What would 10 year old you think of you now?
Posted by Appropriate_World265@reddit | GenX | View on Reddit | 491 comments
Ok so you've hit your 50's (or almost) which was insanely inconceivable at 10 years old; that was older than my parents at the time. Did you have any idea about how your life would turn out? Has it been anything close to reality?
durtybum@reddit
10 year old me would be happy that 60 year old me still has horses and still plays cowboys and Indians with his grandson. But would probably be a little upset that I eat oatmeal and that I truly like to read and take baths
jmg733mpls@reddit
She’s be mortified and seriously disappointed. I was supposed to be a fashion designer living in Paris! I’m a single (happily) middle aged woman living in Minneapolis working in IT. Not glamorous at ALL! 😂
truejabber@reddit
There’s still time!
kelllibrarygal@reddit
🤣🤣🤣🩷
ONROSREPUS@reddit
At 10 I didn't think about what I would be like in my 50's. In my 50's I don't care what 10 year old me was doing.
mstermind@reddit
I proclaimed at ten years old that I was going to be an author, an astronaut, and a teacher. Two out of three isn't too bad and I get to fly safely in space in my stories.
Inevitable-Pop-4547@reddit
Oh that's what happened?
Outside_Avocado8963@reddit
10 year old me would be happy to know that we broke the cycle of poverty that we grew up in. I’m not rich by any means, and mostly live paycheck to paycheck, but thankfully me and my kids never had to wonder where the next meal was coming from.
Plain_Chacalaca@reddit
Oh, I’d regale her with stories all day long, and I think she’d be really interested. 👍
BuzzFabbs@reddit
Vintage ‘67 here, and I’m closing in on 60 rapidly. My 1x year old self is in the corner crying and wondering what the hell happened to her knees!
D2Dragons@reddit
10 year old me would be in awe at this fat purple-haired old lady who loves kids, tells off color jokes, cooks a mean pot of chili, and gives warm hugs.
Master-Conflict481@reddit
10 year-old me would ask me why I didn’t become a crossing guard! That was my aspiration when I was dead.
Master-Conflict481@reddit
I have no idea why that says dead. Maybe 10-year-old was wondering how I was still alive after all the crazy things I did as a Gen X
OverMlMs@reddit
10 year old me would be really confused that I’m married with a kid instead of single and a successful FBI profiler. But I think she’d be happy that we successfully distanced ourselves from Catholicism, got into therapy, and we have a really hot husband :)
Cold_Martini1956@reddit
10-year-old me could not have even imagined how my life has unfolded and I wish I could’ve told her that that’s how things have ended up. I was shy and severely bullied for years. But I loved to sing. I wish I could’ve told her that one day I would stand on professional opera stages wearing gorgeous costumes and sing beautiful repertoire and people would applaud me instead of putting me down and tell me I was a failure. When I was 10, I thought vacations were for other people. As an adult, I’ve been to Europe and the Caribbean multiple times now. When I was 10, my bullies always told me I was unlovable and ugly. But I have married the most wonderful loving man who is my treasure.
MickLittle@reddit
10 year old me would be disappointed that I never worked in a fire tower as a fire spotter for the Forest Service, and that we don't own a horse ranch. But 10 year old me would also be thrilled that I retired from the wildlife department and have also traveled around the world to photograph wildlife.
Witty-Significance58@reddit
She'd be disappointed and sad.
Inessence4@reddit
10 year old me didn’t understand clinical depression and how debilitating it can be. Otherwise, I did all right.
Mortimer452@reddit
"My god you've gotten fat"
Inessence4@reddit
And gray!
Appropriate_World265@reddit (OP)
Ha yep unfortunately same!
Charliesmum97@reddit
I was suicidal at 10, so I think 10 year old me would be pretty happy we survived.
Inessence4@reddit
💜
InaccessibleRail70@reddit
10yo me would be like, fuck yeah! and pretty relieved. (Of course, 10yo me didn’t swear.)
ibtryn2@reddit
Fascination comes too mind! It's been a wild wild ride, and it keeps on getting better!
mjh8212@reddit
Wasn’t expecting to be disabled but 10 year old me would’ve loved what I do, reading a few hours everyday. I always liked books
Independent_Tough_81@reddit
Wrecked My back in '07, being med retired sucks, especially since I spent 4 years on minimal comp, then 11 more fighting with SSA...
Ive always been a big reader, but there are way too many days that's about all I can manage, some not even that...
False-Storm-5794@reddit
Ten year old me is looking through the list of cars I've owned over the years and is super excited.
WhiskeyAndWhiskey97@reddit
10yo me would be very surprised if she met 50yo me. My father had a plan for my life. I recognized that his plan didn’t align with what I wanted, so I did what was right for me. Different politics, different religion, entirely different city. Married with a cat (it was two cats, but older kitty passed away a few months ago).
Still a Trekkie. I would love to sit down with her and take her through the newer series as well as Babylon 5.
ww_adh77@reddit
10 year old me would be really glad to know that I still really love Madonna and Star Trek--and that 39 years later both are still going strong.
Ok_River6651@reddit
10 year old me would think at first look that I have my shit together, that I’m no longer scared, that I live pretty comfortably and probably wish I could buy her some toys…that is until I sit her down and explain I’m still pretty much her with an older appearance and a bit more money.
ahshucks54@reddit
Thank you for sharing. I commented something similar 🤗
ahshucks54@reddit
Ten year old me is celebrating our success. She’s grateful I survived all I did over the years and came out a successful woman that is not scared anymore. I talk to my inner child occasionally and I hug them.
Ok_Schedule5017@reddit
10 year old me would 100% understand why I haven’t talked to my sister in 4 years. Might be surprised by my job and disappointed by my financials. But glad that I have someone who is my ride or die for life.
Puzzleheaded_Low_619@reddit
10 year old me would Wonder I'm I'm living in a completely different state and why.
KC5SDY@reddit
10 year old me would think my job was cool.
TrilliumHill@reddit
10 year old me would be asking if I would buy him beer
Seabluele@reddit
10 year old me would think “yeah seems about right”. Not much has changed.
pentH2O@reddit
10 year old me would be so excited that I still have my best friend.
badteach248@reddit
10 year old me would be so stoked to get into my car and drive, or jump on an electric scooter and go to a store and buy practically whatever I want. He would less stoked by my coffee machine, or my profession.
Sea_Werewolf_251@reddit
Pleased that I did what I wanted with my life, surprised I didn't become a writer.
Adept_Push@reddit
I remember laying in bed as a kid counting up to how old I’d be in the year 2000 and thinking “Man, that’s OLD.”
Ha. I was 33 in the year 2000.
Decades ago!
Creative_Law6372@reddit
Same here. And feeling incredibly insignificant. Also scared the bejesus out of my mother when I flatly informed her I wouldn't live to see the year 2000. Almost came true in 98, but I was too dumb to know how sick I was. I got better.
Elegant-Error-8010@reddit
10 year old me would be happy we "grew up" and became more confident. While life hasn't been the greatest, it's still been a lot better than if I was still as shy and self-conscious as I was back then.
Buzzbait_PocketKnife@reddit
I’m in really good physical shape. I have an awesome wife of over 30 years, and a great daughter as well. My house is almost paid off, car is paid off, and I retire in 2 1/2 years from my career in IT.
I enjoy bikepacking, hiking, canoeing and yoga. I wrench bicycles on the weekends for free, for friends and residents of the tiny village where I’m an elected official.
Oh yeah, I also grow really amazing weed in the garden of my back yard, and have a crazy nice stereo and rock music collection in the basement.
Yeah, little me would be cool with big me.
Inessence4@reddit
You had me at “ crazy nice stereo”. Specs?
Fight_Tyrnny@reddit
ya, very similar. Maybe a bit different... as a 10 year old I was called "hyper" and they thought I had ADD and tried to put me on Ridlin (lasted a few months before it was pulled). Turns out I was actually this thing called "smart" and school was SO boring for me that I would sit there in math and just go forward through the math book and do the problems.
tommyalanson@reddit
Holy shit, are you me? We should hang out. I don’t grow weed, though, but I always have garlic in the ground, and I’m happy to not be elected to anything.
Unfortunately, I’ve got five years left, mostly because our girl is 17, and I’ll need the cash flow for college tuition soon.
🤟
Inessence4@reddit
10 year old me would think I was fat, not at all surprised I am single, and glad I have a cushy office job and own my own home. She’d also love all my cats. She may be slightly disappointed I didn’t leave my lame home town.
bexy11@reddit
Ten-year-old me would be disappointed I didn’t have a big wedding with a pretty wedding dress, never got married, god forbid never even had kids! All that playing with baby dolls for nothing! And she would be completely shocked that I spent 30 years living in big cities far away from my family. I would hope she’d see how strong I’ve become compared to how fearful I was of the world and people then.
