I dated a guy in college mainly out of guilt, and rather than break it off early (or better yet, not date him in the first place) I let it go on far too long and ended up hurting him pretty badly when the inevitable happened. I’ve often wished I could change that. But I also wonder how that experience shaped the way I am today, and I’m sure I learned many valuable lessons from it. I also wished I’d been less shy in high school and college, but you’re right, those aren’t singular events.

If I could just go back and tell my young self one thing, I think it would have been to STAY OUT OF THE SUN. OR AT LEAST WEAR SUNSCREEN, YOU IDIOT. Your blistering burn story? I did that every summer for years. Living through a few painful burns first was the only way I could get a tan. And I HAD to have a tan. Or so I thought. Now I have premature age spots on my chest and hands and I’m a walking invitation to melanoma. Thanks, young stupid self.

The bit about your former friend stuck out to me as I found myself in a similar situation. It didn’t involve insults, it involved things left unsaid for a number of years. Eventually, the volcano erupted and we have since disbanded our friendship. I can’t say this is a re-do as it’s greatly reduced my stress level

There are certainly bits and pieces of my life that I’d like to re-do, but would I? I can’t say I would. I’d love to have been a child that ate well, ate organic, maybe even vegetarian for a bit. If I did, would I still be the same person? Hard to say.

I would have loved to just not have dated my first girlfriend as the experience was a roller coaster ride that ended rather poorly. That experience, however painful, gave me a wealth of knowledge. Example: long-distance relationships are a train wreck disguised as a box of chocolates (for me, anyway) .

Wrapping up this prime example of a ‘ramble’, I’d say that re-do’s would be great, but I’d like to guarantee that they had no effect on who I am today. I quite like myself as I am – I’d hate for it to change just because I didn’t want to be such a chubby kid growing up

Sorry to hear that your ankle is bugging you!

That said, I WOULD like to redo a particular day in the history of my first (pathetic, failed) attempt at an almost-relationship (back in high school). I sort of feel like if I’d figured a few things out back then, I wouldn’t have been dateless and boyfriendless for so long after. Of course, in that case, I’d probably be a different person, too. Less independent? Fewer solid girlfriends? Who knows? Maybe it’s best just to be happy with what I have and who I am.

I don’t blame you for wanting to redo the ankle break day, though. I’m pretty sure you’re right that little if any good came of that.

I think the answer is no. I might be kind of a hot mess right now, but I am still pretty happy with me.

But if I had to go back and change something, I would try to talk myself out of being so shy and quiet in middle school and high school. It really hindered my college experience, and it took me until I was twenty years old to be able to break it. I might have picked a different college, too, but again, I would be missing some great friends if I did that. Not many, but enough.

Great post, lady.