What would you say?

[Lana Lang]

If you could go back in time and meet an 18 year old version of yourself, what would you tell them?

For me, I would say "Don't give up"

[PortiaHoney]

"Don't care so much about what other people think, follow your heart!"

:hugs:Portia

[victoriamwilliams1]

I would say, "Your tall and you are a very beautiful girl"

Then I would fade away and or change the future, however I would say get out of your house now!

[cj]

buy google stock. :)

[kimmy p]

Settle down, don't be so angry, learn some patience, not everything is worth fighting over, and eventually you'll find the right friends. Just to start.

[Nataliebabe]

I`d say, "Dude, just go ask her out. What have you got to lose? You know that she wants you to. She`s HOT Just do it?"



This haunts me about 3 times a week. 18 years old was 20 years ago. Dam.....

[almalove]

If you think your going throuthg a hard time just wait it'll get tuffer so, better get ready.

Alma

[Celeste]

Make each and every little decision count, with regard to how it will affect you in the future.

[Schatten Lupus]

I would tell myself to not move out of my parents the first time, and to not screw my boss over.
That alone should be enough to change the other stuff I'm not too proud to say I did.
Then I would have told myself to go ahead and pack up, leave state, and transition like I was planning on doing.

I'd also tell myself to not stop working out, but change to low impact aerobics.

[AllieSF]

I'd say, start now and enjoy this alternate lifestyle now and for the rest of your life.

[ColleenShivas]

There is much advice that I would give myself, but for this forum I would say - Do it! There is nothing wrong with CDing. It is a part of you and it will not leave you. Enjoy it and make the most of it.

[Carole Cross]

I would tell my 18 year old self to go and speak to my GP about gender reassignment. It would haved saved a lifetime of denial and regret.:sad:

[avril findlay]

"I think you've taken that punk girl look a leettle bit too far. It's going to cause you some problems!"

[charlene_d]

"It is all going to work out okay."

Charlene D.

[Megan_Girl]

At 18 I was bullet proof and a frickin genius. I knew it all but I wouldn't waste my time listing to me ..:chatterbox:........ anyone.

But given the chance I'd talk about alcoholism, crossdressing, personal financial management and life choices. How to be comfortable in your own skin.

The problem is you can never find a time machine when you want one...:straightface:

XXX
Megan

[tanya1976]

If you could go back in time and meet an 18 year old version of yourself, what would you tell them?

For me, I would say "Don't give up"

Don't take everything so seriously, lighten up, and just enjoy being who and what you are.

[emmicd]

This is generic but "Live life to the fullest!"

emmi

[Ashlyee Paige]

don't hide the body in the yard, someone will see, dump it in the river.


LOL J/K
im in one of my silly moods :>

[avril findlay]

"Badge? Badge? Ahhh dohn haff too show yoo no steekin badge!!!

[Anna the Dub]

I would tell my 18 year old self to go and speak to my GP about gender reassignment. It would haved saved a lifetime of denial and regret.:sad:

Yeah, me too. If I could do that, then by now the memory of pretending to be, and living as, a male would be fading fast.

[SANDRA MICHELLE]

I would tell myself to buy that property I told everyone would be worth millions, cause it is a gold mine and I could have bought it for $60,0000 back in 1974. I would also tell myself that crossdressing is not wrong and that it does not mean I am gay. I would say that I would be happier overall if I "come out" and just run with it. I would tell myself not to marry my first wife since she was not true to me. And of course i would look up many of the winning lottery numbers and tell me to play them when they are coming up.

[TGMarla]

I'd say, "If you're going to pursue this, take control of it right now, and do what you want to do. Stop wrestling with it, accept it, and have fun with it. You probably don't want a sex-change, so get comfortable with it and lighten up. Now go have some fun."

"Oh, and get your own place."

"By the way, the Internet is coming, and you're going to like it."

"The winning lottery ticket numbers for next week are......." :D

[Desiree2bababe]

Have as much fun as you can!!