Pypsy143@reddit
10 year old me would literally not believe my life.
I grew up in a very small town being bullied for being “the smart kid.”
I’ve been living in Los Angeles for 30+ years working in entertainment with every A lister you can think of, including all the idols I grew up watching like Henry Winkler, Dick Clark, Betty White, and hundreds more.
I’m married to a two time Emmy winner for 28 years and have the two most spectacular daughters a parent could wish for.
Nerdy, bespectacled, Star Trek fan, 10 year old me would be in absolute shock.
Catgirl1972@reddit
I think 10 year old me would be shocked to find out I never had kids, and really surprised that I live in North Carolina (I grew up in Connecticut). She would love my cats and dogs, though!
Nazz1968@reddit
He would think it’s cool that I’m still playing video games regularly. And still riding a bike, exploring the wilderness, and climbing trees when the mood strikes.
tauregh@reddit
What a badass! When I was 10 years old I loved the TV show Emergency! I took a tour of the local fire station and said I wanted to be a paramedic. It ended up being my fourth career, but now I’m the Fire Chief of a small department. Truly a dream come true.
smikkelhut@reddit
10 year old me would nod in approval that I still play the piano and I made a career out of being a computer nerd
retrokezins@reddit
It would be surprising I guess. Most of the stuff that has happened in life, there's no possible way I could have guessed half of it.
splorp_evilbastard@reddit
I live in a house over twice the size of the one I grew up in (and much nicer), I drive a Mustang, and I married a girl from California. Oh, and I still have long hair. 10 year old me would be impressed.
SpankyDammit@reddit
First of all, curse you for still having hair, especially long hair. Second, good for you, hope you make the most of everything.
splorp_evilbastard@reddit
😁
SpankyDammit@reddit
🤘
calmlikeasexbobomb@reddit
10 year old me would love my dog and LEGO collection, and that there are lots of computers and books in our own house.
mothraegg@reddit
My 10 year old me would be very sad that I don't own a horse. I grew up riding ponies and horses, but as an adult, I could never afford one. I still love them, but I just don't have the money.
MyLeftT1t@reddit
Yes, this! Never had a horse (city kid), have only ridden in small doses. But I was sure I was going to marry Davy Jones and ride horses all the time. All those horse books & movies! What was up with that?
MyLeftT1t@reddit
I would have been horrified that I look so much like my great grandmother, who died before I was born but who I thought was grotesquely fat and ugly (based on photos). She had age spots and gray scraggly hair! Flabby arms! A big tummy and hips! No fashion sense! (She must have been a horrible woman, I surmised.)
I would also be surprised to learn how little I am bothered by it now.
Gelisol@reddit
My 10-year-old self would have her mind blown. And might be excited for the life to come.
Addendum_Chemical@reddit
Probably proud, as when I was 10 we hit rock bottom. As an example, when we were hungry my mother went to McDonalds and grabbed ketchup packets to make "tomato" soup. Hungry where you tried to swallow air to see if it will make you less hungry. I latched onto Alex P. Keaton as someone to strive for. He might be sad I went the Community College, to State School to Private School for MBA, but besides that...
I am married, with a good job, a son and a wonderful wife. Make good money but didn't have to sell my soul. Have a large house, on track for a stress free retirement, and not having to worry too much on normal spending. Giving my son a better childhood than I had. Still have the same hobbies when I was younger.
Housing-Beneficial@reddit
Retirement?! Stress free? In this economy?
Addendum_Chemical@reddit
I count myself lucky. 50% hard work and 50% right time on things. Though I didn't get married and have kids until I was 40.
Aggressive-Compote64@reddit
Incredulous at the things I’ve seen and done. Found the love of my life and raised two kind and considerate children. Worked a career with a video game company. Sang the national anthem for the opening pitch of an MLB game. Traveled to places I had only seen on television. Got to see an active volcano and plan to see an aurora.
He’d be frustrated that it took me so long to do it.
Mysterious_Soil_1835@reddit
I guess living most of my life as a 25 year old and doing the things I wanted to do (alone or with others). I only settled down a married in my 40s. I think my 10 year old self would say, well I guess you lived through it all and he would be happy with the life I gave him. No regrets. Regret has no value.
s1l1c0n3@reddit
He’d wonder what went wrong and why I listen to such weird music.
Prestigious-Net9629@reddit
Is this it? Really?
We had so many plans at that age, and then reality got in the way!
PringleChief@reddit
You settled for this?
Next_Chapter_Now@reddit
Disappointed - I’m not a doctor and I don’t have a close relationship with my daughter. (I always envisioned doing better than my mom, where she was strict and critical - I went too far the other way).
Status_Iron_3706@reddit
Disappointed I didn’t become a famous drummer
acanis73@reddit
He would be surprised that im still here. Odds were against all of us.
BonezOz@reddit
He'd probably be pissed off because we were supposed to become fighter pilots. Little dude couldn't have foreseen our eyesight going to shit at 15.
Ok_Prize_8091@reddit
10 year old me would be majorly disappointed that I'm not famous, no white fluffy Persian cat , not wearing silk pyjamas, no mansion and that my hair isn't long like a princess ! and I'm not currently travelling around the world.
Emergency_Rutabaga45@reddit
She’d be amazed that I was still alive. At ten, I thought 50 years olds were ancient.
Winter-eyed@reddit
She’d wonder where my husband was and why doesn’t he help out? (at that age and time, I assumed all women got married and had babies and lived happily ever after. )
I knew divorce existed but I didn’t think it happened to anyone I knew. The only single parent household I knew of in our neighborhood was the older girl across the street and for some reason ai thought her dad worked overseas and came to visit (he didn’t - he was a married man that payed her Mom to keep quiet and stay away. It was her uncle that visited.)
Not long after 10 my next door neighbors divorced and as we were around to comfort her it came out that several of our crew had step dads but their real dad’s were dead beats. When I asked my older sister about it, I got the shock of my life learning that my dad was not her and our middle sister’s dad and that my brother had a different mom but that those parents had just skipped out on them and when our parents married, they had a hard time at first but eventually bonded especially when I was born because I was a product of both of them and I was their doll baby. That blew my mind.
Dr_Feelgoof@reddit
where are the saturday morning cartoons and cereal?
kalelopaka@reddit
They’d probably just walk past the gray haired old man without recognizing his older self. Otherwise, I built a good life, am comfortable and happy. But at ten career and family ideals were never a factor. I was too busy riding bikes and enjoying my childhood.
tothejenthpower@reddit
She'd be impressed, mostly at the offbeatness of my adult life. A weird, maximalist home, lots of cats, lots of goth-y clothing, the classic VW beetle I've wanted all my life, a fun, cute metalhead husband, a wfh job I love, time with assorted friends, time for making art and music.
Not a ragingly 'successful' life by the usual measures, but I don't think I have ever felt like that was my path - even as a kid, I was an artsy weirdo.
But my smartphone would really have blown my 10-year-old mind! My e-bike, too.
BizarroMax@reddit
Would have been excited I lived to see Y2K.
theclubchef@reddit
He would like me.
armsracecarsmra@reddit
Be amazed that I never made it to the NFL
LeighofMar@reddit
She would be so proud that I've done the things I said I would do. Started a business right out of high school, self-employed and WFH before it was a mainstream thing. Owning my current home outright. And still going out to play and having fun. She would be so relieved that I've reached the point of living my way and not caring what others think.
jacknbarneysmom@reddit
I think 10 year old men would be relieved that I made it to retirement with a house/cars that we own and not having to struggle anymore. I've been a worrier ever since I can remember so 'relieved' is everything to me.
Enlightenment72@reddit
Ten-year-old me would say, "I told you to get the hell away from those people and not look back the first chance you got! Why the hell didn't you listen?"
He'd be right, too. 🫤
brianbbrady@reddit
Based upon what tv I watched. The expectation of me being a drifter wandering the country helping people before moving on. Or an astronaut with a bionic body part. I would probably say my 10 year old self would be surprised at how much medication I am on and that I am typing this response on a smartphone.
Kate_Electro@reddit
10 year old me would not be surprised that I am a deadbeat.
Potential-Bluejay-50@reddit
10 year-old me would probably be blown away by my house and my job. Also pretty impressed that I mountain bike. I always like to ride my bike as a kid, but mountain biking is another level of bad assery.
Creative_Law6372@reddit
10 year old me would be dismayed that I hadn't become either a world famous thesbian or successful Discotheque owner. He most likely would be impressed by my ability to have a far nicer house than any he had ever been in at 10. These expectations might not match when put together, but hear me out. Creature comforts were not a big thing in my rather utilitarian upbringing, but what I craved was connection with as many people as possible.
Fwumpy@reddit
All wheel drive and a killer stereo? Cool! Same with the Dean guitar!
