9 Things I Would Tell My Younger Self
By: Shamar M
Tags: Self Improvement, Self Love, Advice, Self, Childhood

1. Start writing.

I wish I found a writing platform at a young age or had the confidence to begin freelancing. In 2015, I was doing my A-Levels and had to write all the time. I absolutely loved taking notes. What harm would writing for fun have done?

I may not have had too much spare time to write for fun but it would have been a start. All the times that I did have spare and spent lounging around, I could have been writing!

I also worked in retail at that age to save up for university. I was not good at budgeting at all then and any extra income really would have helped.

Not only that, but I would have reignited my passion. Who knows, I could have decided to write a book at 21 and had it published by now.

2. Save your money, for real.

Like I said, I was not good at budgeting in my late teens. In the words of Ariana Grande; “I see it, I like it, I want it, I got it.”

I loved trainers and overpriced clothes, I still do. But being a student I couldn’t afford it and I didn’t work during term time.

If I had worked, even just 12 hours a week, then I would have been able to treat myself more often and not feel guilty about it.

I would also start an ISA when I get into university, just to get ahead of the financial game and begin a house deposit early. I wasn’t to know the housing market was going to rise the way it has, but every penny counts in this day and age.

3. Your obsession for fluffy things does not go away.

I am a child at heart. Always will be and always have been. Since I was a kid, I have loved fluffy stuffed toys. I used to collect multicolored bush baby teddy bears.

No matter when I go, when I see something thick and fluffy I go into child mode. Recently, I went into Marks and Spencers and saw a giant Percy Pig for £25. What do I want for Christmas? The giant Percy pig teddy bear (with the tub of sweets).

It’s not just the toys that do it for me. I have fluffy blankets, fluffy clothes, a HUGE thick, fur jacket down to my ankles and I live in my dressing gown.

Fluffy animals get me excited too. I have recently developed an obsession with Pallas Cats’ as they are the fluffiest of the feline species. Where do I want to go for my birthday? A two-hour car journey to the zoo to see Pallas cats.

I really don’t think I’m going to stop this ‘phase’ any time soon.

4. Eat less junk food!

During the sixth form, I went into town every day because it was very close. This means I had access to any food I wanted. What also didn’t help is that cafeteria chips were only £1 for a very generous portion.

Over time, you put weight on. That is the life I’m afraid. However, I had a fast metabolism when I was younger so did not think about what I was eating, I just ate it because I wanted it.

My friends started going to the gym and I just laughed at them. Now I wish I had joined them earlier on.

I am very self-conscious about my body and wish I knew a lot more about what I was eating and the damage it could cause (inside and out) and also learn self-discipline at an earlier age.

5. DO NOT let mum bin your toys!

Pre 2010 toys seem to go for an absolute fortune. Barbie, Bratz Dolls and Poll Pockets have been modified in some shape or form. The truth is, people never really wanted the toys to change. Companies just did it to make dolls more “realistic” and look less demonic.

The older the toy, the higher the price. Many people want the feeling of nostalgia and to return to their old childhood. This means there is money to be made. A nice chunk of money for an old toy wouldn’t harm anyone.

I was obsessed with my Barbie kitchen. Whilst there is one on the market, it’s not the same as the one I used to have! I had an oven with a lightup button and the oven actually WORKED and you could make mini brownies. I also had to buy milkshake powder so Barbie could make the milkshakes with me! Good times.

Whenever we see an article similar to “Barbie sold for X” or “Vintage toy sold for X amount” and then we realise that I had that toy when I was a kid, my mum always curses.

The only toy collection she kept is my brother’s old collection of Hot Wheels cars but I haven’t seen them go for much.

6. You don’t really have that many friends.

When it came to birthday parties, I was always allowed a big bash when I was a kid. As I have grown older, I have always liked a big party and everyone making a fuss about vain little Shamar.

I am thinking about all those people whom I had given out invites and called my friend when really they are talking about me behind my back or doing something they know I wouldn’t like.

Where are those “friends” now?

Sure, I do have really good close friends. But to be honest, the only friend I really have is the one that looks back at me in the mirror every morning. That’s the only person I can count and rely on to do anything correctly and to please me.

7. You want to start a small sweet business.

I love sweets. They are my favorite things on earth and nothing (apart from a diet) can take them away from me.

During the first lockdown in the United Kingdom, they took away the pick n mix sweets as anyone can touch them or cough on them. Fair enough. But what about my addictions?

I decided to order from a small company on Instagram and it was the best thing I had ever done. Over time, I decided that it would be sweet (if you pardon the pun) if I started my own as a side business.

I can’t help but think I should have thought of this sooner. If I had started from a younger age, or at least gotten family members to help me, maybe I would have been the next Sir Alan Sugar (if you pardon the pun).

8. You will get over your fear of dogs and sleeping in the dark.

When I was a kid I HATED dogs.

I will never forget when I was walking in the park with my white chocolate Magnum ice cream, I must have been about 10 years old, and some stupid family had let their dog run riots around me.

I was screaming and hiding behind the pushchair and my mum, then I DROPPED my ice cream. Mum wouldn’t buy me a new one. I was and still am traumatised.

I also hated the dark. I used to get scared so easily. Just like all kids, I had the fear that there were people under my bed or people coming to grab me at night.

Luckily, as time has gone on I have grown out of both fears and have just replaced them with others. You just can’t win in life, can you?

9. Believe in yourself.

Self-doubt has always been a confidence crusher for me. I always doubt my abilities, even when it comes to basic administration skills at work.

I hate to think about how badly I have self-sabotaged myself over the years just by cutting corners and talking myself out of it.

You can do anything you set your mind to. You can get there, just be patient.