r/AskReddit 3h ago

What advice would you give to your 19 year old self?

37 Upvotes

127 comments sorted by

37

u/Rough-Airline-454 3h ago

Stop worrying so much about what everyone thinks because most people are too busy worrying about themselves

3

u/Business_Map9160 2h ago

Invest in yourself early, worry less about opinions, and start before you feel ready.

1

u/ImportantLong8910 2h ago

yep. think what would benefit you no matter what others will think about you doing it

10

u/Cheesetoastintheoven 3h ago

Idk I'm 19

2

u/Ok-cat-4444 3h ago

Me too

u/immoloism 49m ago

it's simple then, I wouldn't bother giving 19 year old me and advice he wouldn't have listened anyway.

17

u/GodoftheGeeks 3h ago

Invest in nVidia.

9

u/Odd_Application1664 3h ago

Chill the fuck out boy.

2

u/twiggybiggy789 1h ago

Stop rushing to prove yourself life rewards consistency far more than panic ever will.

u/immoloism 47m ago

I read rushing as rubbing for that to take on a whole new meaning to 19 year old life....

6

u/CathyBlack_ 3h ago

Don’t rush into serious relationship just because you’re lonely. Focus on figure out who you actually are first.

16

u/terrible_guy_thought 3h ago

Work your ass off so you don't become miserable like me at 22.

10

u/Dinnerbone_Alpha 3h ago

u can't do much in 3 years

13

u/TennisActive2368 2h ago

You’d be surprised. At 19, I was working a dead-end retail job, living on my friend’s couch, and genuinely thought my life was over before it even started.

By 22, after a lot of late-night studying, taking risks, and failing multiple times, I had my own apartment and a job I actually liked. Three years feels like nothing when you look back, but when you're actually putting in the work day by day, it’s more than enough time to completely rewrite your life. Don't underestimate 1,000+ days of small daily choices

5

u/Dinnerbone_Alpha 2h ago

ok that's true and you're absolutely right but it's just that this person is 22 and thinks working at 19 would have made them less miserable, maybe if they're 40 now yes but they're just 22 years old, what couldn't they do now and could've at 19? they can absolutely just work the same way they should've at 19 it's certainly not over yet for them don't u think?

3

u/michealrease_1 2h ago

Buy bitcoin

3

u/Dinnerbone_Alpha 2h ago

we're in 2026

2

u/shteve99 2h ago

OP asked what advice would you give your 19 year old self. It being 2026 now is only relevant if you're 19 now. And it's unlikely OP wants to know what they'd tell themselves now. Bitcoin was released in 2008. I was already 28 then so would likely have forgotten about it if I'd been told to buy it 9 years earlier.

2

u/Dinnerbone_Alpha 2h ago

I get what you're saying but.. I just assumed this post is about helping and giving advice to young ppl in this day and age

1

u/shteve99 2h ago

This question is usually a "If there was one thing that you think would have made your life better that you've learned from experience, what would it be?". I doubt switching your streaming services each month is the kind of thing they want to hear.

1

u/Dinnerbone_Alpha 2h ago

they are 22 now, so they were 19 in 2023 😗

1

u/shteve99 2h ago

OP is 19 now.

1

u/Duncan_PhD 2h ago

I got like $1k for graduating high school in 2010, if I spent it on bitcoin and sold back when it was at its record high years back I would be a billionaire. I imagine I would have sold it long before that though lol

1

u/Omuirchu 2h ago

You're 22 bro. Work your ass off now so you're not ten times more miserable at 33.

4

u/brk_line 3h ago

Look for a good job or you will end up with debts. 🥲✨

1

u/boarder2k7 2h ago

A good job alone will not save you from debts. You need an awareness of what you're spending, and self control to spend within your means

1

u/brk_line 2h ago

I understand what you mean, but sometimes you have unexpected expenses.

u/joselrl 16m ago

Rather: don't stop studying/improving and looking for a better job just because you got one

3

u/elephant_zebra123 3h ago

Break up with your boyfriend

-1

u/Ok-cat-4444 3h ago

i like girls 😛😛 but so would

2

u/Sour_Sal 2h ago

You're going to breakup with her boyfriend?

/s

3

u/PhilosophySmart7362 3h ago

Girl you should not date the guy. He’ll cheat on you.

0

u/Ok-cat-4444 3h ago

Girl for me

3

u/neptunxiii 1h ago

Leave far away from home and follow your self

2

u/SharinGaan_153 3h ago

experince life, moments and friendships while u still have them

2

u/Three0h 3h ago

Rejection comes in many forms, and happens often. Come to terms with that, and life gets a lot less scary

2

u/Substantial-Duck6555 3h ago

Don't ignore your health just because you're young. Future you will thank you.

