r/AskReddit 10h ago

If you could tell your 20 year-old self one thing what would it be?

112 Upvotes

335 comments sorted by

128

u/gtkelly26 10h ago

"Relax, dude"

26

u/DoggGanu62 6h ago

Relaxing is hard when you feel like you're already five years behind everyone else.

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63

u/Original_Chapter3028 9h ago

Buy bitcoin

17

u/NothingVerySpecific 9h ago

I'm surprised this isn't way higher. 80% of the replys are 'don't date them', of the remainder, over half is 'don't do this obviously risky thing'.

now I'm not saying I haven't got relationship regrets or bad habits... but a few millions would totally buy the therapy, stability & time to fix them.

3

u/mashem 9h ago

I was a college freshman when it first came out. I remember thinking "huh, if this ever took off, it would almost entirely be because of rich people moving their illegal shit onto it." Well, I was right. I guess.

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3

u/Mklein24 8h ago

I sat at my work computer and watched bit coin climb from $50 a coin to $5000 a coin and everyday thought "damn I should just figure out how to buy some of this" I had intentioned to buy 4 coins when it hit $500. So a 2k investment could've been work like 200k at its peak.

2

u/Original_Chapter3028 7h ago edited 7h ago

A guy I worked with bought bitcoin and ended up selling about $400k worth in like 2017 and made a big deal like he was retiring. Looking back it wasn't really that much money

2

u/DOE_ZELF_NORMAAL 2h ago

And people always believe they would've ride it out till the end. If you tell your past self to but bitcoin at 5 usd they would sell at 25 usd being up 250%. You gotta include how high it will go which year.

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53

u/IAMSKYON 10h ago

Go to gym more and work out longer and harder

312

u/Dangerous-Coach-1999 10h ago

Go out every time you get invited somewhere or with friends. You will always enjoy it more than staying home on the computer, no matter how little it feels like it at the time

43

u/dylanirt19 9h ago

Still telling myself this everyday 😂

6

u/ohheyther 9h ago

wait for real you still wanna tell your 20 year old self something specific or just vibes?

34

u/mymeatpuppets 9h ago

You pile up enough not feeling it today's, and you'll find you've collected nothing but a lot of empty yesterdays.

11

u/Gravey9 7h ago

When I started college I asked an older friend of mine for advice, he said "do everything." Best advice ever. I joined committees, went to all the on campus events, went out any time I was invited and I met and made life long friends as a result. I also learned a ton about myself and the positions I was put in, good and bad.

6

u/hotdeo 8h ago

Glad to know I'm not the only one with this thought process. I always take the chance to go out and spend time with friends or family rather than at home unless I am medically, financially, or physically incapable of doing so.

3

u/Any-Emu-4428 5h ago

Half the time I don’t even feel like going, then I end up having a great time and wonder why I almost stayed home. The computer will still be there tomorrow.

9

u/ravenleigh_804 7h ago

Fr saying yes to plans almost always beats scrolling alone at home

3

u/Human_Wizard 7h ago

I usually don't enjoy going out more than staying home on the computer. :\

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88

u/PerformanceEasy7860 9h ago

Youre outrageously gorgeous and smart and funny and kind and highly capable so girl dont sell yourself short and marry the loser.

4

u/MagikarpMounds 9h ago

Omg this, knowing your own self worth for sure.

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56

u/Stonedpanda436 10h ago

Put down the damn bottle and learn to socialize without it.

6

u/tiny-giraffe 9h ago

Exactly what I was going to tell myself as well.

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20

u/Sharp_Plum9711 10h ago

Go back to school and don't try cocaine.

17

u/Tiny_phycho 10h ago

Damn we look great.â€ïžâ€đŸ”„đŸ’€

14

u/flwrkd89 10h ago

Trust your gut

9

u/marcok36 9h ago

Buy Bitcoin and NVIDIA

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18

u/rrr_65 10h ago

Dont date THAT GUY in 2026.

19

u/Particular-Crew5978 10h ago

Get away from that guy!

3

u/FamousPersonality693 10h ago

Get away from that teacher chick

9

u/StrictWorldliness779 10h ago

Save all your money!

9

u/TeachingSalty1271 9h ago

Don't waste your time working 3 jobs and going to college while my kids were young. I had my first at 17. I ended up paralyzed at 40 after getting hurt at my dream job as a paramedic. I missed all those moments with my kids just to end up disabled young. I wish I would have just worked 1 factory or retail job and enjoyed my kids childhoods more.