[insearchofme]

I'd put my hand on his shoulder and look him in the eye and say, "Hang on pal you're in for a heck of a ride!"

[Elizabeth2-]

I would tell him that it is okay to be Elizabeth and encourage to do whatever it required to get there. If my SO comes along, tell her up front. If she can handle it, great. If not, great. Love yourself for who your really are.

Oh, yes, and invest all he could even if it meant eating a regular diet of Ramen, celery, and cottage cheese.

[Deborah Jane]

If i could meet my 18 year old self i,d tell him to buy the pink ra,ra corset dress in the boutique window he saw and never bought.

I,d also tell him to buy the Corvette he didn,t think he could fix up at the time, because now i could!!

[CalvinKlein]

Well it was only 4 years ago. I'd warn myself not to purge (which i did once, but my collection has gotten better since then).

I'd also tell myself not to choose a college in the snow belt (although the friends I made there are terrific).

Prepare for a change of the guard in the AL East. Unfortunately, the Yanks and BoSox have switched roles since 2004.

[Maria2222]

Get out of the stock market. LOL.

[rickie121x]

If you could go back in time and meet an 18 year old version of yourself, what would you tell them? Oh my, I have never thought of that notion before! What flashed through my mind instantly is to tell me to run to the bank, get a large loan and have all the medical procedures right away.

Then I would have had about fifty years of being able to play in the "playground" of life and sensuality that I love so much! Of course, I would tell me that I am a lesbian, and also find a really kinky man to marry and support me. Ah yes, then my duties in having "gone back in time" would be done.

Rickie :daydreaming:

[Sharon]

I'd tell myself, "Open your eyes and be honest with yourself. Don't wait thirty more years to do what you will eventually do anyway."

[Mary Morgan]

Don't spend your life regretting the dreams left unfulfilled. Be yourself first, then you will be more to others. The path of growth is always the more difficult, but in the end, the most rewarding.

[Sam-antha]

I'd tell myself, "Open your eyes and be honest with yourself. Don't wait thirty more years to do what you will eventually do anyway."

I would add to the open eyed honesty one thought ; Live it to the full. There might, just might, not be another thirty years to waste. Apart from the fact that the Gulf Stream will probably have stopped by then....

~Samm

[Lana Lang]

Great replies everyone!

[Sammy777]

1) Your GF is going to cheat on you with her old BF. Dump her
2) You car is going to break down in 2 weeks
3) Cash in this lottery ticket, go buy a new car, then find a new GF.
4) Keep growing your hair & if some girl ever asks you to cut it, DON'T.
5) Oh by the way your a CD'er, its fine, so have fun with it. lol


Now where did I leave the keys to the Delorean? :lol2:

[CD Susan]

"Don't waste your life away by hiding in the closet. Get out there and enjoy being the girl that you know you are on the inside".

[susanCD123]

What a great question,
I would tell him its not bad to sneak into step=moms lingerie drawer, shave his legs, and be embarrased and ashamed of it all. I would tell him it is ok to look at porn and pretend to be the girl. Gosh, that says a lot about me, dosent it?
Love you all,
Susan.

[serinalynn]

I'd tell my 18Y/O self to go to college and get your degree first, then go excersize your female interests be ther real women or real womens clothing.:daydreaming:

[Lanore]

Gosh you're pretty. See ya in 29 years.

Lanore

[nicole123]

Minnesota twins beat the st. louis cardnials in game 7
Washington redskins beat the Denver broncos 42-10
Edmonton wins the Stanley cup
alysheba wins the kentucky derby
And while your in vegas jerry’s nugget has the best prime rib:thumbup:

[Alana65]

I'm not sure if it was around (almost 26 years ago), but I would tell my 18 year old self to buy LOTS of stock in Microsoft.......I probably could've retired by the time I hit 40 :daydreaming:.