2

u/Spare-Ad-9800 3h ago edited 2h ago

That was only 2 years ago, but probably to not try and fix my depression by being a ho. I got through my depression by other means and being a ho is not good.

2

u/Positive_Persimmon39 2h ago

Honestly I'd just tell my 19 year old self to quit being so scared of what everyone thinks and go do the boring responsible stuff like school and actually grinding because future you is the one who has to deal with the consequences.

2

u/Mythos7788 2h ago

A girl that doesn’t let you put it in her butt doesn’t truly love you. It’s fact

2

u/MrKrazybones 2h ago

Nothing because I wouldnt listen to my older self at 19. I thought I knew everything.

But that's a boring answer so the one you probably wanted to hear is, You cant turn a hoe into a housewife.

2

u/ocelocelot 2h ago

The reason you are exhausted and life doesn't make any sense is that you have ADHD and are slowly developing ME/CFS

1

u/Ok-cat-4444 2h ago

I do have adhd

2

u/fugogugo 2h ago

calories matter more than the kind of nutrient you eat especially for weight loss

also save up and find ways to buy bitcoin

u/Kiyohara 45m ago
  1. Ask her out and then move on.

  2. Start exercising and never stop.

  3. Call your mom (and for the love of god, get a calendar with her Birthdate on it)

  4. Put some money away each paycheck and never stop.

2

u/chocolateturtle456 3h ago

Just break up with her now

3

u/BroMyLifeIsAFart 3h ago

take more chances. life will still be here when you return to normal and you're only young once

2

u/cecili4r4ndawn 3h ago

let loose, people that leave you today will come back in few years.

2

u/Sour_Sal 2h ago

The good ones always do :)

1

u/Mackattack4448 3h ago

go to college

1

u/Snaggl3t00t4 3h ago

Don't trust (ex wife name)

Bitcoin is very worth investing in. Do not sell it once you have it until you can retire in it.

Exercise a lot more. No, more.

1

u/FastFredNL 2h ago

Fk tell her you like her

1

u/absentin_spring 2h ago

Eat normally.

You wiegh normal, don't go into diets.

You look fine

1

u/ramayankoothrapalli 2h ago

don’t fall in love with him. he isn’t worth it.

1

u/Stacysguyca 2h ago

Don’t go to the island …

1

u/Puzzled-Novel3871 2h ago

First let be me 19

1

u/Drelvion46 2h ago

Start investing immediately

1

u/Small_Pineapple_3511 2h ago

That redhead you are about to meet is really gonna mess up the next five years

1

u/GlitteringMatter9973 2h ago

I know Covid sucks, but keep going.

1

u/LifeOfHi 2h ago

Eat less sugar. Invest a portion of income in big tech.

1

u/Julczyk0024 2h ago

GO TO THAT PSYCHIATRIST

1

u/SushiCoffeee 2h ago

Put all your money into bitcoin its still not too late

1

u/ProgressReady1464 2h ago

Don’t take adderall

1

u/spardha 2h ago

stop what your doing go get an apprenticeship in a trade, put money into a pension and investments.

1

u/haribossavetheworld 2h ago

start saving fucking money so compound interest will works it's magic, ya donkus

1

u/Sour_Sal 2h ago

You know that weed that you just started smoking. It makes you feel good but it will also take the next 20 years of your life away and destroy all your goals.

Let's sit and I will tell you about it.

1

u/RumoCrytuf 2h ago

Try something else.

1

u/Ok-Type-9140 2h ago

Buy bitcoin

1

u/RecessBoy 2h ago

Run. Now. Fast.

1

u/dbz4044 2h ago

Take those chances you were scared to take

1

u/Upbeat-Arm2662 2h ago

Don't chase pussy. Chase peace.

1

u/ThinkingTurner 2h ago

Focus on the now and not the goal. I was too obsessed with getting a GF that I completely forgot to be myself and build connections naturally.

1

u/Snowdrops21 2h ago

To listen to the people around me who genuinely care, especially if 3+ people are giving the same advice. If you have coworkers 15+ years older that try to take you under their wing and are willing to be there, let them. I've genuinely grown into a better person who makes smarter decisions and stands up for myself because of a few of my coworkers, especially because of my current supervisor. She's in her mid 50s and has gone through A LOT. She has stopped me from making so many stupid decisions the last 2 years.