SocietyEmergency7411@reddit
10Year old me would be devastated knowing I couldn't have any children. She would be delighted to know I never got married ( declared at 5yo to never marry because I didn't like dresses or the fact I couldn't marry David Bowie or a Viking)
hippiestitcher@reddit
10yo me would be a little freaked out that my ideal fantasy family of 4 kids, two boys and two girls, born in that order, is exactly what happened.
stueynz@reddit
You work from home three days a week? You carry a combined computer/telephone/TV/camera in your pocket? You live waaaaay or in the country and keep cattle just because?
Man the works has changed in 50 years!
mr_chill77@reddit
He’d be super disappointed I still don’t have all five lions to form Voltron.
MaleficentAstronomer@reddit
There's still time
Dextropic@reddit
10 year old me would be mildly disappointed. 40 year old me would be MAJORLY disappointed.
MaleficentAstronomer@reddit
I feel this
ChiliAndRamen@reddit
In someways they’d be impressed, in other ways they’d be disappointed.
BigJLov3@reddit
He'd be too distracted to notice, and even if he did, he'd forget about me the moment I wasn't in his line of sight.
Crivens999@reddit
Disappointed financially wise and work wise (wanted to run a software house). But happy I have a pool. Then disappointed again that I rarely use it esp compared to when I was a half fish kid swimming every day in the free RAF base swimming pool
SeratoninSunrise@reddit
I’m pretty dope, and it shows. Even to a punk ass, 10 year old know it all
SeratoninSunrise@reddit
“…bitchin’…”
bassicallyfunky@reddit
Ten year old me would be enamored of the career I’ve mhad and the global travel I’ve enjoyed. She would say, “I knew it would take off soon as I left the house!”. She would be proud of my choice of partner, and giddy that I’d lived in England.
But most importantly, she would be thrilled to know I now have the dog that I’d daydreamed about having when I was 10. 🥰
NothingNewOnEarth@reddit
Congrats! Happiness isn’t having what you want, but wanting what you have. 😊
wikkedwench@reddit
Some Gen X are 60 and my ten year old self would burst into tears at the world now.
RevToy@reddit
Well I ride a motorcycle now, so I'd probably be pretty enamored. And 10 year old me would be super jealous I get to see boobs every day.
Hifi-Cat@reddit
Your a doctor. 😄
RevToy@reddit
No, married to a nurse with a nice rack.
chiaratara@reddit
Bummed I didn’t turn out to be a marine biologist and/or train dolphins. They would probably find me slightly boring but also maybe think I’m fun because I genuinely like kids.
Dry_Ad7529@reddit
10 year old me wouldn’t care - teenage me would be very disappointed in what I became.
JoeHaveman@reddit
Unrecognizable. How is this me?
Athos-1844@reddit
He'd recognize my eyes. Everything else is mostly different, but the eyes look exactly the same.
rogun64@reddit
Although I never achieved as much as I thought I would, I still think 10 year old me would be proud of myself.
MessoGesso@reddit
We still have that sadness that's more than sad, don't we?
Athos-1844@reddit
A combination of fatigue, regrets and disillusionment.
Athos-1844@reddit
The younger version of myself would be surprised I'm still alive, and disappointed that things really didn't change very much.
stuck_behind_a_truck@reddit
If you had told me my life now would be what it is, it would have been beyond my comprehension. I was pretty much locked in survival mode at 10. Now is so much better.
HalfaEnchilada@reddit
That made me smile. Im so happy for you to have a better way of life.
stuck_behind_a_truck@reddit
Thank you!
SeparateCzechs@reddit
Probably that I’m as chubby as Mom, but(hopefully) that I am as kind as Hero(favorite sister, now gone).
Competitive_Pea_3478@reddit
They’d be kind of fascinated with how boring my life turned out to be. Maybe a little sad that I don’t become rich, successful and married with four kids living in Colorado but maybe also understanding in ways no one earth could understand.
Hifi-Cat@reddit
Relived, proud & disappointed.
No_Alarm_3993@reddit
10 yo me would have been too ashamed and sad to continue. Early 50s and disabled. Worked in retail until my back broke ( literally). Got a useless college degree and never finished grad school due to an accident and my inability to continue financially.
Every_Selection_6419@reddit
You earned a degree! You went to grad school! You worked hard! 10 year old you would be proud of all of that!
Every_Selection_6419@reddit
Relieved & proud.
kirabug37@reddit
10 year old me would think my badass purple hair was amazing
FalseEvidence8701@reddit
10 year old me would try to be my counselor, while trying to make sense of it all in the process. The beliefs that ended up turned inside out, the cool things I imagined vs the wonky version they ended up being. Some things are. At the end, he might need counseling.
Winter_Throat3109@reddit
Ten-year old me would be pretty bummed to find out that I don’t have a boyfriend. Not surprised, just sad.
Alamohermit@reddit
10 year old me absolutely wouldn't believe the crazy shit I've done.
PlantMystic@reddit
She would say, "wow you are really old".
opinionatedhugger@reddit
10yr old me would be disappointed I'm not a marine biologist. She'd like that I was married but wouldn't quite understand why I don't have kids. She'd think I was nice and a good person to hug and tell things too. She'd like me but probably be glued to her phone, just like almost-50 me.
QuietStill@reddit
10 year old me just wanted a lot of pets and my parents wouldn’t let me. I now have two dogs and a cat. Feels like success.
Independent_Tough_81@reddit
He'd be pissed that I let so many people screw me over without exacting vengeance on a biblical scale !
Glum-One2514@reddit
10 year old me would find me super boring because I look like one of my grandpa's friends or a guy my dad knows from work.
If 10 year old me *knew* I was 56 year old him I guess he/I would be cool with it. I've lived the sort of traditional arc that I accepted as normal at the time.
AngryK9_@reddit
Disappointed that I'm not an officer on the Starship Enterprise...
NahNah-P@reddit
Oh I officially and permanently stomped all over 10 year old me and her dreams of becoming a veterinarian and having a huge family and a ranch. Literally none of it happened except i rescue animals and thats about it. I ended up divorced with 2 kids and a paralegal at 18, and several other jobs before I worked myself into the ground and can barely move some days now. I'm not yet 55 with the body of a 75-80 year old on the inside.
melanybee@reddit
Disappointed that I’m not a billionaire buying up and saving the rainforests like I had planned.
issafly@reddit
Disappointed that I'm not the helicopter pilot and submersible operator for Jacques Cousteau. I was pretty sure that was my trajectory at the time.
Typical-Office-2954@reddit
10 year old me would be super excited about how many Star Wars lego 54 year old me has.
bkward@reddit
And say you spent how much on that? WOW, you're rich!
Typical-Office-2954@reddit
Exactly! The funny thing is i wish i had 10 year old me's Star Wars toys! Mom got rid of them!
bkward@reddit
Oh no! 🤦♀️
Typical-Office-2954@reddit
Yeah, i'm still pretty chaffed.
Jew-zilla@reddit
10 year-old me wasn’t concerned with much past the next few days. I couldn’t think 40 years in the future, let alone have any idea of the direction in which I wanted my life to go.
MTSilverDude@reddit
Very happy and impressed how things turned out. Beautiful wife, awesome kids, cool vehicles, nice pad. Very happy with life…aches and pains caused by everything to get here…well..I suppose they are worth it. Most of the time anyway.
sfdsquid@reddit
She would be very disappointed and probably give up while she was ahead.
HalfaEnchilada@reddit
Can relate.
Odd-Ad-9858@reddit
Ten-year old me would be happy that I grew out of my ugly duckling phase.
Mumchkin@reddit
Damn, how are we still alive? (by the age of 10 I'd already attempted suicide once)
HalfaEnchilada@reddit
🫂
MaudieLebowski@reddit
I’m seven years over 50 now…but the 10 year old me would have never even possibly imagined that I would now be best friends with my 4th grade teacher and taught him how to grow weed in his basement. I would think I was pretty rad. I’m actually doing great! Happily married for 25 years so far with six kitties!
Jaded-Fan-4978@reddit
I’m also 57. Like you, my best friend is my high school French and Spanish teacher. I definitely wouldn’t have expected that. At 10 seeing a teacher outside of school was so unsettling. They didn’t exist after school. I’ve been married for nearly 31 years, and have two children. Those things didn’t seem possible when I was 10. I never pictured myself married with children for some reason. She’d be proud of the life she made for herself, and not at all surprised that my favourite thing to do is still reading.
KhunDavid@reddit
I ride in a helicopter as part of my job. 10-year old me would be stoked.
Adept_Push@reddit
My dad got his private pilot’s license when I was in high school. He was a lifelong flying enthusiast. His first job at 14 was pushing little planes out at a podunk private airport in Kentucky.
