This week’s Saturday Sidebar is a spin on one of the writing prompts from Mama Kat’s Pretty Much World Famous Writer’s Workshop:

“What is one piece of advice you would give your teenage self?”

Check out what some of our World Moms had to say…

Ms. V of South Korea writes:
“That perfection is both impossible and undesirable so spending any time trying to be perfect is a waste of time. Less work, more play!”

Mamma Simona of South Africa writes:
“You’re NOT fat and worthless!! Trust your instincts about people. It’s YOUR life to live; so stop wasting time thinking you’re just ‘not good enough’! You ARE worthy of unconditional love, so be as kind to yourself as you are to others.”

The Alchemist of India writes:
“It is ok to not please the world or live up to its expectations. You can go ahead and do what you want to do. It is ok if it does not sound logical or intelligent. What matters in the end is your happiness and your contentment, your fulfillment and your satisfaction. You cannot please yourself and the world too. Be yourself and you will be admired and loved by the world!”

Kyla P’an of Massachusetts, USA writes:
“When getting a tattoo, be sure it’s in places and a subject you’d still be ok with when you’re a grandmother (in other words, don’t be brash in ALL of your teenage decisions).”

SophieRunning of the United Kingdom writes:
“Travel the world, earn lots of money, do a job you love and THEN think about children :-)”

Margie Bryant of Arkansas, USA writes:
“Don’t treat sex as love. They are very different. Don’t ever let a man disrespect you. You are enough, just as you are. And go to college now – not at 39, when you have 2 kids, 2 step kids and a full time job!”

Tara B. of Washington State, USA writes:
“It’s ok to let relationships go, whether they are platonic or romantic. You can hold people in your heart and still walk away from toxic situations. Take care of yourself, and that relationship may come back to you in another season of life.”

Kirsten Doyle of Ontario, Canada writes:
“Be true to who you are and what you want to do. Don’t settle anything less just because it’s what other people expect.”

Amy Hillis of Ohio, USA writes:
“Don’t be in such a hurry to grow up!”

RoxIsBrilliant of Nevada, USA writes:
“Go to grad school right after getting your BA.”

Travel Lady with Baby of Quebec, Canada writes:
“It is ok to forge your own path, not your mother’s. Your dreams are yours, and you don’t have to live someone else’s out. I simply would tell my teen self, not to listen to anything my mother said.”

MamaMzunga of Kenya writes:
“Don’t care so much about what other people think – especially the boys. They’re idiots until they are 35.”

Karyn Van Der Zwet of New Zealand writes:
“I don’t want to tell my teenage-self anything, but I would love to be the key mentor/aunt/wise-woman who is there as a sounding board and mostly silent guide and steadying hand. Mind you, I’d also have liked to be that woman to myself in my 20s and 30s too!”

What about you…looking back, what advice would you give your teenage self?  

And do you have a question you would like to pose to our WMB writers?  If so, email us at wmbsidebareditor@gmail.com to see what they have to say.

Don’t forget to visit us tomorrow to check out the travel itinerary for next week!

– World Moms Blog

Photo credit to Katie Tegtmeyer.  This photo has a creative commons attribute license.

World Moms Blog

World Moms Blog is an award winning website which writes from over 30 countries on the topics of motherhood, culture, human rights and social good. Over 70 international contributors share their stories from around the globe, bonded by the common thread of motherhood and wanting a better world for their children. World Moms Blog was listed by Forbes Woman as one of the "Best 100 Websites for Women 2012 & 2013" and also called a "must read" by the NY Times Motherlode in 2013. Our Senior Editor in India, Purnima Ramakrishnan, was awarded the BlogHer International Activist Award in 2013.

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