By Felly Oyuga

Ever wish you could travel back in time and give yourself some advice?  I do. As I am getting older and, dare I say, wiser, I wish I could do so. Although traveling back in time is not possible, I can, however, share with others the 15 things I would tell my 15 year old self.  My hopes is that it inspires someone or better yet, inspire my daughters.

15 Things I Would Tell My 15 Year Old Self

1- It is okay to be loud, outspoken and bossy. It is okay to be yourself, there is nothing unladylike about saying what you want. Those who are meant for you will accept you as you are.

2- Take your time.  Do not be in a hurry to grow up. It is not fun.

3- If it is meant to be it will be.  You do not need to force things.

4- Love yourself, do not wait for acceptance from anyone else. This is the only body you have for this life. Enjoy it, you might come back as a chicken!

5- You will get over it. The broken heart, the bruised ego, the man, the job. You will get over it. Time heals everything.

6- Study more. No one can take your education away.

7- Mum is right, there will always be men. Tall, short, young, rich, old, etc.  Contrary to popular belief, there is no shortage of men.

8-  Spend more time alone. Make friends with yourself. Enjoy your company. In the end, you are all you really have.

9- Get up, dress up and show up, it will not always be fun or comfortable. Get used to being uncomfortable.

10- Do not love fast or first. Women tend to love hard and with that love cover a multitude of sins. You do not need the sins covered, you need to know so that you make an informed decision. Pay more attention to the man who loves you, not the one you love. You will learn to love the one who loves you. Believe me.

11- Get married in your late thirties. Travel, work, live alone, chase your dreams. Choose a career, work hard at it, make money. Then get married and have many babies quickly. If the marriage does not work, do not take time trying to fix it, count your losses and move on. Sometimes trying to fix it breaks you more.

12- Spend more time with Mum and Dad. You will not have them for very long. Listen to them, talk to them, laugh at their jokes and take lot of pictures with them.

13- Do not try to fit in or dumb down. If they like you they will come up to your level.

14- Prayer does not change anything. For every action there is a reaction. The world is governed by principles. Prayer cannot undo anything. Spend more time meditating before taking action.

15- You cannot control anything. Go with the flow sometimes, work through it other times and be still when nothing works.

What are some advice you would give your 15 year old self?