He got his Cessna when I was in college. Flying is so fun and I’d love to try for my license but it feels SOOO complex as a 58 year old.
I took my 84 yr old mom for our first helicopter ride in Vegas last Christmas. It was amazing.
healthyitch@reddit
I turned into my dad, responsible, but boring.
Zestyclose-Ad-7576@reddit
I think he’d be ok with me. I have a good job and do what I want, when I want. Also, I don’t have anyone pulling my strings. I always wanted “Fuck You” money, so I could feel free. I have it, and it is as good as I had hoped. “No” is my favorite word.
Adept_Push@reddit
My dad always taught me to have Fuck You money. I’m glad I listened. I miss him…he had the best advice.
GuidanceWonderful423@reddit
I think 10 year old me would be very surprised by everything we’ve done. She would certainly be surprised by the route we’ve taken. I really had no specific expectations then other than to go to college. We did that but everything else has been pretty much a surprise. Even then I didn’t tend to make a lot of plans. I think I already knew they wouldn’t turn out quite right anyway. Lol.
Adept_Push@reddit
True Gen X attitude. I’m right there with you!
PickledBrains79@reddit
She would be happy that she finally got a dog.
Adept_Push@reddit
I’m ALSO happy you got a dog.
What the heck, get another one (or two)! ❤️
Miami_Vice_75@reddit
HAPPY!
TheAmazingMaryJane@reddit
i never thought i'd live past 30, since i was young. i just couldn't comprehend it. i remember in 1999 they said some asteroid was coming in 2023 and would potentially hit the earth and i thought, who cares, if i'm that age i'll have had a long enough life and be so old. plus it's so long from now!
thank god the asteroid did not come.
MusicMan7969@reddit
10 year old me was obsessed with Corvette’s and had pictures of them on his wall. Fast forward through family life and I own a Corvette. 10 year old me would be very impressed.
tommyalanson@reddit
F yeah. The C4 Grandsport is my grail.
Padres_Guy2765@reddit
You’re pretty lame
Only_Presentation758@reddit
Disappointed I’m not a model/actress/clothing designer/band member/ballerina.
Ecstatic-Skill-4916@reddit
I was going to be an academy award winning director! But I hated film making when I went to college and hated everyone on "the business" more.
Only_Presentation758@reddit
I’ve never set foot in “the business” but can imagine almost everybody is odious. I witnessed some kick-em-off-the-ladder attitudes & plenty of fakeness & butt-kissing just in local rinky-dink media outlets so yeah, no thank you. Happiness & contentment over fame/fame-driven egos any day
DilbertDilbert1011@reddit
You’re reminding me of how shallow I was at 10 haha! You’re right, my 10 year old self would probably be disappointed to learn she did not go on to be Miss America or a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader…but then I could enlighten her on the realities of those trafficking rings. Eek. Thankful for unanswered prayers!
Ecstatic-Skill-4916@reddit
Yeah, I had a guardian angel when I was in my teens and 20s.
Only_Presentation758@reddit
Yep. My goal now is basically to be as unknown as possible lol
AbbreviationsGlad833@reddit
He said, Are there no salads in the future?
Gloria_S_Birdhair@reddit
Wow you’re significantly happier person now and it only took 40 years to happen.
crankypickle@reddit
That kid would be proud that I’m a happy and productive adult with a loving family. They would be surprised to know that none of her immediate family — parents, siblings — would be around in her adulthood. Bad luck and illness sadly came not long after for everyone but me…I don’t try to make sense of it — just keep moving.
midlife_dadpulse73@reddit
Well......he'd be jazzed as f*ck that all of the guns his GI Joe's had, he has in his own collection now 😁
LibertyMike@reddit
You got fat!
bikramchick@reddit
Young me would never believe how good my life turned out after such a fucked up childhood.
Yeti_Urine@reddit
How tf could someone even contemplate this question? I’m genuinely curious.
MorningBrewNumberTwo@reddit
Wow I survived! Where are all those neighborhood bullies now?
notade50@reddit
She would be shocked at how brave I am.
PowerNinja5000@reddit
10 year old me has no context for any of this. He'd probably just think I was another adult doing adult things he doesn't care about or understand.
Known_anonymously_as@reddit
This right here. Unless you’re an astronaut, police officer, or firefighter, 10 year old anyone would like only care that we make enough money to buy every Transformer, GI Joe, and, depending on when born, Atari or Nintendo game available.
UnitedSouth9508@reddit
My 10-year old me would be so impressed by 51 year-old me having such peace and a lack of fucks to give what others think of me 🌗
Chinamaxi@reddit
Ten year old me would be thrilled to know she can have breakfast for dinner. And no-one's going to stop her!
just1here@reddit
10 year old me would like to have a word
Substantial_Layer_79@reddit
They'd be pissed.
toad_01@reddit
He’d be amazed that he’s still alive. For some reason he didn’t think he’d live past 30.
DynamiteWitLaserBeam@reddit
Same for me.
doubleohzerooo0@reddit
10 year old me would be AMAZED at the many twists and turns of my life so far.
Married 35 years
5 kids
Owner of 2 separate bonsai businesses.
Spent 9 years in the Navy.
Involved in an actual naval battle.
Been to every continent in the world except Australia and Antarctica.
I broke bread with Masai warriors under the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro.
I broke bread with indigenous people of the Amazon rain forest.
Sailed around the world. Twice.
Sailed the straits of Magellan. I did see Antarctica, just didn't set foot on it.
CleMike69@reddit
10 year old me would say holy shit! 💩
New-User9585@reddit
She would go absolutely bat shit over my dogs. I wish I could show them to her. ❤️
Careful_Equipment401@reddit
But you do ♥️ Everyday
luvapug@reddit
She'd be very disappointed that she didn't marry a rockstar
MaximumJones@reddit
Careful_Equipment401@reddit
Butt-Head never lied 🤣
HeyKrech@reddit
Ten year old me would be absolutely gobsmacked that my job pays me to build weird stuff with kids. Totally wild. Best outcome ever.
LeadingResearch9528@reddit
10 year old me would think 51 year old me is the coolest human ever… because I’m still her and still think I was the coolest kid ever.
electromouse1@reddit
She would wonder why I live in the same city as my parents. But otherwise she would be psyched that I have my own refrigerator full of treats! That was my biggest dream as a kid. That and being able to go to Michaels and buy anything I want.
WTFudge52@reddit
Wow all that fuks up when and you made 46. I have questions.
Available-Bison-9222@reddit
10 year olds thing 50+ is ancient so I guess I'd think I was ancient. I'd probably be disappointed that I'm not more glamorous and I'd think I was a bit fat. 10 year old me was very judgy.
WorriedCress7965@reddit
He'd be very disappointed that we're not an astronaut.
econkle@reddit
My 10 year old self I think would be proud. We didn’t compromise and we made it.
voidchungus@reddit
She would be thrilled and relieved. I'd give her a warm hug and tell her to hang in there, she's gonna make it.
Weak_Break239@reddit
“What.. happened… 🙁”
Poultrygeist74@reddit
“Hey, you’re not dead! That’s cool I guess…”
infamous-hermit@reddit
Would be kind of impressed that I left the shitty town where I was born.
Would be kind of disappointed that I haven't become a renowned writer.
Would be surprised to have children.
DameKitty@reddit
10 yo me would love my life. Two kids, awesome better half, a cat, 2 big gardens, crochet and craft closet, my own sewing machine, control of the remote? TWO bookcases full of just my books?
10 yo me would think I've got the best life ever, and she would be right.
T_Noctambulist@reddit
I forgot for the bookcases, 10yo me would definitely recognize great grampa's pair of office shelves but wonder how they got so much taller (new bottom shelf fits atlases) and would straight up not believe I built the third set on the other side of the library by hand.
DameKitty@reddit
Maybe in 5 years (when the baby is in school) I can look into building a better book space than the bookcases I have now. Lol. I have a book on building custom things like that! My goal is to build one that has a giant couch nook in the middle, with reading lights on either side.
ShirleyApresHensive@reddit
Things didn’t turn out how I expected, partially just because I really didn’t have plans at that age.
Ten year old me would cringe at what was ahead but would take a lot of interest in what I had to share.
Cubbance@reddit
"So, um...we never get over that whole being fat thing, huh?"
Fritz5678@reddit
Hit...um, yeah, more like closer to 60. At 10 I had no idea of what it would be like to be an adult. But I don't think I would be disappointed.
user86753092@reddit
Today, I’d be pretty impressed with me. Not every day, but I did good work today.
EachDayIsDayOne@reddit
My 10-year old me would be very disappointed. But 60-year old me is mostly happy.
Interesting_Item4276@reddit
As a 10 year old and an only child I just knew I’d be surrounded by a big happy family. Instead I fit here alone scrolling Reddit. 😌
Queasy_Barnacle1306@reddit
He’d think that I was filthy rich. We grew up fairly poor.
hugatree2023@reddit
She’d think I was a badass but be disappointed that I’m not as fast as I used to be.
