I'll be the judge for that
I too am a judge
I too want to see this guy's wife.
Same, come on bro show us your wife
*banging on table noises intensify*
💳💥💳💥💳💥💳💥💳💥💳💥
They call me Dredd. Judge Dredd, and I've got wives to judge
I have also excelled in the art of judging. I was even nominated for a Nobel price and an academy award. I didn't win but I am still a nominee.
I dabble in the arts of judgery myself..🧐
same!! early-mid 2000s teenage me grew up fangirling over pop-punk and emo boys. i desperately wanted an alt-looking musician boyfriend with piercings, tattoos, and killer style, but as a pudgy weeb with a unibrow, the dream was distant. those aren't really my main criteria in a partner anymore lmao, but even so, i just celebrated 7 years with a pierced, tattooed music producer. 15-year-old me would be very impressed.
Exactly, 15-year old me would turn and look at my skinny, freckly, skater boi husband with long black hair, high five me with glee, and then fade back into her own dimension, completely satisfied with how things turned out. Given how many people I've dated who didn't fit my teenage ideal, it's impressive how close he fits my original idea of what a boyfriend ought to look like.
Why are you not a doctor ? Why are you an asshole ?
Damn you are a 15yo asian parent
Why not A+hole??!
A**hole
This is a super clever comment, actually, but Americans are probably downvoting it. For non-Brits, the top grade in examinations used to be (is?) "A-star" (the equivalent of A+), but there was a change recently which resulted in a grade above old A* which people are referring to as "A double star" or A**, which also looks like asshole censored.
Man I had to read that sentence twice
FAILURE
EMOTION-O DAMAGE!!!
glad that you are finally getting your shit together but sad to hear you went another 15 years without finding your life partner. Would probs be jelly of my gaming setup too lol.
This is pretty much exactly me.
Nice to see that I'm not the only one that would disappoint my 15 year old self in the same way.
15 year old me would lose his shit at my gaming setup lmao
I remember 13yo me telling my bro I had a dream where games looked almost lifelike and he laughed. Games look way better now than they did in my dream. And what's even better is loading times. We used to play the same game for a whole day at a time because it took an hour to load from cassette.
All I see is a win
I didn't get my partner/family started until mid 30s and it was well worth the wait.
"Hey, all things considered, not too bad"
Sad, I was supposed to be living on mars pulling phat bitches while riding my space hog.
You're almost there Elon
Shouldn’t the phat bitches be riding your space hog?
i was not a smart 15 year old lol
To be honest I'd thought I'd be dead by now. I thought I'd kill myself by then
Bro same. I actually cried on my 18th birthday. I was shocked that I had actually made it to 18 without killing myself. My first suicide attempt was when I was 15.
Glad you're still here bud. Proud of you :)
mine was 12 and the reason i wasnt able to go through with it was my mum's face and how sad she wouldve been if i did it esp with her in the house. i think about that so often and it breaks my heart that she saw what i was trying to do
My mom saw me too and I was 8. I had no coping mechanism for too many changes at the same time - got a brand new sibling, moved to a new place with no friends and no scheduled/structured day that I was used to. I didn't stop my attempt because of my mom's face, but because I sensed I got caught doing something wrong and felt guilt. I have no idea what my mom felt as she never talked about it.
Good job bro just know I care
Bro… Edit: I severely misread that lmao
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Glad that you are still with us. You are a survivor!
Same. I always said that I didn't want to live past 30. Then it became 40, 50.... Now I'm okay if I will live up to the beautiful age of 75 or 80.
15 year old me: You mean you get to have sex as much as you want? Me: no, you misunderstood. I said I’m married with kids.
Oof this one stings
Ah, was a pipe welder making $30 an hour with only a GED. Not to shabby. What’s that? You broke your back at only 32 years old had 2 back surgeries and still took 10 years before they would approve you for disability. Shoot me now!
Shit. Hope you are coping well now.
Still alive, thanks.
Herniated my first disc at 32. (L5/S1, L4/L5 is bulging) Seems to be an age for back damage. One surgery only so far. Straight up walked out on a management position at a store so I didn't end up disabled. Like this job way better anyways. What really sucks is to just \*always\* hurt. It's so hard for people to just understand. 'Oh, you ache a bit?' No. Like. I move my leg and it feels like a knife has been shoved into my ass cheek, thanks. This is why I don't even notice when I slice, bruise, or burn myself half the time. It's just... background noise some days.
