127Kviews
Twitter Users Share 3 Words They’d Say To Their 18 Y.O. Selves And Here Are 30 Of The Best Ones
It would probably be fair enough to assume that every single one of us sometimes dreams about traveling a few years (or a few decades) back in time. Some of us would like to go back and change a few things here and there, some would like to experience the best moments of their lives once again, and some, well, some people would simply love to go back to when life felt easier. The list goes on and on. Though despite the reasons behind it, the idea of time travel and being able to change your past itself is an interesting and tempting concept. But here's a thing—what if you could go back in time and meet a younger version of yourself? What would you like to do then?
Let's take a moment to explore this kind of scenario. Recently, Twitter user A_l_a_n__G shared a post asking others what are the 3 words they would tell their 18-year-old self through time travel.
Without further ado, Bored Panda invites you to look through some of the best responses.
This post may include affiliate links.
Many of the most popular responses included people advising their younger selves to buy Amazon, Apple, or Microsoft stocks. "I wanted to buy $4000 of Amazon stock very early on. Husband said I was nuts and badgered me, so I didn't. Instead, we put it with the money we had saved for the down payment on a bigger house. Still kicking myself. I knew I was smarter than him," someone commented. "Imagine your future self says 'invest in Apple.' But you don’t know that is. So you pour money into orchards and become the biggest apple (small “a”) magnate in the world," another user added.
Also, apparently, many people would advise themselves to marry or not to marry a certain person. For instance, one user shared that their 3 words would be "marry that girl." Someone commented on this tweet by saying this: "Can you find her? Is she legally available? At 77, my uncle found his high school sweetheart on FB. Both sides had spouses dead over 5 years. They are having the BEST time! SO happy! Live 1000 miles apart, so airplane and visit. Look her up!!!"
One user shared that they'd rather say nothing and give their younger self a hug instead. "I’d give her a big hug because she wasn’t getting many at home and she’d been through a lot of crap in those short 18 years," the user wrote. "Never too late to be kind to yourself. I hope there are many warm, safe hugs in your life now," another user replied.
Never wanted kids, never had kids, never regretted it. It's not for everyone. And your life can be just as full without them.
I think its completely possible to love your children with all your heart but still wish you didn't have them.
Load More Replies...
Remember that is this comment is not about you and you proclaiming your love of parenthood. So don't judge her. She probably agrees that she is not the best mom in the world but she found out too late in life. I think her honestly, to herself and in this comment, is brave.
How is this even a conversation? If she had kids at all, then this is a messed up thing to say. Even if she's acknowledging her weakness, she's doing this by saying that her children, human beings who exist in this world, should have never been born. There's nothing brave or commendable in that, it's messed up and shamefully self-centered. ...none of which is surprising when you look at her "I live on a diet of lemons and unripe prunes" face.
Load More Replies...
i took my own advise on that one and didn't have kids. still good with that choice.
One of the "advances" I've been glad to see: it's no longer socially negative for a young girl - or a young couple - to decide they don't want to have children. When I was young, to make such a statement would have brought your world down on you: parents, grandparents, even your doctor.
I agree... except, as an unmarried woman in my late 30s, I am amazed at how many people talk about me having kids.
Load More Replies...
That is the whole point. She agrees. But found out too late in life.
Load More Replies... 
None of us knows why she says this. It may have turned out that she carries a gene which makes her children die after a short and painful childhood. Maybe her children joined a gang and were killed or became murderers. Why take for granted that she is either a bad mom or a nasty person? We all have this idea of The Perfect Happy Family in our heads - and you know what, life doesn't come giftwrapped and perfect to a lot of people around us.
How does everyone know she has children? All she said is "don't have children". Maybe she witnessed someone else's bad experience.
I feel that it is implied. Why would you go back in time to tell yourself that if you already don't have kids?
Load More Replies...
This one is really sad... unless she put them up for adoption, otherwise what if their kids saw?
If her kids caused her emotional pain to the point that she wishes she didn't have them, they're probably horrible people who don't give a crap what their mother says here.
Load More Replies...
Say that you wished not to have children does not make you a bad mother. It's a case of " if I knew what I know today".
I didn't and don't regret it one bit. I was able to parent my step kids and they turned out great!
It's sad to me that someone would feel so bad about having their children.
I wanted a hysterectomy at 18 due to both pain and the desire to not have children. At 44 and three kids later I finally had it best thing I ever did. And one of the three kids is alright...
I feel horrible for her children. Imagine your mom announcing on Twitter that she wishes you weren’t alive. This is terrible.
Agreed. A truly nasty thing to say that could damage the relationship.
Load More Replies...
Wow this is really bitter... for her if she really feels having children has ruined her life... and for the children that are not wanted. :(
don't = one word, the contraction of 'do' and 'not'. Don't have children = 3 words, not 4.
Load More Replies...
Colin Klamper, I trued to upvote your comment but it shows a negative.
Load More Replies...
Good advice. I thought putting others first... being taken advantage of... one day someone would do the same for me. Obviously I’m no where near perfect and made plenty of mistakes... but it turns out i should have lived my life the way i wanted to and not let ANYONE get in my way, because no one else gives a s**t. There’s a lot more to unpack on that general statement... but she’s right about ‘like yourself first’ in soo many ways.
