Dear Me,

My boys are getting to the age where they have to make important decisions about their lives...which university, which course, what path? What kind of a person do they want to be? It's an exciting but stressful time and I remember it well. When I was sixteen I desperately wanted to be a nurse, but was told by my careers teacher that I was too short and that 'short people never get anywhere in life' (no word of a lie). So I decided to train to be a teacher instead. But my head teacher told me, 'We think you should do this course-' *hands me a pamphlet for a fancy new degree called Media Studies*. Back then I did what I was told. So I did that degree and worked for a year in a corporate environment but wasn't happy. THEN I took my career into my own hands, applied and was accepted to train as a nurse (short people can do stuff after all!!) It seems I was easily persuaded and eager to please everyone else instead of choosing my own path from the get go.

Louisa at 16

So I was thinking about my boys and what would be the best advice to give them? What would I (at the ripe old age of *mumble mumble*) have told me all those years ago?  Then I came across this  book called Dear Me which features letters from celebrities to their 16 year old selves. It also has letters from Joe Public and makes interesting reading. There are lots of 'trust yourself' and 'don't settle for...,' 'you are beautiful, believe it...' and there are some truly heartbreaking ones too, counterbalanced with silly and fun and honest and loving. I did wonder whether it's a good idea to look back- but actually, I think it is, because we can see all the mistakes we've made, all the growing we've done, all the wise things we've learnt and realise how much we've faced and survived...

So here's my attempt:

Dear Louisa

Sixteen feels so mature right now, but, trust me- life is just beginning for you. You will have some challenges, some things will rock you completely, some things will knock your confidence...but you have the strength and resilience to overcome them and come out the other side a better person. You will also have some amazing, wonderful, happy experiences and have a life filled with love - you just have to let it in.

Trust your intuition and your instincts. Don't let anyone tell you that you can't achieve your dreams. Because you can. And you do. You just have to work hard. Stick to your guns! You'll save a lot of heartache that way. But let yourself make some mistakes, we all do. That's how we learn.

Cherish your girlfriends, because they will hold your hand and lift you up, they will be by your side. Give them that love right back and don't get sucked in to the bitchy gossip thing. STOP SMOKING! NOW!!! Never ever wear your hair without a fringe. Ever. Go on that trip to Ireland with the students union- if you don't you'll regret it for a long time. Eat. Enjoy it. Love your body at every stage of your life and don't keep looking back to when you were thinner, younger...you are pretty damned okay whatever size you are. Spend more time with your mum creating memories and write down Nana's story now, even though it seems boring to you at 16 you'll regret not writing it down when you're older. And when you go on holiday to celebrate the end of your exams (I won't spoil the surprise of where and with who)- it's probably not such a great idea to dance on that table. Just saying...

Don't fret about finding The One. He's out there and when you meet him, you'll just know. Trust me on this.

Finally, stop worrying about everything. It doesn't help, it wastes time and stops you enjoying the good stuff.

Louisa xx
p.s. There's this company called apple, (funny name, I know) they make 'computers'...as soon as you see shares going on sale, buy lots!

So, what piece of advice would you give a 16 year old these days, or what would you tell your 16 year old self if you could? I'd love to hear your thoughts xxx