[Suzy Harrison]

I'd say 3 things to myself:

1st
This will never go away, in fact it will get even more intense the older you get, so transition now and save yourself a lot of pain !


2nd
Seek out a guy called Bill Gates and lend him as much money in the form of shares that you can afford. He might do fairly well in the future.

3rd
When video recorders are invented, buy VHS - not Betamax !

[Toni_Lynn]

It's gonna be tough, but in 32 years it will be all worth it in ways that can't imagine now for all your dreams will come true - and the only way you will get there is by traveling the road ahead of you no matter how difficult it gets.

[Kendra (Tx)]

I'd have to tell myself.."Take heart....you aren't the only one in the world who feels this way and wants to be a pretty girl"

http://kendra954.com

[Veronica Lacey]

buy google stock. :)


Nice touch, cj. And "Wear more pink"...

[AmandaM]

Don't take the oath at the movement center!

[amy canada]

I'd tell myself to get into an exercise routine because I'm not going to stay 160 pounds forever and that I'll gain 60 pounds. I'd also tell myself to work as much as possible and save every little bit so that I can get a nice house in the future.

[sometimes_miss]

Quit your jobs, focus on school, and borrow as much money as it takes to get through, in any way you can. You can pay it all back when you're finished. If you're lonely, buy yourself a hooker once a week if you have to. Otherwise you'll still be trying to get through school when you're in your forties.

[sterling12]

I think I would tell myself to go out and explore a Wonderful World. "Your not the only one like this, you can find some kind of contentment."

I also would have advised Joanie to obtain a Doctoral Degree, find tenure in a prestigious university, stay the hell out of Vietnam, "and quit the cigarettes before they come close to killing you!"

That's enough I would think. Now, if she only would have listened.

Peace and Love, Joanie

[Barbaraheels]

I think about that question almost everyday of my life. Believe it or not I would say so much, but none of it would have anything to do with crossdressing.

[Edyta_C]

After wife one and well before wife 2 I probably should have started on HRT towards SRS. Today its too way too late, and I don't want to lose what I now have. And I would have bought Google and Ebay stock instead of Dell and Home Depot.

Edy

[Stacye Rose]

1) There is nothing wrong with you desire to look like a pretty girl-Go for it now.

2) Quit folllowing The Grateful Dead after one year and go back to college.

3) Take the money your father is offering you to go to school on and buy stock. It's spelled M-i-c-r-o-s-o-f-t.

Oh Yeah, don't marry that woman, you'll want to leave in three more years anyway.

[Alex!]

Easy - "Choose the path to professional artist."

[Christine XX]

1) Don't worry, your wife is coming and she's worth the wait.

2) Don't purge, dammit!

3) Exercise more and eat less, please!

-Christine

P.S. Now we should all try to imagine the advice we might get from our future selves, and try to follow it.

[docrobbysherry]

I`d say, "Dude, just go ask her out. What have you got to lose? You know that she wants you to. She`s HOT Just do it?"
This haunts me about 3 times a week. 18 years old was 20 years ago. Dam.....

That's what I would have told myself at 18 also! Now, I'm in my 60's. I figured that out in my 40's. And I was dating hardbodies that I wouldn't have been able to even speak to, when I was younger!:daydreaming:

The 40's of today, r the late 20's of years ago! :D

Go get those cuties, Natalie! The same message to ALL U YOUNG 40's THINGS!:heehee:

[JoAnne Wheeler]

I would say - I have walked many, many miles in your shoes. You can and will make it. You are so fortunate to have so many books about us and you have the Internet. You are fortunate. I wish you well and we are all here to support you.
Love, JoAnne Wheeler

[Carly D.]

I would tell my 18 year old self " you know how you just threw all those pantyhose away thinking that was that, no more dressing ever again".. well you're gonna start again in a few weeks and no the next time you get the urge to throw everything away DON'T YOU DO IT!! I think I would also add that you should buy big when buying dresses and skirts you're not a small girl there guy.. and pantyhose will always be the cheese in the cheeseburger.. the ham in the ham & cheese.. the chocolate in the chocolate shake.. live it and learn to love it..