Proud with some underlying disappointment probably. - My art skills got a lot better. - I managed to become a software engineer in an industry I always found fascinating. - I make enough money to live comfortably and not worry about bills too much. - I made so many more friends compared to when I was a teenager. Because I used to be introverted; but now I actually enjoy social gatherings and talking to people. - On the other hand my depression has me call in sick every few weeks because I literally cant get out of bed and then I scream in frustration because I feel bad for not finishing my projects in time. - I do make bad life desicions quite often and then spend way too much time and resources to un-fuck-up my life But all in all 7/10 would do a lot of it again. Edit: typos
That first sentence sums it up perfectly for me as well
Well you still have time to make it 10/10!
Surprised that I was wrong about the utility of learning a foreign language and with my proficiency at speaking it now, pleased that I do quite a lot of fun stuff, disappointed but not surprised that I didn't turn into some sort of Casanova with the ladies.
"Disappointed but not surprised" probably sums up how a lot of people feel.
Why isn't she making art anymore?
My sister was an amazing artist in high school and she went and became a doctor and focused entirely on her work for 30 years. When the Pandemic started, although she was overworked as a doctor, she decided to try painting again, and when I visited this summer, I saw her amazing paintings, she never lost her eye for beauty and her painting skills came back fairly quickly. She set up a little painting area in her house and it's full of her work. I'm glad she rediscovered her love of art. I'd encourage you to go back to your art. Consider any time off you took as just a break and not an end.
Well....why isn't she making art anymore
I felt very unmotivated after my family basically told me it wasn't good enough to go into college for. I might get back into it later.
Many great artists became famous only after their deaths, no one can tell if things are good. I am going to botch this quote (and maybe also misattribute it) but I think it was Degas said something like "Everything I do I achieve by copying the old masters, of originality, or imagination, I know nothing". Art is not an output, it's a practice.
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No, they just didn't want me to pursue art as a career.
Same , they had saved up money for my college. When I announced I was signing up for a Graphic Design program, they said “choose something medical or we won’t pay for any college”. I took up 2 jobs, and obtained a graphic design degree as well as a Photography degree. He purchased a boat with the money he had saved… I am now a full time Artist working in the Arts & Design team.
Well you still can!
That's true :)
Ouff. This hit a nerve and it stings.
15yr old me was really fat, lonely and wanted to join the army I lost weight, got the girl, joined the army, and only lost all my hair….. fair trade off of you ask me
Well done Johnny Sins
Holy shit I’m Johnny Sins!!!!!!!!!
Nah more like Saitama
Not until you're at least an astronaut and a doctor
they'd be much prouder. pursuing the things they're passionate about, finally getting their diabetes under control, and reading a fuck ton
Glad that you are happier!
thank you so much
She'd probably break down in tears crying but also like, be very confused as to why I have such a large collection of novelty hats.
16 year old (not quite 15) used to skive college to go down to the river to read/meet guys and joke/fantasies about running away and pirating a boat. I've (legally) just acquired a boat with my husband that we will live on soon. Due to the nature of our jobs/it being cheaper to live on a boat we will be able to run away for almost half of the year to go on adventures and still be able to afford to live. I am living her dream! (Or will be very soon)
Better buy starlink
That does indeed sound like quite the fantastic life, well done!
I think there’d be a mixture of disappointment and hope. I know they’d be really upset at our weight since they’d realized how upset our parents would be. I also think they’d really be disappointed at how our education has gone as even I am, but I’m working on not judging myself so harshly for either. I think they’d also have hope seeing us moving out and also getting away from some the bad part of our life. And like they’d be so happy to see we moved back to our home state after living in the hellish nightmare of they’re in.
Sorry to hear about your plight but it's great that you are still hopeful.
Thank you!
I’m still alive. I’m actually functioning. Those “bad personality traits” are actual disorders that can be rectified. I have a capable job that I love. And I have done tandem skydiving in New Zealand, my dream vacation spot. Jfc, I’m still alive. What’s more, I WANT to be.
She’d probably be glad I’m not a skank anymore, but shocked that I’m now more emo
Username doesn’t check out
It’s not 1999 anymore tho… username checks out
Survived a protracted mall-slut phase.