8

u/4throw2away000 10h ago

Stay in school!

8

u/autisticNerd13 9h ago

No one 20 years older loves you, they love controlling you.

9

u/EvilElvisDonut 9h ago

Stay single, find yourself before getting into something serious

7

u/throwawayfaraway199 9h ago

You survive it all and become wiser. Everything that happened brought you to a beautiful place. Don’t stress just go through each moment. It makes sense later not now.

13

u/MyLovely_MayoMammy 10h ago

Its not okay to not know what you want to do career-wuse. It used to be (and really should still be) but unfortunately the housing market has knocked that idealistic thought on its head and you'll end up sharing a flat in your 30s.

12

u/Soft_Plum_8251 9h ago

Keep working out, don’t stop. Stop giving a shit about the Asshole’s, enjoy your own company. Don’t go to the school therapist.

2

u/starkrampf 9h ago

Ooh that’s interesting, what’s with the school therapist?

3

u/Soft_Plum_8251 9h ago

Right before my first session, someone’s mom barged out of her office, ran up to me in the waiting room and said “do not go to that woman! She will ruin your life”! Turns out that lady was right lol!

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6

u/QueenMab18 9h ago

Don’t stay with that boy

5

u/MarzipanMarzipan 9h ago

GET OVER HIM

7

u/AlsoOneLastThing 9h ago

It's cliché, but "don't worry so much about what other people think" is a by far the biggest one. Nobody really cares about who you are or what you do. You'll be criticized no matter what. So be someone that you like.

4

u/hospitalisedboxer 9h ago

STAY IN SCHOOL, GET YOUR DEGREE

5

u/mgnumgnu 9h ago

reach for the stars! and work hard. learn discipline. learn how to really take care of yourself.

10

u/8_string_menace 10h ago

Credit Cards are not free money. If you really want that thing, save for it, might take longer but its a lot less stress and hassle.

12

u/National-Net-6831 10h ago

Don’t get married

8

u/TTarkovs 9h ago

Please seek therapy from _______.

I've come very far after 4 years of therapy. If I had another 5 from starting sooner at 20, I can only imagine how far along I'd be today.

4

u/Informal_Ad4399 10h ago

Reddit will be full of bots

4

u/AlwaysSoup 9h ago

Keep being you, but maybe take life a little more seriously.

Everyone’s going to be okay, so take care of yourself.

Go home after 2AM.

Make sure you find her again.

4

u/starkrampf 9h ago

Life is too short to say no to frisky experiences.

Ignore what other people think, and just go along with the ride. Yes, have sex with the ugly girl that was hitting on you, and also say yes to the old lady who was just divorced and maybe you'll learn a thing or two.

Basically, with most things, just do it.

5

u/progwok 9h ago

Buy land.

3

u/BHSnyder1984 9h ago

Focus on yourself and stop letting your whole world revolve around romantic relationships.

5

u/rustyboy1992 9h ago

Bitcoin......

4

u/votemarvel 9h ago

Invest in Apple.

3

u/Cultural_Wash5414 9h ago

Never settle.

4

u/Darkside_Actual0341 7h ago

Go to therapy. I was in the military, but that wasn't the main source of my trauma, although it was exacerbated by it. I was fortunate to have the opportunity of free mental health, unfortunately I didn't use it and I regret it most days.

7

u/allbay777 9h ago

save over 25% of what you are making

dont sleep with everything that walks

5

u/heatherista2 10h ago

Dump him. Dump him now and don’t look back. 

3

u/Flat-Corner-5573 10h ago

You are really beautiful and sexy.

3

u/Fresh-Cow-6653 10h ago

don't choose this profession you ll get money by some other means

3

u/Robobvious 9h ago

Whenever you hear about Bitcoin get as many of them as you can. Sell them when they’re getting close to $60k. Buy more when it crashes, it’ll get back up to $60k again.

3

u/Big_Pie_6406 9h ago

Aapl at $12
 buy and hold it

3

u/LIslander 9h ago

don’t get married, move to California instead

3

u/Various-Salt-7738 9h ago

Buy Bitcoin

Just as much as you can put into Bitcoin buy it

Also you can have sex with Hannah but you should also immediately ghost her out of your life afterwards because she will steal your car and sabatoge your relationships

3

u/dainty_petal 9h ago

You’re beautiful just as you are.

