Ink-spiration II

I think it's time for me to drag the next Ink topic out of the bag for me to explore...

Younger self - post about an imaginary meeting with yourself 5yrs ago. What would your 5yr ago self be doing, and what advice would you give her now you are somewhat older and wiser.

5 years ago puts me at 16. I guess I'll just see where the Ink-spiration takes me...

Mini LCT: "I can't believe I have another two years of A-levels ahead of me. Why can't I just go to uni now?"
LCT: "Trust me, you won't even be ready for uni in two years time, let alone now! Enjoy life where you're at, else all you'll be able to enjoy is the memory."
Mini LCT: "Oh cringe, of course I'm enjoying myself now, but I want more freedom and independence. I want more possibilities and less restrictions."
LCT: "Freedom and independence don't come without strings, you'd have other responsibilities too."
Mini LCT: "Like?"
LCT: "Well, you'd have to pay rent or a mortgage, tackle difficult people tactfully - or at least try to(!) - you'd have a lot of work, you'd have to time manage... growing up can be a very steep learning curve!"
Mini LCT: "You make getting older sound particularly lame."
LCT: "That's because I'm trying to stop you wanting to get there too quickly."
Mini LCT: "Hmm, well answer me this. Do you get to go out whenever you want, see whomever you want and manage your own time?"
LCT: "Er, yes."
Mini LCT: "Do you get to spend the money you do have on whatever you want, make your own decisions about pretty much everything and have your own house?"
LCT: "Um, yes I get to do all that too."
Mini LCT: "Do you have to take exams at the end of every year?"
LCT: "No! Praise the Lord..."
Mini LCT: "Well then."
LCT: "I get to eat lots of chocolate too."
Mini LCT: "You're not arguing your point very well here..."
LCT: "Ah, yes I'd forgotten that... your memory doesn't improve much in the next 5 years."
Mini LCT: "Are you wiser though?"
LCT: "I like to think so."
Mini LCT: "Are you more intelligent?"
LCT: "Yes, university did teach me a few things."
Mini LCT: "So what is it here that is supposed to encourage me to enjoy where I am right now?"
LCT: "Simply, that in 5 years time you'll be loving where you are at 21. So at 16 you may as well appreciate the benefits of where you are and what you're doing, so that you won't feel as though you've missed out on any stage in your life. Don't be too anxious to grow up that you miss the moments which make every age unique."
Mini LCT: "That's possibly the first thing you've said in this whole conversation that has vaguely resembled sense."
LCT: "You'll be pleased to know that your cheek and sarcasm don't wear off in the next 5 years either..."

Clearly, I would be hopeless at reasoning with a younger version of myself. Not entirely sure if this particular experiment has accomplished much, but talking to myself has certainly had an odd impact!

Much love,
xx