[rosetyler]

I would say, remember your priorities and take school seriously.

[Patrice]

I know your afraid but move heaven and earth to get into college. Exercise and eat less, it will be an easier change to make now than in 20 yrs. And heres the Super Bowl and World Series winners for the next 20 yrs . . . . . .

[Christina Nicole]

Buy Microsoft, short Lehman, and start HRT before it's too late.

[Rachel B]

If I met myself as an 18 yr old I (He err, I, y'know what I mean) would probably have fallen in luv with me cause I paid me (Him....geez this is gettin confusing) some attention.......

Yes I really was that sad and desperate!

What kind of weird thought does that conjur up?

lol
Rach

[suit]

I`d say, "Dude, just go ask her out. What have you got to lose? You know that she wants you to. She`s HOT Just do it?"



This haunts me about 3 times a week. 18 years old was 30 years ago. Dam.....

I have to agree I my biggest enemy is my selfesteem

[Samantha43]

I would say to myself: Follow the path you are on. It will lead to a wonderful and rewarding life.

........oh, and embrace your crossdressing fully. It will bring you great joy! Buy stock in Microsoft. You'll be able to buy lots of cool female clothing!

I really have no regrets.

[Sophie_C]

If you could go back in time and meet an 18 year old version of yourself, what would you tell them?

For me, I would say "Don't give up"

18 would be too late.

If I met the 14 year old version of myself, I'd tell her that those feelings will never go away, and that people are going to be cruel in HS, anyway, so just get it overwith.

Transitioning couldn't be any bit worse than the alternative (which was fairly unpleasant) so consider it a weight off your shoulders, demand to speak to a therapist, get hormones and begin the process, like you knew you could back then.

That way, the masculization wouldn't begin, and I'd be able to be truly passable, and truly live the life I should have.

Had that been possible, I'm quite sure I'd be married with adopted kids by now.

[DameErrant]

Be honest with yourself about who you are, explore and enjoy it to the fullest.

[Robynts]

I would tell my younger self not to waste our youth, but to embrace Robyn and let her out. And to enjoy ourself every step of the way.

My one regret is that I kept Robyn hidden for 40 years and missed some wonderful times and opportunities.

[trannie T]

I would tell the 18 year old, "Go make your own mistakes, enjoy the ride it might be a little bumpy in a few places but it will be a good trip."

[Tess]

I agree that 18 is too late...make the advice to my 13 year old self. It would be "your parents advice isn't always right...take college prep in high school and earn a scholarship". Oh, and don't be so up tight...relax and have some fun.

[susiej]

I would tell my 18-year-old self, "let down your hair, take off your glasses, and go put on a dress, because you're beautiful. Don't sacrifice your happiness at the altar of your {parents, friends, spouses} impression of you. When you're in your late 50's, you're going to discover you really are rather feminine, and it will be all right with you. Look inside yourself, and realize it's OK now!"

Hugs,
Susie

[Mary Jane]

I would have told myself to buy some makeup after trying on the wig I bought. I saw a young man in a wig and thought it was useless to pursue the dressing.It just never occurred to me that makeup would have made that much difference. This little mistake cost me many years of dressing and when I eventually got another wig AND makeup I thought about all the years that I had wasted. Oh well, water under the bridge now.

[jessielee]

today is the first day
of the rest of your life
to awake as a child and see the world begin
on monarch wings
and birthday wanderings
to put on faces, walk in the wet and the cold
and look forward to your growing old
to grow old is to change
to change is to be new
to be new is to be young again...
i barely remember, when
my memory is stolen by the morning
blotted out by the sun's hypnotic light
out by the sun's hypnotic light
today is the first day of the rest of my life
i awake as a child to see the world begin
on monarch wings
and birthday wanderings
i want to put on faces, walk in the wet and the cold
and look forward to my growing old...

adapted from
Sugacity, by John Denver


versus growing up in fear and insecurity and self loathing
his choice, forewarned by this miraculous visitation

[Shelly67]

1. Stop pretending to be the " hard man "
2. Accept the inner you .
3. Whatever you do , although you,ll grow out of thrash metal bands - DO NOT CUT OFF THOSE GOLDEN CURLS !!