Affectionate-Cow3737@reddit
I couldn't believe im still here
Yada-Yada-Yadda@reddit
Same
DeaddyRuxpin@reddit
He would be pissed that I work a desk job. He would be stoked that I married someone way out of my league.
T_Noctambulist@reddit
I'd be amazef at my job, my salary, my marriage, my cars, and my house.
I would express this by saying "hey you fat old fuck, put the twinkie down and run from something"
egordoniv@reddit
Damn, that bitch works too much.
Careful_Equipment401@reddit
LOL facts
Careful_Equipment401@reddit
I think 10 year old me would say: You did many of the things I most wanted to do & you turned out to be a pretty cool old broad🔥Good job!
YerMan4Craic@reddit
He’d be wicked proud but 100% dissatisfied w/my current salary (I agree).
socgrandinq@reddit
He would wonder why I look like his father
RedJerzey@reddit
They would be super proud..... as long as no one mentions 25-35...lol
silverladder@reddit
He’d be pretty happy knowing that he ended up getting paid to speak in front of audiences and did dozens of TV interviews. The 10 yo version would have done that for free.
properwaffles@reddit
He'd be amazed at the programming stuff I do, but he'd be confused as to why I'm not skateboarding anymore.
platypus5709@reddit
I was bullied by the cool girls when I was 10. As sad as this is, those girls permanently damaged me and caused me to not trust people. I don’t have a lot of friends still because of how much they hurt me.
Donuts__For__All@reddit
I’m so sorry. I was not a cool girl. Not even in the least.
Somehow, I escaped bullying. Idk how. I would have been a perfect target because of no parental support.
Beautiful_Secret_834@reddit
10 year old me would probably wonder what the actual fuck this adulting bullshit is and how it’s over rated.
UsedWelcome5903@reddit
Forward_Success_2672@reddit
Great disappointment
GaryNOVA@reddit
10 year old me didn’t associate with weird 46 year olds.
I-used2B-a-Valkyrie@reddit
😂
KriKri2You@reddit
10 year old me would be so proud of the way I lifted myself out of where I was. So proud of what I had achieved. So thrilled of what lies ahead. And yet so mystified as to why I am slightly overweight!
I-used2B-a-Valkyrie@reddit
I am proud of you!
And if you’re not living in the southern US, let me tell yall. Around here, our motto has always been “a little weight on a woman’s no harm.” They look at skinny folks sideways. ❤️
Fire_Doc2017@reddit
10 year old me would be excited that I’m re-discovering things I liked back then. Coin collecting, hypnosis, fantasy and science fiction, fishing etc.
HueBris75@reddit
That I’ve got some cool ass baseball cards
tc_cad@reddit
Probably wonder how I turned into my own Dad.
Beatrix_Kitto@reddit
I don’t remember 10 year old me. I don’t have any solid memories before like age 15. But 15 year old me wouldn’t believe the things we’ve done, places we’ve seen or the life we live currently. But I think she’d high five me and think it was all pretty cool.
Mistervimes65@reddit
10 year old me would be astounded that I’m still a huge nerd at age 60 and be surprised that I’m still making new friends everywhere I go.
drewyz@reddit
10 year old me would be very impressed with my Lego collection.
grayhairedqueenbitch@reddit
Elderly GenX, so I'm 60, but 10 year old me would be thrilled with my Barbie collection.
I-used2B-a-Valkyrie@reddit
10yo me would be exploding with happiness. We survived a horrible childhood and we are happy, healthy, grown, kind, gentle…we have horses and dogs and two amazing kids we just adore, a wonderful husband who is our best friend and the most supportive person I have ever met, really wonderful close group of friends who absolutely ARE the village, and a lovely house in the country (used to inner city co-ops and roaches and rodents in childhood.)
Truly living our best life. Never could have imagined it, it feels better than a Disney movie. I am grateful every day.
Calliope_Sky@reddit
52 year old me is happy for you and proud of you, internet stranger!
Nalemag@reddit
10 year old me would be extremely disappointed that there is no Porsche 959 in the garage.
alwaystenminutes@reddit
For 10-year-old me it was a Citroen Goddess.
Personal_Secret_234@reddit
I loved Citroen 's there was a dealership near me until they were no longer allowed to be sold in the US.
Misterhan1@reddit
Get a 997 turbo. Porsche caught up to itself with this car; twenty years later with the same performance. Relatively cheap compared to 959 prices today and will still keep up with current super cars. 🙂
Imverystupidgenx@reddit
I had aspirations but life led me down a different path.
I don’t think he’d be proud of me. I doubt very much that he’d even like me. He’d just be disappointed.
IntelligentNovel1967@reddit
Ten year old me would never have dreamed that ’we’ would move countries and have a career halfway around the globe from our mother.
Think_Welder3430@reddit
“Wow. You’re tough. Nancy Drew would be proud.”
HandaZuke@reddit
At ten years old, I couldn't have imagined this life because the work I do now didn't exist yet. The concept of ensuring digital products are usable for people with disabilities was not a career path in the eighties. However, I did achieve my dream of working at a video game company, and I eventually joined the very education firms that helped me manage my dyslexia as a child. While the industry has changed in ways I never saw coming, it is incredibly full circle to be using the same technology that once helped me to now help others.
Personal_Secret_234@reddit
Ditto.
I do ADA work also.
Digital accessibility sme .
Nixon was the president who kicked off the ADA Act but I was too young to understand what it was about at the time. Dyslexic also. I love to help with IEP's and assist parents in getting the reasonable accommodations their children needs.
High five HandaZuke!!
I had no idea what a screen reader was at 10 because we had no home computers and they didn't exist then Now I have 2-3 on laptops for testing and reporting. I won't even go on about Dragon Naturally Speaking.....
slr0031@reddit
I think 10 year old me would be happy how I turned out
MakeItAll1@reddit
Cool. You’re an art teacher. You get to make art all day long, and no stupid English teacher is going to tell you what a waste of time it is to draw.
Mysterions@reddit
10 year old me would be disappointed that I didn’t conquer the world. 13/14 year old me would be pissed I didn’t make it to the NBA.
tjean5377@reddit
Wagons are lame but thats a fuckin awesome Subie turbo...
Look at all the dogs and cats!!!
Still into Star Trek!!!
You married who?????
trainsacrossthesea@reddit
“You used to be golden”
newwriter365@reddit
I’m sitting in the yard behind my house by a campfire tonight (winter deadfall). Ten year old me would think:
Shell-Fire@reddit
10 year old me was swooning over ornate curtains for the living room of my future home. I'm pretty sure they were brocade.
PuzzleFly76@reddit
10 year old me: “OMG, why are you in a wheelchair? I thought we were gonna be a pilot and date flight attendants?!”
Old me: We’re gonna get a thing called MS. Oh, you’re going to stress a lot about various things as you become a teenager and in your early 20s. Don’t. None of it really matters. Enjoy the healthy time while you have it. Another thing, you know how mom gets on your nerves sometimes? Go easy on her. It turns out, she’s the only real friend you’ll ever have and she will take care of you for a looong time.“
Personal_Secret_234@reddit
Wow...
Chrissy086@reddit
🫂🥺🥹
Ecstatic-Skill-4916@reddit
You are explaining life.
cleveland_leftovers@reddit
This is sweet and sobering. I hope you’re doing well.
CyberJaxWabbit-1312@reddit
10yr old me would be utterly mesmerized with and amazed by 53yr old me 😋🤘🏻
SwivelTop@reddit
My 10 year old self would think adult me was delusional and everything is my imagined reality. I never, ever expected for my life to be this good. My childhood was filled with pain, poverty and abuse. Now I am a physician who has healthy and loved children living in a home where all my bills are on auto-pay.
I am presently outside with my teen daughter tending our small flock of chickens. I have no idea how I got so freaking lucky. Part of me thinks I will wake up from this and be back in the trailer parks wondering who mom brings home tonight.
Personal_Secret_234@reddit
Wow ... That's fantastic....good for you !!! 😊
saposguy@reddit
My 10 year old would be ambivalent. 15-18 year old would be so so disappointed. I was a runner, a cyclist, out hiking in the woods every chance I got. Now I can't bend over and I can't remember when I actually ran anywhere or rode a bike. I'm married, have a kid, financially secure, house, good car, but not like I imagined my life would be.
Admirable-Currency89@reddit
Wrote a letter as a 1st grade assignment in 77 that said I wanted to be a computer engineer and work at NASA. My 1st grade teacher showed up at my college graduation and gave it to me. I'm a software engineer and worked several years at Blue Origin. I suppose 10 year old me would be all "Figures".