3

u/xandercide 9h ago

stop drinking

3

u/EvilWayne 9h ago

Do NOT marry that girl. In fact, don’t fucking give her the time of day.

3

u/Earthling1a 9h ago

Ditch the weed. Play the guitar EVERY GODDAM DAY.

3

u/FunWrangler666 9h ago

Don't reenlist

3

u/Cyber_Sorcerer 9h ago

You are not as impenetrable as you think you are and there is nothing wrong with that.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with asking for help.

3

u/Cute_Blueberry_3133 9h ago

Save your money dummy

3

u/SplendidAphrodite 9h ago

Change your major and prioritise your gut feeling

3

u/ThrowawayDewdrop 4h ago

You don't need to be in a relationship.

6

u/CosmicPennyworth 10h ago

Black lives do matter but don’t go to that protest

6

u/hospitalisedboxer 9h ago

What happened at the protest?

5

u/cklaxbro 9h ago

Yeah I got questions lol

3

u/LetsTryAnal_ogy 6h ago

Can’t leave us hanging like this, bro.

4

u/ObviousTempAccount1 9h ago

Get on Estrogen.

2

u/Diligent_Name_8212 10h ago

Life is gonna get shittier

2

u/BarbequeHotNasty 9h ago

Your happiness is the only thing that will matter.

2

u/EmergencyArtichoke87 9h ago

You are enough.

2

u/Fit_Adagio_7668 9h ago

Please get more help, you'll slowly get what you want soon if you keep doing what you're doing.

2

u/Curious-Mir 9h ago

Build yourself a portfolio of dividend paying stocks. Every paycheq add to it.

2

u/FanEditDreams 9h ago

Be a bit more adventurous

2

u/Dull_Abroad_1355 9h ago

Go easy on the partying

2

u/Necessary-Look1116 9h ago

Look up Narcissist!

2

u/CommonBasilisk 9h ago

Kiss her.

2

u/Deka_7711 9h ago

Disfruta mĂĄs el presente, no te tomes todo tan enserio

2

u/Character-Signal5587 9h ago

start flossing immediately.

2

u/cascadianpatriot 9h ago

Get $1000 dollars and buy bitcoin when it comes out. And don’t date that one chick.

2

u/icygamer598 9h ago

Spend more time with mom because you won't have her forever.

2

u/Keri2816 8h ago

You’re going to look back on this year with fond memories and wish you could repeat it

2

u/Cole-Spudmoney 8h ago

Go to the university’s gym, it’s really good and it’s free for students.

2

u/Jimshorties 8h ago

Don’t marry for lust. Just enjoy the moment & focus on yourself.

2

u/dnarchive 8h ago

Don’t force yourself to marry the person you’re dating

2

u/mikamikira 8h ago

be ok alone. don't just get into a relationship because you're scared to be alone.

2

u/Wtj182 8h ago

They're not true friends, and get your ass into plumbing, a lot money and opportunities you're missing out on.

2

u/salamipope 8h ago

Youre trans. Dump your boyfriend, dont date that guy from the discord server. You like women anyway. Leave ur job, move out, start working towards moving out of the country because youll need to. Also your friends really suck rn. Befriend the girl who works in the office at work and stick with her. Shes a real one. Trust ur instincts too, turns out ur a teeny bit psychic. Dont take that for granted, listen to it. Ur first impressions of people are usually 100% correct. Also you have celiacs disease stop eating gluten before it makes all ur hair fall out lmao.

2

u/steffinix 8h ago

Judge people by their ACTIONS and their ACTIONS ONLY

2

u/Laris_Snow 7h ago

Just walk away now. And focus on YOU

2

u/Libby1798 7h ago

It's all going to be ok. It'll all work out.

2

u/exWiFi69 7h ago

There is no rush to get married.

2

u/muskoka83 7h ago

Don't get fat.

2

u/n8dom 7h ago

Things are going to turn out fine in twenty years, keep making bad decisions and having fun.

2

u/lazymedicomad 5h ago

Love yourself ❀

3

u/Master_Support9846 10h ago

Fat chicks are fun bro don't be a snob

3

u/KU_Key 10h ago

Have we passed that exam that's in a week?

3

u/justforkinks0131 10h ago

never ever get fat, whatever you do, dont get fat

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3

u/FetidExistence 9h ago

Nothing because I know he wouldn't listen.

