Messages to 14 year old me:
1) Despite what you may think, diet and exercise can change your life. Start now, as it'll be a long and winding road. You'll be a health nut who can out-pace some professional athletes in a few years, and as everything that you hate about yourself starts to disappear, you'll find some good reasons to start living in those burnt-out-husk sections of your life which you've abandoned as lost causes long ago. They'll take some time to reoccupy, and go slowly in them, as the muscles have atrophied. In time, you'll find a few strengths and joys amongst the ashes, and you'll be happy you breathed with all of you.
2) It sounds cliched, but what you think makes you who you are. You must keep a positive attitude at all times; the consequences are loathing, failure, and depression. However, the upside of this is that your mind is powerful beyond all your imaginings. You are brilliant, and, putting your strengths to good use, you will shake the world.
3) Get on the beach. Absorb sun; you will always feel better for it.
4) There are women who are worthwhile out there; you will find them, and it will be blissful. Make time for them in your busy life always, but don't let them smother you.
There are friends out there who are worth having; they will make you laugh, they will make you think, and they will lead you to new opportunities. You will save and improve some of them. Best of all, they add spice, even if they sometimes chafe and enrage. Never forget though, that you need your alone time. Jealously guard it, as it is the key to your soul and happiness.
5) Never let the dollar rule you. Do what you love. If you do, you'll do well enough financially, and avoid the horror of a life wasted in the pursuit of something you can't take with you. Besides, your fortune lies in pursuing the periphery of your passion.
6) Spend less than you earn. Save 20% of what you make. Do the research and invest it wisely. Index funds are your friends.
7) Your clashes with your parents are mostly temporary. They love you and you'll remember that you love them soon enough. Enjoy them as long as you can, and don't let your temper off its leash. If you keep your mind positive, family will mostly take care of itself. Don't forget about your brother. He's got his own thing going, and you'll need to be the one to make the effort to keep in touch, but you'll both be glad you did when you're older.
8) It's ok to be a hippy and show it. It will endear most to you, and the rest will be too impressed for it to have any negative consequences. Frolic. Hike. Laugh. Don't take things too seriously or revel in the loathing of others.
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