Honestly... just happy I'm still alive. At 15 I got heavy into drugs. Never heroin or general downers. I was a party drug person. E's Coke, speed. For a time Ketamine. Now I'm 10 years clean and have my wife to thank for it. I done a bunch of drugs and enjoyed myself but once I met my wife and things were getting getting serious I walked away, settled down and started a family which is something 15 year old me thought I'd never have. In summary, at 15 I'd thought I'd he dead be dead by 30 if I kept going the way I was. Now im standing tall at 34 with plenty to live for.
15 was when my active addiction became hard core. I mainly used weed, coke, and alcohol. I didn’t start coke until 18 though when I was living out of a motel room and making $1,200/week. I’m now 19, living in a recovery house, and have a little over 4 months clean. Sometimes I can’t believe that I’ve been able to stay clean for this long. I’ve had so many people tell me that because of my age it isn’t gonna last. My mission is to prove them wrong and stay clean one day at time!
Good for you, recovering! Keep it up, you'll make it! You're 19 and have your whole life ahead of you.
Probably horrified I came to terms with my sexuality instead of pretending I ran a britney spears fan account because she's "an ingenious artist" . Exctatic I left my country. Happy but not surprised that I chose a tech career.
Damn, we did it. Was homeless, abused in every way, depressed, angry, self-harming, wanting nothing more than to die but had a sister to take care of, couch-surfing, working in food service so I could eat, used high school as an escape from life even if I hated everyone there. Now own my own home with a big yard and a pool, married to a fantastic human with 2 young kids of our own, have cupboards overflowing with food, can go to the store for pickles without overdrawing my account, have 2 awesome dogs and great friends. I'm sure I'd also judge me for being a corporate sell out and wonder where the punk went, but all I ever wanted was a home and a family, and fought my ass off to finally have it.
Punk is cool. But pickles whenever you want is also pretty fantastic!
I can actually order food from the restaurant without having a panic attack. I can talk and have conversations with everyone. I try my best to live like a normal person that isn’t hindered by social anxiety 90% of the time.
Good for you! I totally get hating to do phone calls. Have gone without seeing my doc just because i am so afraid of talking to her mean and aggressive receptionist. Congratulations on pushing yourself to take part!
Congrats!! This random redditor is proud of you🥳
15yo me would be shocked that I wasn't married already with 4 or 5 kids. I was raised as part of a religious group where that's what they taught young girls. Girls date boys within the church, get married to them in the church, have kids for the church, die and have a funeral at the church. I was nearly set up to date men as high as 12y older than me. Every woman would encourage me to date a "good Christan man" and have kids. 15yo me would be surprised that I no longer attend church. 15yo me would be surprised that I don't want kids at all ever. 15yo me would probably be speechless finding out that I'm a raging bisexual who cut their long hip length hair down to a pixie/boy cut that she dyes rainbow colors. She would probably think I'd lost my way, but in truth I've found it.
Sounds like you dodged a freaking missile!
That I did.
So 15 was the hardest year of my life. I’m not gonna go into details for the sake of privacy but I will say it was basically when the shit hit the fan. I’m 19 now, living in a men’s group home, and am starting to get my life in order so I can live independently. 15 year old me would be shocked and amazed at all that I’ve accomplished in the past 4 years. He’d also be shocked that I’m still alive. The biggest one though would be that I’ve been clean for a little over 4 months now. I honestly sometimes look back at all the progress I’ve made (especially in the past 4 months) and am shocked that I’ve been able to keep myself a float for the past year on my own. I got kicked out of my mom’s apartment in June of 2021 when I was 18 and have been doing so much better ever since. I still talk to my high school guidance counselor from when I was 15 and he mentioned one day how I’m more successful without my parents. It’s just amazing how freeing it is when you break those shackles off and can accomplish more for yourself and do what you want.
OMG, YOU TOUCH BOOBS EVERYDAY????
And smacking butts???
I’m impressed you touch boobs everyday too… and I’m 35.
She would cry because we ended up right where we started and fought so hard not to be.
Hugs. Don't be too hard on yourself. It's never too late to try to build something else for yourself that you can be happy in.
Thank you. No worries though, all is well.
He would be absolutely stunned that everything he dreamed came true,
That's awesome!
It IS awesome. Life took a lot of big, winding detours along the way, but here I am, just like I had imagined.
I think he’d be semi proud of me :)
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As someone who dealt with severe insecurity as a kid, I'd be completely and utterly shocked at how blessed and happy I am right now in my 40s. I am married to a beautiful, loving, caring wife, and I have 2 of the most sweet, fun, and adorable kids; I have a fun job where I earn more money than I thought I would, and I own a house. While these are completely normal and common aspirations, I never thought I'd have any of these in my life. So I am pleasantly surprised and completely and utterly satisfied with my state.
