The image depicts a scene from a high school senior skip day in 1996. It features two young men in a parking lot. The man in the foreground is dressed in a white tank top and appears to be talking or interacting with someone off-camera, giving a candid expression. In the background, his friend, wearing a plaid shirt and a baseball cap, leans casually against an older model car. The setting is an outdoor parking area with trees and a clear sky, capturing a relaxed, nostalgic moment from their youth.

30 Pieces of Advice I’d Give My Younger Self

Fuzz Martin•August 17, 2023•General•

“Listen up, young Fuzz…”

A few years ago, I attended a leadership conference (or read a book or watched a TED Talk—honestly can’t remember). The host had us write down 30 things we wish we could go back and tell our teenage selves. I recently stumbled upon the list, revisited it, and now I’m sharing it with you.

  1. Relax. Young Fuzz is too uptight.
  2. Your financial stability is more important than your car, dork.
  3. Go to class. After all, you’ll be paying for it until you’re 42.
  4. Learn how to say “no” and focus on doing fewer things better.
  5. Don’t be afraid to move out of state.
  6. Also, travel more. See the world.
  7. Drink less.
  8. Formal education is important—if not solely for the challenge.
  9. Radio is a fun hobby, but don’t make it a career.
  10. You enjoy writing more than you give yourself credit for.
  11. ADHD is real. Don’t be ashamed. Embrace it. Work with it.
  12. Love everyone and recognize them as individuals.
  13. You don’t need to be the life of the party.
  14. Take an improv class; you’ll love it.
  15. Take Spanish instead of German. Germans learn English in school and want to speak English around Americans. Also, no one speaks German in the U.S.
  16. Mukwonago isn’t known for its diversity. Seek other viewpoints.
  17. When something doesn’t feel right, walk away early.
  18. Don’t smoke, you dumbass. Wow. Gross.
  19. You and carbs aren’t friends. Visit each other sparingly.
  20. Drink water. Your football coaches were meatheads.
  21. Don’t believe the stigma. Therapy heals.
  22. Marketing isn’t the degree you want. You’ll enjoy something that’s more art than math and analytics.
  23. Hold onto that Apple stock you bought for $11.83/share when you were 25. 😭
  24. You aren’t your dad. That’s okay. You be you. Love him for him.
  25. Read fiction. You’ll enjoy it.
  26. The hard times shape you. Embrace them.
  27. Your kids will grow up fast. Too fast.
  28. Life will give you back everything you give to others—and then some.
  29. Your friends now won’t be your friends in 20 years. Appreciate your time together, but let them go.
  30. You’ll write a list of 30 things when you’re 45, but even then you won’t know everything. That’s okay.

How about you? What advice would you give younger you?

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