Personal_Secret_234@reddit
Congrats on hitting your goal! I worked at NASA for 8 years. It was the best job of my entire adult life. I would work there again even if the job was sweeping 🧹 floors. I loved the environment and my co-workers.
Admirable-Currency89@reddit
I mean, it was just 100 luck. It wasn't actually something I thought would happen being from nowhere. I didn't strive, I just loved software building. I just was really good in math and development....got lucky to work throughout the Seattle region and got snagged by Blue Origin for awhile. Life is funny.
PlatypusDependent271@reddit
10 year old me would would be disappointed that I didn't become a ninja. Then he would be surprised that I'm a chef and get to play with knives and he would probably ask if I could make him a grilled cheese sandwich.
Tall-Nectarine202@reddit
I’d be so happy! All I wanted was multiple kids and a 2-story house and I got both! Still very happy with this!
ljlkm@reddit
10 year old me could not fathom that 50 year old me is doing this well. It's almost too good, honestly, because 16 year old kid has lived my best childhood and takes it for absolute granted.
Diela1968@reddit
Probably sad about the cancer I survived, pissed off that moving from my small town grade school to a medium town junior high bullied all my leadership qualities out of me, and shocked that I never took any kind of shop classes because I was a girl.
Personal_Secret_234@reddit
Congrats on beating cancer!
Just had an organ removed last week because of tumors. I think your 10 year old self would think you were a total bad ass for surviving cancer ! 👍
LayerNo3634@reddit
My 10 year old self would think I'm cool, my 18 year old self would be appalled. Don't care because I'm happy.
MultiverseTonight@reddit
I don't think 10 year old would care about 50 year old me.
Jowlyface@reddit
Having my thing for red heads start about that age, my 10 year old version would be thrilled
Multigrain_Migraine@reddit
They'd think I was horribly uncool for not being a pop star.
Mash_man710@reddit
"Dude, you have a wife and a house and a car? COOL!" Ten year old me was an idiot.
Plenty_Cress_1359@reddit
Don’t worry… despite what your math teacher said you ABSOLUTELY WILL have a calculator with you wherever you go!
Chrissy086@reddit
🩷
gargle77@reddit
I have everything 10 year old me ever wanted so I think he’d be really impressed 😃
BerryMantelope@reddit
10 year old me wanted 2 things: to have a horse and to be a vet. I didn’t make it in to vet school but worked with animals for a long time, and finally got a horse at 32. And now at almost 61, I have the pony I dreamed about as a kid!
Personal_Secret_234@reddit
Congrats!!! I'm happy for you !!! You sound happy 😊
Personal_Secret_234@reddit
My 10 year old self would say... Where are the Jetsons cars we should be flying now and WHY are you living there!!!
Far_Satisfaction6600@reddit
My 10yr old self would ask me if I was ok.
My 10yr old self would be disappointed. My 10yr old self would not believe I am me. My 10yr old self would turn and walk away. My 10yr old self would make believe.
Chrissy086@reddit
I completely understand 🫂
Ok_Math_59@reddit
Ouch! I just wanna hug 10 year old you , heck, I think I wanna hug current year old you! Reading your comment just got me right in the feels 🥺
UberBricky80@reddit
"We have a 850hp mustang??? Sweet!!"
Solid-Wish-1724@reddit
At 10 everyone said I was the spitting image of my dad. Now at 55 I look like my dad at 63.
BearlyLV@reddit
Ten-year-old me would think I really got it together, (even if I'm not sure I do) because ten-year-old me was a major mess.
dirthawg@reddit
He's an scary asshole but he was great guns, motorcycles, and plants
Careless_Ocelot_4485@reddit
I know they’d be over the moon we have a dog and a cat. A good home that’s peaceful and an interesting career. Plus all the good art supplies we could ever want. I like to think they’d be happy we escaped a difficult home life and my parents’ difficulties didn’t become mine.
cutie_k_nnj@reddit
Fuckin’ heretic.
Budinct@reddit
Would be shocked that my drawing skills hadn’t improved one bit
dirthawg@reddit
Same
purpledottts@reddit
What a loser
Thirty_Helens_Agree@reddit
“Aw, shit - I go bald like Dad.”
dirthawg@reddit
Yup
TalkOk4096@reddit
So disappointed.
TabuTM@reddit
Disappointed.
dirthawg@reddit
At least you're honest.
6volt@reddit
Where are the flying cars?
pomdudes@reddit
Disappointed I’m not a world famous farmer
Dogzillas_Mom@reddit
I look and sound like Grandma. Did not see that coming.
daphatty@reddit
I don’t think I was self aware at 10. Life back then was such a blur.
potterinatardis@reddit
10 yr old me would kick me in the shins and steal my wallet.
Chrissy086@reddit
🥁😂
JediKrys@reddit
They would be wildly disappointed! I totally thought I’d be either a dog breeder of highly sought after sled dogs or a pretty famous writer. I work in a 9-5 at a hospital. I was a highly motivated kid who struggled with their childhood and couldn’t get past it enough to hit those high achievements. But I’m happy with who I am and that’s all that really counts. My job is fun and rewarding in other ways.
nothathappened@reddit
Ten year old me would be proud, I think. I taught English, I always loved reading. I have a bunch of kids (4), I was always a baby person. And I figured out how to be happy, and safe.
melty75@reddit
Ten year old me would just think I was an old, crabby looking dude. Upon further review he would be impressed at old he's video games and collectibles. Life didn't go as I planned, but it's still great. Every day above ground is a good one.
Chrissy086@reddit
Same! 💯🥂
Fun-Room-6501@reddit
How cool that you made most of your dreams come true ❤️ Keep going!
Embarrassed_Bag53@reddit
I’d see someone who got where I was headed, albeit by a different route that I imagined. I admit I never thought about being retired, or having kids/grandkids, but am thrilled they are now a huge part of my life.
Warm-Discipline5136@reddit
Impressed honestly.
Hunigsbase@reddit
I don't know how but I pretty much did exactly what I said I was going to in my letter to My Future self.
lisep1969@reddit
She would be so disappointed, I know current aged me is.
Mysterious-Ruby@reddit
I'm sure when I was 10 I thought I'd be a happily married grandma. I also wanted to be an astronaut.
I'm not any of those things, lol. But my thoughts about life at 10 were too basic to really think about it.
Inevitable-Ebb2973@reddit
I’m much cooler than I thought I’d be. 🤷🏻♀️
Embarrassed-Cause250@reddit
Mean looking crabby ole lady🤭
Romaine2k@reddit
I never had a concept of what I wanted so I think 10 year old me would just think I’m old and unattractive.
BmanGorilla@reddit
Ten year old me would wonder why I was still not satisfied despite having everything that I dreamed of at that age.
No_Maintenance_9608@reddit
He would be pretty disappointed.
skunkyskunked@reddit
I don’t think 10 year old me would be overly impressed with 50+ me, except for the fact that I actually did move away from the country where I was born and raised. As a kid I’ve always known i wouldn’t stay. I think 10 year old me would just be surprised it was Canada and not somewhere else .
IM_The_Liquor@reddit
Let’s see… I was a soldier, I got to use all kinds of guns, rockets and explosives, I jumped out of planes, rappelled out of helicopters. Roughed it in jungles, deserts, the Arctic and did so while being the grumpy but invincible sergeant…Not to mention to a hobby I would trek solo through wilderness man hasn’t set foot in, sometimes for generations. Paddle into creeks and swamps where if something happened rescuers probably wouldn’t show up. I’ve hunted nearly every legal big game animal in North America, I can fix machinery with nothing but a few tools, pieces of scrap junk and some imagination…
10 year old me would be running around with a stinger 24/7 if he knew half the stuff I’d get around to doing, and most of it within the next 30 years.
Ecstatic-Skill-4916@reddit
I'm a loser.
Appropriate_World265@reddit (OP)
How so? Most people get down on themselves sometimes for whatever reason, comparisons with other peoples lives mostly.
Question is I think, are you are bad person? If the answer is no, then you're not a loser in any way, you're better than half the population of the planet. They're are so, so many sociopathic arseholes around who tend to get into positions of power, they have money, but they're not winners in any other way.
If you have done bad things, then spend the rest of your life trying to make up for it. We only get one.
Ecstatic-Skill-4916@reddit
You asked what my ten year old self would think of me. I don't think that as an adult, but as an adult in education? That would have been horrible to me as a ten year old. I hated grown ups back then, especially educators. That's the beauty of growing up.
2PlasticLobsters@reddit
[Sigh...] Yeah, pretty much what I expected.
mer_made_99@reddit
Greatful i saved her and gave her a safe and stabile home with a cat.
Simple_Finding9309@reddit
Love this! Yay you!
