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Life : Five Things I Wish I’d Known At Fifteen : by Carly Findlay

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May 1, 2012
Be Smart
7 Comments

Fifteen. It was fifteen years ago. I was in Year 10. I wanted to be a journalist. I was in love with Savage Garden. I had a best friend, perhaps my only friend. I spent a lot of time in the school library. I felt very lost and isolated. I wish I knew then what I know now. That it was going to be ok. I wish I knew that in a few years, life would be great, and I’d be more than anyone ever expected of me.  Here’s five things I wish I could tell my fifteen year old self :

I want to tell my fifteen  year old self that my life is going to be ok. That I am going to be someone. Someone more than the bullies told me I’d be and the doubters expected of me. That I will be more than they ever could.

I want to tell my fifteen year old self that I will find someone who loves me – maybe more than one someone, and even if he is a douchebag, even if I’m still single aged 30, someone will look past my illness and see beauty.

I want to tell my fifteen year old self that I will be a success. Even though I’ve never been chosen to lead anything by my school peers, I will be a leader. I will have a good job, live independently, be tertiary qualified, receive awards and I will be a published and respected writer and speaker.

I want to tell my fifteen year old self that I probably won’t marry anyone famous – I shouldn’t get my hopes up about marrying Darren Hayes. But I will meet him, and many other celebrities in the future, and this will be pretty damn cool.

I want to tell my fifteen year old self that looks aren’t everything. That I will influence people through just being myself. That I don’t have to change. That people will love me for me. And that I can use my image to influence the world in a positive way.


Carly Findlay is a writer, blogger and TV presenter, making people think about the way appearance matters (or shouldn’t matter). She’s soon going to the UK to speak at a conference about appearance, and will also go to BlogHer in New York. She loves blogging, cooking, eating, seeing bands, expensive cheese, fashion and shopping, Darren Hayes and Callan Mulvey.

What do you wish you could tell your fifteen year old self, JustBees?  What matters? What doesn’t? What turns out just fine?

  • Absolute Amy

    Great post, I’m REALLY loving ‘Five Things I Wish I’d Known at 15′ and I’m hoping that 15 year olds everywhere are reading and taking comfort in the fact that we were all 15 once, and things turn out OK. Amy xx
    Ps. You forgot to tell your 15 year old self that Darren Hayes is gay and that is the reason you won’t marry the gorgeous and talented man.

  • Maxabella

    Carly, the ONLY reason Darren Hayes didn’t go for you is because he’s into guys. Otherwise, you were well and truly in. x

  • Heidi

    Beautiful post :) “That I will influence people through just being myself” – good line. I wish I could tell my 15yr old self to push myself & not just do the easy option, to not be scared of failing.
    Heidi xo

  • http://twitter.com/LindaDrummond Linda Drummond

    This is so beautiful Carly. I’m sorry that your 15-year-old self didn’t know this – but it’s pretty ace that you do now. Go YOU!

  • Oh Sew Rosy

    I wish I could tell my fifteen year old self that it doesn’t really matter what other people think of me. To be confident in myself, my ideas and actions. I’d say Go For It Girl! Amy x

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  • pam

    I wish i could tell my fifteen year old self i dont need to get pregnant to get away from the emotional trauma at home and from ichthyosis.