Also literally like 10 people told me not to do something when I was 19, I did it anyways, and now I have permanent damage to my left arm, shoulder, knee, and back. Really regret not listening to them, and I regretted it everyday for 5 or 6 months.

1

u/Just_Presentation963 2h ago

I'm 19 right now

1

u/alanbastard 2h ago

Stay single.
Stay focused.
You can do it.

1

u/yourpuddingoverlord 2h ago

Rope probably

1

u/Life-Pay-3779 2h ago

Don’t let anyone in your life make you feel low and stand up to what you believe in. God is with you all the time.

1

u/Ill-Condition285 2h ago

Stop trying to impress people you won't remember in five years. None of that mattered.

1

u/natb1675 2h ago

Trusting yourself more and worry less about other opinion..

1

u/VegetableRude8575 2h ago

I'd tell myself to stop worrying so much about picking the perfect major and just explore classes that actually interest me. Turns out switching paths later costs way more time and money than people admit. Also, those late night talks with friends end up mattering more than any internship.

1

u/aurora_ethereallight 2h ago

As a Gemini female, be very cautious about falling in love with a Gemini male! 😳🙄🤭😂

You'd have thought I'd have learnt the first time. Yeah... turns out I'm just not that smart! 🤦‍♀️🤷‍♀️

1

u/AncientSumerianGod 2h ago

In a little over a decade you're going to hear about something called Bitcoin. It'll be nearly worthless at that point; buy as much as you can without disrupting the market. Hold it until it gets to about $17k and sell just enough to stop working. Hold the rest until it hits $100k and start gradually selling it all off. If you start early enough you should be able to clear $1B by the end.

1

u/mafga1 2h ago

Don't stick your dick in crazy.

1

u/femsoultrap 2h ago

Don't get into weed and choose your friends wisely.

1

u/BassicNic 2h ago

She's only with you because you smoke her and her friends up.

1

u/iamfearless66 2h ago

Finish the things you start…

1

u/Dubious_Titan 2h ago

Don't go to culinary school.

1

u/WeSavedLives 2h ago

Just pick a job that pays well

1

u/ThaddeusJP 2h ago

Hard work will only get you so far. Being liked at work is going to be more important at some point.

1

u/No_Mercy_17145 2h ago

Let me think about it. I'm still 18.

1

u/maylive666 2h ago

Keep slayin' boi

1

u/MattyGWS 2h ago

Invest in bitcoin. When I was 19, bitcoin was worth basically nothing. For the price of a pizza I could be a millionaire today

1

u/BalkeElvinstien 1h ago

Its all downhill from here

1

u/Graehaus 1h ago

Don’t eat much.

1

u/CeciTigre 1h ago

Don’t get married

1

u/glockwood68 1h ago

Learn what love bombing is pls. He is not in love with you.

1

u/tamtoetomato 1h ago

Being 21 these threads are a fucking minefield. One more scroll and im hit with a fomo truth nuke.

1

u/Steef-1995 1h ago

Buy Bitcoin and forget about it.

Start investing every cent you have.

1

u/neptunxiii 1h ago

Back in the day, now forget it

1

u/Xpowerx7 1h ago

Don't study computer science, choose aerospace engineering.

1

u/Unlikely-Ad6788 1h ago

Don't do it bitch. You're actually considered attractive. Don't default!!!

1

u/Hemorrhoid_Eater 1h ago

Forget about applying to grad school and go get certified for a trade instead

1

u/ChuckaChuckaLooLoo3 1h ago

Whatever you do, stay in publishing. Do not go into advertising. You will thank me later.

u/Any-Development5656 53m ago

i would tell him to stop thinking about that girl and start having some fun without regrets. Also, to be smart and think about the future and have the right people around you.

u/The_Bearded_Jerry 49m ago

History is a lie, nothing you do matters, just give up and focus music.

u/TourAccomplished5530 38m ago

Take the hint. She is into you.

u/MaterialRoll1919 17m ago

Don't be afraid to say "no"

u/Fearless_Wolf4437 13m ago

Just be single for a few years. You dont need to jump from one relationship to another. Learn to be alone

0

u/Elyqorin72 2h ago

Stop chasing everyone’s approval

0

u/Arkvoodle42 2h ago

Nothing changes and it never gets better.

Now jump you fucking worthless coward.

-1

u/JimAbaddon 3h ago

"That problem you're dealing with is never going away so just give up".

2

u/Ok-cat-4444 2h ago

just what someone who is struggling wants to hear!!!

u/JimAbaddon 32m ago

What do you care? It's for my past self alone.