How would you respond if the following question was proposed to you: If you had the opportunity to relive your teenage years or even earlier childhood years, would you?
I'm sure people would answer very differently. While I did love my childhood, I don't think it would be as great as I remember. It was really care free living and innocence was in full force. The only problems stemmed from simple school work preventing me from playing hours after hours of video games and my brother beating me in everything; it wasn't my fondest memories. I definitely wouldn't want to go through my awkward phase through middle school again. And I wouldn't have to think twice about going through losing all my baby teeth again (I will never look at doorknobs the same). I always felt and looked a few years younger than other children my age.
Some people wouldn't want to relive their younger years for other reasons. I heard someone say that she doesn't even want to think about getting acne again. I must say acne hasn't been a huge issue for me (though I have a pimple on my nose right now). Others just don't want to go through problems like bullying (children can be extremely hurtful) and puberty (changing bodies and hormones can be rough).
Others may disagree and would love to relive their youthful years because it was their prime years and had none of the problems they have now. As I watch "Awkward", a MTV show about a few teenagers in high school (the show isn't awkward at all, they should call me to learn about awkwardness), I realized I had absolutely no drama growing up and I missed out on a whole bunch of "action" (as depicted by twenty-somethings and some cases thirty's). While high school drama has been criticized negatively by anyone who has been a part of it, I wonder if I missed out on an aspect of growing up in America.
Here are a few things I wished I did do:
Learn to be more open earlier- I went incognito for most of my life. This probably led to a countless number of miss opportunities. Being open-minded about unfamiliar aspects of life. Embrace being awkward.
Said "Yes" more often- This is something that should be taught more often. Don't do things just it may benefit you. Remember that no good deed goes unpunished.
Go to Prom- I worried about what others thought about me too often and it prevented me from doing tons of things. I wished I learned how delightful dancing could be.
Dated? I don't even know if this was possible (even now). This coincides with being more social and a willingness to try new things.
Took care of my teeth- No more of an explanation is need than this.
Went to a summer camp- I hear that this "secret" camp life was the best. Once you mention camp to someone who attended one, they get hit by a gigantic wave of nostalgia (e.g. camp traditions, songs). Chances are pretty good that you are all wet from nostalgia.
Wrote more- I wished I wrote anything besides what was required by school. Anything would have been good (a journal/blog) but I wish I would have put effort in the papers I wrote in school. Where else can you get helpful criticism about your writing? I write this as I continue to write in poorly constructed sentences and a restricted set of vocabulary words.
Hopefully someone will learn from my experience (i.e. mostly me).
I wonder what I would say about reliving my twenties a decade from now.