SnowblindAlbino@reddit
When I was ten my grandparents were the age I am now (almost 60). They mostly sat at home and watched Lawrence Welk and Hee Haw on TV, or at least that's what it seemed like to me then. So I guess I've done well by that standard.
XanaxWarriorPrincess@reddit
I would be disappointed.
2ndChanceAtLife@reddit
Not too shabby! After being poor & broke all my life, such a gift to make it to financially comfortable.
Huskerdu4u@reddit
He would be stoked! I have been married to a girl for 30 years…. I have two great sons. But 10yo me would be thrilled to have Dad’s 70 Monte Carlo, and the Hot Rod, bike, and my little machine shop! I wish I had his energy!
MajYoshi@reddit
Right on.
phred_666@reddit
“God you’re a fucking mess”
SassholeSupreme1@reddit
She would’ve been shocked but on some level not surprised that you made it out of that religious cult. Amazed at your kickass career that let you basically party with rock stars. And even grown me couldn’t believe it when I finally did get married. It turned out pretty good, with the exception of losing all my family members because of my choice to walk away from a religion.
beezeebeehazcatz@reddit
High five! Leaving a cult and losing your family is hard and sucks goat feet.
Making my own family and awesome life is definitely something my 10 year old self would be proud of.
hapster85@reddit
Damn you're old
Fattydaddy1000@reddit
Fucking disappointed
phunkygroovin@reddit
10 year old me would be absolutely disgusted with myself and want nothing to do with her.
Zen_Hydra@reddit
Ten year old me would be disappointed I hadn't died from misadventure long before turning into a decrepit old man. Fifty year old me feels the same way.
beezeebeehazcatz@reddit
Time to take up mountain biking! (Or, from what I’ve heard… pickle ball.)
1funnyguy4fun@reddit
Well quit fucking around and go rob a bank.
Adventurous-Egg-8818@reddit
I'm on the wrong thread.. I'm GenJones but it still applies!
GalianoGirl@reddit
Amazed that we survived the threat of nuclear war.
I saw a movie prop ICBM around 8 years ago when driving. I felt sheer terror. I did even know I remembered what they looked like.
mizuaqua@reddit
Probably shocked that I never got married, never had kids, and did not obey my parents. And that I play instruments for my own interest. And that I live across the world from where I was when I was 10.
RedditSkippy@reddit
Shocked at where I’m living (NYC) and not somewhere that’s summer all the time.
Other than that, I’m not sure what, at 10, I thought my life would be like as an adult. Maybe I assumed that it would be like my parents?
tacosandtheology@reddit
Too old to pit, but still banging my bald head at underground shows? Dang, I'm cool.
ConsequenceNational4@reddit
He'd aak me why i didn't make more money? And why Im not with anyone/single. I don't have the answer for either. Life's cruel joke.
Epicassion@reddit
Pretty happy not to wear second hand clothes, own a house in a decent neighborhood and a nice budget to buy items that I want.
TurboLicious1855@reddit
Shocked I'm not only still alive, but I'm ridiculously old, how AM I still alive. Oh and wow you got married? And had a kid? Now I know you aren't me so go away clone or robot or whatever you are
EnvironmentalEar8634@reddit
He'd be disappointed I'm not the next Evil Knievel
MissDisplaced@reddit
10 year old me would be pretty happy at what she achieved. Advanced degree, house, career, world travels, sailing, LA, bands, concerts, a few famous people. Things I never thought I’d get to do as a ten year old in a small town in 1977.
canuckEnoch@reddit
Ten year old me pined for R/C toys that I never got. He would be absolutely blown away by my drone, and mystified that I don’t spend every spare minute flying it.
gcawad@reddit
Dog, you’re old.
Impressive-Shame-525@reddit
He'd be super excited he didn't have to worry about food.
And impressed with Air Conditioning and central heat.
And he'd be floored about his future super hot wife.
Ok_Math_59@reddit
She’d be dang proud !!
Bokononfoma@reddit
Confused that I'm not married, but super glad I have a dog.
Icy-Tomorrow-576@reddit
That I am old and boring. Also, not a movie star. Lol
jbarinsd@reddit
10 year old me would wonder how I got so fat.
Impressive-Shame-525@reddit
Yup.
Kind_Worry_9836@reddit
What? You don't ride your bike anymore?
vivacycling@reddit
He ask what's a Product Manger then he would be impressed that I married a doctor
bene_gesserit_mitch@reddit
That I look like my dad.
ennuiandapathy@reddit
Ten year old me would be excited that I’d gotten out of poverty. And probably disappointed that I hadn’t done any of the things I wanted to do - especially becoming an astronaut.
Breklin76@reddit
Wow! He got the big TV.
Real-Emu507@reddit
She'd be happy I'm still the same weirdo and that I spend most of my adult money on metal concers 🤷♀️
Kind_Worry_9836@reddit
What are some memorable metal shows?
Jolly-Guard3741@reddit
I think that 10yr old me would respect what I’ve achieved. I accomplished most everything that I wanted at age ten and learned a lot along the way.
Of the things that I wanted and didn’t accomplish there were some definite reasons why they didn’t happen.
tandem_kayak@reddit
10 year old me was ensnared in an absolute shitshow of family drama. She would have been so happy to know she would find a way out and have a happy, boring life.
Appropriate_World265@reddit (OP)
Thats great; boring is way, way better than family drama. Especially when you're a kid.
tandem_kayak@reddit
I wanted boring so bad...
zombie_spiderman@reddit
"Oh my GOSH that's your TV!?!"
ZeroCalorieCoffee@reddit
You TALK into your WATCH?!
Thirty_Helens_Agree@reddit
Wait - that little thing in your pocket is a computer? And it makes video phone calls like on the Jetsons?!
ZeroCalorieCoffee@reddit
And you have ROBOT to clean your floor?!
Appropriate_World265@reddit (OP)
Thats a good one, that massive THIN tv would have been mind blowing!
zombie_spiderman@reddit
"Let's watch the first Avengers movie."
"The FIRST Avengers movie!?!"
SavoirFaire2Middling@reddit
And your bike has fifteen gears?!
LoreKeeper2001@reddit
She'd be dismayed at how fat I got, but pleased I had a successful marriage and career.
National-Net-6831@reddit
It’s so much better!!! Being 10 was awful.
notevenapro@reddit
Rad!
Reddiculusness@reddit
My 10 year old self would think I was wilder than my Crazy Uncle ...
Entire-Flower1259@reddit
He’d be devastated. Everything I wanted from age didn’t happen.
TexasRN1@reddit
My 10 year old self would be ecstatic that I finally lived my dream of moving to California. It started when I was 10, and took 36 more years to get there!
Somedaydreamer22@reddit
She’d be very disappointed.
More_Law6245@reddit
You're old ..... really old.
tranquilrage73@reddit
I would have been stunned, actually, at how my life turned out.
The first 33 years of my life were an endless stream of bad decisions, bad luck, and fuckups. The last 20 have been amazing beyond anything I could have hoped for.
Unlikely_Answer662@reddit
Yeah, I should have been thrown in jail for some of the shit I pulled in my youth. Luckily I got my shit together at just the right time and live a great life now.
tranquilrage73@reddit
Also. No recorded evidence. :0)
MuttsandHuskies@reddit
Oh my God, are you me? Cause amazingly yes that’s exactly my life.
ridbax@reddit
Ten year old me would be mildly surprised I have very cool collections of rocks, fossils, and seashells—including the ones I collected when I was her—but otherwise would be 'meh whatever' like she was toward any adult.
Seventeen year old me would be greatly relieved to learn she would be making a fine living despite being convinced the only thing she was any good at was art.
Electronic_City6481@reddit
Well, I’m not an archaeologist that yields a whip in precarious situations rescuing women and artifacts from nazi’s, but I love my wife and kid and get out fishing once in a while, so that should settle him.
pmbpro@reddit
My 10-year-old self be proud because I did and earned exactly what and where I’d wanted and planned to be. At the same tome, I’d be a bit surprised too, that I’d even survived all of the ridiculous (and at times dangerous) bullshyte I had encountered and had to go through to get here. All of this, despite the so-called ‘family’ I was stuck with, growing up as a child. My patience and planning before I was old enough to leave on my own, paid off.
I wouldn’t want to relive my youth. ‘Now’, is my best life.
DilbertDilbert1011@reddit
Me too! Cheers!
pmbpro@reddit
Awesome! Same to you! 👍👍
Sintered_Monkey@reddit
10-year-old me wouldn't have had too much of an opinion, I think. But 16-year-old me would have thought that I'd met the coolest old dude on the face of the planet. "That weird old man lives life on his terms!" I'd think.
So I guess even if I didn't succeed by many measures, there's always that.
I wouldn't have done it any other way.
revolutionoverdue@reddit
That guy is super old.