The original post by A_l_a_n__G has since gone viral and it currently has over 20k likes, almost 18k quote tweets, and over 2.5k retweets. What would your response be after hearing this question? Let us know down in the comments!
I would say the same thing. And if 4 words were allowed i would ad a"now"
I know I could have used this advice in my 20's. I know it now, 30 years later.
I remember chatting with my brother who was into tech. He was saying that Apple stock was very, very cheap. He said they were about to introduce a new product that would store and play digital music. The iPod. He said if it took off, which it might, it would go big. If it failed, it would probably be the end of Apple. He said if I had a grand to invest, it would be a good gamble. Neither of us had a grand we thought we could risk at the time...
Note: this post originally had 54 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.
Good question, A Dumbo Octopus. Plenty to think about. I measure my “Am I better” each birthday and sometimes I am, sometimes there are improvement goals set. The next question is have I met my new goals. This way there’s some kind of evolution that makes me feel good in my soul. So, keep asking and make intentional changes. Bon chance!
Load More Replies...
Mine wouldn't be nearly as profound. It would be "don't take depo-provera". My body responded so poorly to it. And I never felt quite "right" again.
Sorry that happened to you. You never know though, your body might have undergone changes that left it feeling different anyway... certainly the case for me. Didn't take anything and still ⤵ (meant to indicate plummeting health!). 😬 All you can ever do is make the choice that seems the best at the time.
Load More Replies...
I wish I could have told myself to stay in my career and not have a kid so younge... I love my son but I had dreams I set aside to be a mom...now I'm 30 and I feel like a failure even as a parent.
Not a failure. Love yourself more. Hug your boy. Read about parenting. Raise independent son. Return to school. Never too late. Think positive now!
Load More Replies...
most of these were political, who to invest in, or relationship based so I'm a little disappointed...
*Point at younger self* Depression Anxiety ADD If I could have gotten help before my mid twenties (and mid 30s for add) things would have been a little easier
I'd have to make two trips: "Don't marry him!" and "More college effort." ( I should have worked harder in college. Would have made a difference in my life.)
Move out ... and tell mom and dad to take better care of themselves.
Not 18 yet, but advice for my younger self, "Dont Date Jackson." It messed me up ;-; Others could be "Give Jazzy (Late dog) love", "Dad is lying", Learn to focus", "Its not your fault". Damn im f****d up o-o
“Thou shalt not covid thy neighbour’s life. Wear a mask.” @ArhomR, Thank you!!!
Care for yourself. Type 1 diabetic for 25 years (diagnosed at 22), if my 18 year old could have known what was coming I'd have had a 7 year headstart and maybe wouldn't have spent 17 years with rollercoaster blood sugars, in and out of the hospital to ultimately end up with kidney disease and needing a transplant.
I'm 13, not older than 18...but if I could time travel to my 7 year old self I'd say "don't buy that"...
Good question, A Dumbo Octopus. Plenty to think about. I measure my “Am I better” each birthday and sometimes I am, sometimes there are improvement goals set. The next question is have I met my new goals. This way there’s some kind of evolution that makes me feel good in my soul. So, keep asking and make intentional changes. Bon chance!
Load More Replies... Mine wouldn't be nearly as profound. It would be "don't take depo-provera". My body responded so poorly to it. And I never felt quite "right" again.
Sorry that happened to you. You never know though, your body might have undergone changes that left it feeling different anyway... certainly the case for me. Didn't take anything and still ⤵ (meant to indicate plummeting health!). 😬 All you can ever do is make the choice that seems the best at the time.
Load More Replies... I wish I could have told myself to stay in my career and not have a kid so younge... I love my son but I had dreams I set aside to be a mom...now I'm 30 and I feel like a failure even as a parent.
Not a failure. Love yourself more. Hug your boy. Read about parenting. Raise independent son. Return to school. Never too late. Think positive now!
Load More Replies... most of these were political, who to invest in, or relationship based so I'm a little disappointed...
*Point at younger self* Depression Anxiety ADD If I could have gotten help before my mid twenties (and mid 30s for add) things would have been a little easier
I'd have to make two trips: "Don't marry him!" and "More college effort." ( I should have worked harder in college. Would have made a difference in my life.)
Move out ... and tell mom and dad to take better care of themselves.
Not 18 yet, but advice for my younger self, "Dont Date Jackson." It messed me up ;-; Others could be "Give Jazzy (Late dog) love", "Dad is lying", Learn to focus", "Its not your fault". Damn im f****d up o-o
“Thou shalt not covid thy neighbour’s life. Wear a mask.” @ArhomR, Thank you!!!
Care for yourself. Type 1 diabetic for 25 years (diagnosed at 22), if my 18 year old could have known what was coming I'd have had a 7 year headstart and maybe wouldn't have spent 17 years with rollercoaster blood sugars, in and out of the hospital to ultimately end up with kidney disease and needing a transplant.
I'm 13, not older than 18...but if I could time travel to my 7 year old self I'd say "don't buy that"...