[Kelsy]

Don't be afraid to let the girl inside out. shine and b yourself! Oh yeah don't cut your beautiful hair the day is coming when your going to miss it!!:heehee:

Kelsy

[Joanj]

I'd say 'Pick your fights' Learn to recognize the ones you can't win. Get rid of your 'young' anger and learn to love & accept yourself.

[linnea]

I'd say, start now and enjoy this alternate lifestyle now and for the rest of your life.

This is part of what I would say. It's fun to fantasize about it and to think of how some things could have been different--not so much fear and guilt and deceit--, but I really have very few regrets about how my life has progressed. I would have like to know more about crossdressing than I did. When I was eighteen, I believed that I was alone or one of very few people who crossdressed. I wondered if it was a sickness or a bad psychological problem.
But none of that stopped me, and to this day I'm glad that I didn't stop because now I am very happy to crossdress and I get a great deal of fulfillment and satisfaction from doing it.

[PhillyGuy2Girl]

I was 18 back in 1983, so I would tell 18 Y. O. myself the past 25 Super Bowl,World Series,NBA Finals and NHL Stanley Cup champions and tell him to bet lots of money on them in Las Vegas and be rich when you'll be going on 44 years old.


Not only that, I would tell him not screw up your first semester at Temple,listen to the advice of the generations before and invest in Microsoft stocks and last but not least, start CDing again because you'll meet a lovely women who will be very accepting of it and it won't be such a taboo in 2009.



Felicity :) :) :)

[Rebecca1138]

granted this was only 3 almost 4 years ago for me but I would say to keep on keepin on, have no regrets, role with the punches and come up swinging.

[kymmieLorain]

I just finished watching Brad Pasley's video "letters to me"

I pose this question would you tell your younger self anything to change your life or not?

Kymmie

[suzy]

If it were possible, I would have a long, long conversation with my younger self! But in a nut shell, it would be to not to be so concerned about what others think about you.:hugs:

[Nigella]

In a nutshell NO

I have always held the maxim, if I changed one thing in my life, it would have quite possibly taken a different route.

I am comfortable with my life and would not change anything I have done that has made me who I am

[scherylnmke]

I'd say your not alone and don't be afraid. You'll find out more are like you and that's o.k. Don't wait so long to show the real you, and have fun!!

[Kate Simmons]

Not necessary really as sometimes the past is changed by the present being fluid.:)

[Jessica Keys]

As a person that grew-up in the plains state (NE) and a small town I didn't have anyone to reach out to help me transition. If I would have had the internet like we have now I am sure my life would have been different not being trapped in this male body.
If I was 18 again gender reassignment would have happened.
I must say when I was in my early twenty's I did have a chance to live as a female for a short time one summer...It was the most peaceful time of my life. :)

[BobbiJ]

I'd explain to my younger self why he cuts up his underwear to look revealing, why his cutoff jeans needed to be as short as hotpants, why he was so fascinated in the Penthouse stories about guys dressing as girls, and tell him he got called those cruel names because in his head, he was mostly female.

I'd tell him not to skeeve out when he's in the basement with Bruce, because in 30 years, he's really going to want to know...

I'd tell him not to go to school for business, but journalism - or nursing.

I'd tell him he's young, thin, and beautiful, and he shouldn't waste it.

I'd tell him to dress himself up pretty, go to The Green Apple (a local drag club,) and enjoy himself.

And yes, i'd tell him to buy Microsoft and Amazon... and sell in December of 2000. ;)