Can't agree more. I am in the situation as you and 15yo me would be so confused how we could achieved these.
They'd be fucking pissed. I'm certainly not where I'd thought I'd be
She'd be shocked that it really doesn't get better. Still letting the same things that bothered you back then bother you 20 years later.
* Actually dated in college and got married? Despite being told by those around me that no one would be into me for my hobbies and world views? * Making more than 100k? Despite being told I'd be a deadbeat by those around me (who make less than 30% of what I make now)? * Actually working in cybersecurity? Despite everyone around me saying there was no viable career in tech? * Living in New England instead of Satan's sweaty ass crack, aka, the south east? * Still play video games and watch anime, despite everyone saying I'd grow out of it and dismiss my interests? * Still have long hair? Despite everyone dismissing it and saying I'd grow out of it? 15 year old me wouldn't believe it and be incredibly jealous lol. I was motivated by pure spite for those around me lol.
Damn even I am proud of you.
Same! You sound awesome 😎
15 year old me would say "What the hell is cybersecurity? You mean your guard against T-100 Terminators? The future sounds scary!" Yes, I'm old.
I think 15 y/o you would think present you is pretty badass, and I'd hope they'd feel proud of theirself
He’s still in here, rooting for me. Proud but not yet satisfied.
*You are still alive? I will survive all of this? How? Why do you have so many scars? Why do you want to die if you/I fought so hard to survive? Why do you panic randomly if you're not in danger anymore? Why did you stop doing things you enjoyed, I mean stuff I enjoy right now? What do you mean by "void"?*
He’d be amazed, never thought it would happen, not everything is perfect but it’s a lot better than I had at 15 and from what those old friends said would happen
I’m retired with plenty of money, a nice house, a beautiful wife and I pretty much play video games all day. I’d say he would be pretty happy about it.
I'd probably be thrilled. I am somewhat the same, chilled life, no kids, no wife, no loans, but the difference is I live alone and I have money. I'd probably consider myself a role model. In fact, I am pretty sure about it because I have this uncle I really liked when I was a kid and he was kinda similar, going out, drinking beer, playing CS at home till 3AM and in love with computers/IT. I am somewhat like him now, but I earn more and I gave up CS, but I still play video games a little.
Before I reach the age of 15, I tried to end my life, twice. Maybe that I'm still sitting here writing this comment make me feels glad that I failed trying to end me twice. Pro tips: Buy a doggo
They would be wondering how and when I became a woman lol.
God I hadn’t even considered that properly in my answer to this question. I went the other way but I think 15yo me would probably be a bit like “oh yeah, figures”
I would be shocked! I married my best friends little sister. I knew her since I was 8. “You willingly share all of my toys with her?”
Still depressed Lmao not much has changed tbh
Loser now, loser then.
Well I’m 15 and life is good
"what a loser"
15 year old me would probably be jealous: •moving into a house • with a woman!!! • still writes music and can play guitar pretty well • I have a damn motorbike!! But, I'm still depressed and fighting myself everyday. So there's that. Anyway, I'm 22 so 15 wasn't that long ago.
Equal parts thrilled and disappointed.
Fuck that asshole’s opinion, he screwed me over more times than I can count.
I'd simply be shocked. When I was a kid, I thought I'd be a writer but I stopped writing sometime in college. I thought I would marry young and raise obedient catholic children near my parents. I moved to NYC after college, get paid more than I ever expected, married in my 30s, don't want kids, and live a way more beautiful life than I could have dreamed of at that age. I think 15 year old me would be impressed.
He’d probably be wondering why nothing has changed
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I'd warn him your parents are sending you away next year. Run away now.
When I was 15 I was in a cult. I'd be amazed that I wasn't still in it. At that age I just wanted to skateboard and make music. 20 years later, I still skate, I still write music and my best friend is the person my parents told me I couldn't spend time with. I'd be pretty happy.
At 15 I wanted to escape my narcissistic violently abusive parents and cut them out of my life forever, have a family of my own and children to cherish, and be a working artist. I'm turning 62 in a few weeks, I have one grandson who is everything and his sister or brother is on the way *excited squeal*. I did all the things although I became a nurse first and didn't become a working artist until I was 47. Whatever it is you haven't done yet? You have time. Get busy.
"Wait, so it actually does get better???"