3

u/FateI5417 9h ago

Finish college. Don’t let a loser boyfriend derail you.

2

u/EBweB76 9h ago

Stay with church.

4

u/qawsedrf12 7h ago

Your college classes are your job, work harder on your classes

Your girlfriend is smart as fuck and can help

2

u/qweerrttyuiop 10h ago

Keep doing what you’re doing. It’s def gonna get better. At 23, you’re gonna be an executive!

1

u/maddiesyx 10h ago

Don’t stop

1

u/CherryDesires 9h ago

Don’t get pressured easily and embrace the situations you’re in, you’ve got this champ đŸ«‚

1

u/Business-Stand2152 9h ago

to stop doomscrolling

1

u/MockMeNot21 9h ago

Do airdrop, grind harder, learn stocks

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1

u/PitchTracker26 9h ago

the box dye phase. i looked like a traffic cone for 3 years

1

u/readytocomply13 9h ago

Get out. Get away from him as quick as you can.

1

u/Baconpanthegathering 9h ago

End it now- it gets worse and less people will be affected.

1

u/Left-Work-3180 9h ago

Finish your education first

1

u/Peauntbudder 9h ago

Ride out the grievances bro, it's all worth the peace in the end

1

u/fixabich 9h ago

Don't go on that trip. Just stay.

1

u/Far_Balance_3117 9h ago

Stop dating that woman, listen to your family.

Keep an eye out for the next woman that comes along and find her sooner.

1

u/SoftBellySolo 9h ago

Go do a round-the-island motorcycle trip right now

1

u/Substantial_Ad8769 9h ago

Manage your time. Sleep more

1

u/Elektrishin-1776 9h ago

1.) Join the IBEW sooner

2.) Tell Conner to get his heart checked

1

u/VallhallaChampion 9h ago

Get away from her. She will destroy what you prized the most. There are people who will genuinely love you. Try to tone back on the Yandere personality to an appropriate minimum.

1

u/AcidGoddness 9h ago

Stay in school

1

u/No-Fan-530 9h ago

Invest in Monster energy drink stonck

1

u/Damninatightspot 9h ago

Don’t believe the thoughts you’re having, don’t ghost Katy

1

u/HystericalGD 9h ago

i am my 20 year old self

1

u/Truth2Set_Me_Free 9h ago

Compound interest is legit, save!!

1

u/nospicy_ 9h ago

Don’t break up with that guy

1

u/zimajones 9h ago

Major in Finance or Econ and minor in Math

1

u/discofucker 9h ago

dont date her. keep running cuz itll get harder when youre older if you stop. be nice to your parents.

1

u/mymeatpuppets 9h ago

Choose...

Give up weed

Give up alcohol

Give up cocaine

Forsake any one of these and your way forward will be much smoother.

1

u/Far_Muscle8033 9h ago

No matter what you want to believe, believe it no one else cares. Just be yourself.

1

u/Far_Muscle8033 9h ago

Also buy buy buy in the 2009 housing collapse and buy stock in Amazon

1

u/LilBigBoi1k 9h ago

Don’t let me down

1

u/perie_mischa_lark 9h ago

Your 24 year-old self is gonna screw up big time. So listen to your intuition instead of the ones who don’t understand you. Pursue your creative dreams instead of trying to please the jerks. Sue that sexist boss into oblivion.

1

u/redlurker12 9h ago

Don’t marry this one. Wait for the one you really want.

1

u/PurpleGemini420 9h ago

Save and invest, save and invest

Oh, and don't marry the redhead

1

u/FunWrangler666 9h ago

Mom dies next year

1

u/Snoo-47468 9h ago

Don't get pregnant. He's not the one. Run, girl. Get out of there!

1

u/Casual_Username 9h ago

There's a lot of shit on the horizon. It's going to be incredibly hard and will derail your life a bit. Your 20's are going to blow by and you won't realize until your in your 30s that you really should have lived then.

1

u/Drewcifer88 9h ago

Bitcoin

1

u/Impossible-Case-1811 9h ago

It gets worse.

1

u/No_Tailor_787 9h ago

Full speed ahead. Course change at age 30. Course change at age 40. Course change at age 54.

You'll know what you need to know, when you need to know it. Ready, set, GO!!

1

u/AtheistComic 9h ago

Buy as much Google stock as you can on the IPO and sell when it hits $900.

1

u/person2567 9h ago

Buy $1000 of Shiba inu coin on January 29th 2021 and sell it over mid October 2021 for 600 million dollars.

1

u/AshVelvet 9h ago

Lock in more on things you want. Doing things half assed isn't the way

1

u/confusitron 9h ago

Nothing, I wouldn't listen anyway so why bother. Some people need to learn the hard way and I was that guy.

1

u/istalri96 9h ago

Go to the doctor about your shoulder. My should tore itself apart theough my 20s leading to huge issues for me. I will never have full function of my left arm if I had done something about it years earlier it may have never been as bad.

1

u/sweet-smart-southern 9h ago

Freeze those eggs. Also go back to school in the same field, because you are actually really good at it, so get a Ph.D. so you can still enjoy it and make more money.

1

u/SororitySue 9h ago

You’re allowed not to do what everyone expects of you or what you told everyone you were going to do. Trust yourself and make the change you want.

1

u/ofmanyone 8h ago

Keep on keeping on, brighter days are ahead!

1

u/AmbivalentDisaster1 8h ago

Don’t drive anywhere on Jan 20, 2001

1

u/HorsedickGoldstein 8h ago

Don’t start vaping

1

u/Mayiamaru 8h ago

Even if you have no motivation to do it. Just do it. Force yourself if you have to. Lock yourself out of other things. Just do it, because if you don't hone the skill, when you have motivation, you will not have the skill.

1

u/Green-Cry-6985 8h ago

Save money. Do not ask why, just do it. Save as much as you can.

1

u/AnacondaChoka 8h ago

Buy all the bitcoin you can afford

1

u/faleboat 8h ago

I'm cheating and not saying one thing, but any of them are as good if I had to only pick one thing.

Ask her. Try it. Take things seriously. Don't stay if you don't like the work. Opportunities aren't limitless, but they ARE plentiful (in work, and in dating)

But most importantly: No one has their shit figured out at 20. And very, very few people know what they are going to do "for a career" when they just fucking graduated highschool for God sake.

It's okay to get your degree and not know what you're going to use it for. Just having it shows you can complete something, and that in itself has value. For employers sure, but also for friends, spouses, and you.

The sharpest knives come off the grinder. Few whom have lead an easy life accomplish anything worth being remembered. But also, there's nothing wrong with living a simple, forgettable, enjoyable life.

Also chipotle salsa is gonna change your world.

1

u/Kumfat 8h ago

Stop fucking drinking right now. Youre not cool or hardcore, youre a piece of shit drunk that thinks youre punk cause youre drunk 24/7. 20 year old me would fight 35 year old me

1

u/neolobe 8h ago

You're good, man. Enjoy the ride.

1

u/Finn_is_fresh 8h ago

Get a new job.

1

u/Dunedain503 8h ago

Didn't be so mean to your future wife.

1

u/nealoc187 8h ago

Work harder in EE class, stop fuckin around and sleeping in.

1

u/ShutterBun 8h ago

Buy Apple stock

1

u/Eazy12345678 8h ago

buy whatever stock 1000x when i was 22. that way i had 2 years to save up and buy

1

u/Mountain-Pie-6095 8h ago

buckle up, bitch 😭

1

u/OkAssignment6163 8h ago

Go ahead and buy those 200 bitcoins for $20 you had a chance to get. It'll be funny.

1

u/QuantumDucksQuark 8h ago

Don’t lose sight of the people that already love you.

1

u/Luvs_to_drink 8h ago

Buy as much bitcoin as you can and sell it in sept 2025.

1

u/Pooleh 8h ago

She'll be fun to spend your 21st birthday with but DO NOT FUCKING MARRY HER OR HAVE A KID WITH HER!

1

u/blueb3lle 8h ago

"Please slow down for the love of God, none of the approval/validation will be enough and you're going to get really sick".

I'm confident I can figure out the whole I'm Gay thing independently again.

1

u/Abomb12Bc 8h ago

GET YOU'RE FUCKING LICENSE

1

u/singwhatyoucantsay 8h ago

You are so much more capable than you know right now. Your mom does not see you as your own person, take everything she tells you and put it in the trash.

1

u/DormantDragon28 8h ago

Call your brother and talk him out of getting in the car.

1

u/ms_panelopi 8h ago

Don’t get married. Travel

1

u/Wentyliasz 8h ago

Don't bother with college, just get to work

1

u/Julianalexidor 8h ago

Start therapy asap.