Correct-Condition-99@reddit
I've been doing exactly what 10 year old me wanted me to do (FF for over 30 years) so I'm guessing the little tyke would be pretty thrilled.
DilbertDilbert1011@reddit
The only metric that matters in life imo! She would be soooo happy and excited to live this life. I made all her dreams come true, brick by brick, with no support from anyone.
mobilene@reddit
He’d be relieved that I’m happy.
Korvanacor@reddit
It’ll be ok as long as I can convince young me that Darth Vader also used CPAP.
danby999@reddit
10 year old me would say...
"What the FUCK?!?!?!? Why does everything hurt?"
Appropriate_World265@reddit (OP)
Lol yeah I know what you mean. Huh, why cant I touch my toes anymore?!
MollyMoMoMags@reddit
Shocked that I don’t have 7 kids. I come from a big family.
dirtybo0ts@reddit
I’m the youngest sibling and the daughter so caretaking for both dying parents “naturally” fell on me over the last 15 years, and while my life during that time was absolutely not what I had planned, now that the caretaking dust has settled, 10 year old me would look at 47 year old me and say “you’re now living the dream, kid.”
Married the woman of my dreams at 40; bought a house the same year (with the mortgage paid off this year 🤘); childless by choice; semi-retired by choice.
Currently just living a chill life and teaching myself how to renovate our home.
Elegant-Particular49@reddit
Ten year old me couldn’t fathom being 20 let alone 50! But he’d probably think his future self was pretty cool because of all the tattoos and the motorcycle he rides
JoyfulNoise1964@reddit
Wouldn't believe I can't run fast anymore
Appropriate_World265@reddit (OP)
That hurts. I've not run fast for about 20 years. Maybe we should join a gym...
JoyfulNoise1964@reddit
My knees are shot from running everywhere as a youngster!
Antique_Row7245@reddit
About the same
stevemm70@reddit
First off, 10 year old me would be surprised that there hadn't been a nuclear war that wiped out civilization. I was 10 in 1980, after all, and at that time it seemed like a foregone conclusion. Second, 10 year old me would probably be a bit disappointed that I wasn't cooler.
alwaystenminutes@reddit
Oooo ... That's right. I remember thinking none of us would survive the Reagan/ Thatcher years. Also, I thought when I grew up I'd be like Suzi Quatro. (I was, for a little while, but if 10-year-old me met me now, she'd think I turned into my mother. Not that that's a bad thing ...)
One-Sock7417@reddit
10 year old me would be happy and impressed I made it out of that hell hole alive and well. Married, own my home and retired at 54. I say job well done.
Appropriate_World265@reddit (OP)
Wow good job. I can't see myself retiring at all currently. You must have beaten the odds.
aint_no_disco_@reddit
Thank goodness we got better looking and why don’t we have a pool?
BoogerPicker2020@reddit
10 year me would be totally bewildered but would be pretty impressed at by old me's record collection
Flaxscript42@reddit
I look damn cool in my gas-mask.
iyamsnail@reddit
Ten year old me would honestly think everything worked out as planned. And she would be happy to hear I was now no contact with our parents.
Appropriate_World265@reddit (OP)
Thats great for your adult self! Crappy you had to do that though. Way too common an experience.
AZJHawk@reddit
10 year old me would be pretty happy with 50 year old me. Married, good job, three great kids. I’ve gotten to travel all over the country and internationally. I’m pretty content with my life.
I never had dreams of being a star athlete, or president, or rich. I have always just wanted to live my life
Exidor@reddit
Very, very jealous of my Lego collection.
Unusual_Memory3133@reddit
I’m 60. I think he would like me just fine.
Jas62021@reddit
She’d be proud.
Appropriate_World265@reddit (OP)
Thats great to hear, care to expand?
shady_sheepie@reddit
I'm about to hit my 60s, 10 year old me didn't know people got this old
Appropriate_World265@reddit (OP)
So true, early 50's here, I cannot believe it. 10 year old me used to jump off swings and high walls, for fun! Now stepping off a high step is "gah"
44_Sunflower_44@reddit
Younger me would be sad to know where we landed. All the things we didn’t do. All the things we lost. Sigh. 🩷
Environmental-Egg893@reddit
She’s cool. Has a nice house and a sweet car and no man around complicating her life or telling her what she can or can’t do.
Dazzling-Tiger-396@reddit
He would turn and walk away. “Meh. Whatever.”
FKpasswords@reddit
What a “nice, friendly, old fker”……
Vast_Needleworker_32@reddit
She’d be shocked that I was happy that I stopped getting my period. She’d also be happy to see that I grew into my huge front teeth and they’re nice and straight now.
I was a late bloomer who went through a pretty rough awkward phase between 10-14 years old!
alwaystenminutes@reddit
Your comment made me think of my sister who really didn't start to bloom until she was about 17. She had a bunch of things that kids get bullied for - glasses, buck teeth, late puberty, asthma, bad temper ... She ended up being awesome - clever, happily married, owns her own business, has a lot of friends. I'd love to be able to tell 10-year-old her that it was all going to work out just fine.
StormStorySpinner@reddit
10 year old me would be overwhelmed by many things. I'd be impressed with my tattoos, my 'to be read' piles of books, my degrees, my circle of friends, my super cool kid. I'd be surprised I carried on without my dog and Oma who were, at 10, my best friends. I never would have imagined myself a widow and a cat person. I would be sad to learn I never got to dance on Soul Train. I also never got trapped in quicksand, so reading how to traverse it in the Armed Forces Survival Manual was pointless.
Mulliganplummer@reddit
I think they would be proud. I have been through hell with mental issues and I am at 50 in a good place. They would probably scoff and roll their eyes when it comes to some life choices, like my first marriage.
aburena2@reddit
I think 10 year old me would look at 60 year old me say. Damn, you’re old!
BaldAndOld@reddit
My parents were driving 10-year-old me around in a Chevrolet Citation that I HATED so he’d have absolutely loved my fancy SUV with all its cool gadgets and turbos. He’d love our fancy town house (so much nicer than the rented town home we were living then), and really REALLY loved my monster gaming computer, tvs and Xbox consoles and all other gadgets. But would probably be very disappointed there is no pool and shocked at how grown up my daughters would seem
Nervous_Ad_1585@reddit
I don't know but last month I went to pro wrestling for first time and I bet the 10 year old me would be stoked
calculon68@reddit
10 y.o. me wanted to be a Starship Captain. He would've thought that I settled early.
Pose2Pose@reddit
He'd be very confused and disappointed (and would probably start being depressed a few years sooner than I originally was). He'd wonder why I left religion, he'd be sad my marriage is struggling, disappointed I never fully achieved my creative and career aspirations, and would cringe at my bald head and fat belly. Hopefully, it would scare him/wake him up enough to do things differently, though who knows if that means it would play out better or worse.
diedforyourzyns@reddit
Fuck you got fat
Coffey2828@reddit
Disappointed. My 10 year old self thought we would be super rich and living large
it_diedinhermouth@reddit
10 year old me would think “well it’s pretty much what I thought I would be doing and I’m not as bisexual as I thought.”
tandem_kayak@reddit
10 year old you was aware of bisexuality?
AuroraDF@reddit
10 year old me didn't have plans. But she would be absolutely astounded at my 'huge' (not now) salary and wondering why on earth I was living in England.
danielkemp90@reddit
Happy I still have a full head of hair, other than that finevi guess, could have been worse possibly
Solid_Study9188@reddit
My 10 year old would be amazed and happy that I turned out to be independent, content, and kick ass!
LyricalKnits@reddit
10 year old me would think “Holy crap! I’m gonna be even more awesome!”
JuJu_Wirehead@reddit
Probably that I was going to hell.
Legitimate-Dot9908@reddit
Happy with our cats, happy we are safe, happy to have food and clean clothes and a clean home. Ugh sad.
OreoSpeedwaggon@reddit
ZeroCalorieCoffee@reddit
heh heh old people heh heh
🤘🏾🤘🏾🤘🏾🤘🏾🎸🎸🎸🎸
SavoirFaire2Middling@reddit
"You make all that money, but it appears that you can't even afford Twinkies and Ho-Hos?"
jayjaynorcross@reddit
“Oh so we didn’t become an astronaut? Did we at least discover a new dinosaur? No? Oh.”
Curious_Owl78@reddit
She would love my badass Jeep
Taxibot-Joe@reddit
What would 10 year old me say? “What do you mean I lived? That was not the plan.”
Sorry, younger me. Should have gotten away from those fuckers and handled my shit a lot earlier.
IfICouldStay@reddit
I think 10 year old me would be a bit impressed.
whatiftheyrewrong@reddit
She’d be a little blown away. I got out of our rough neighborhood, went to college, then grad school, have a good career, married a good guy. The imposter syndrome is real but I think she’d be proud.
PepperCat1019@reddit
You don't have a pony😥
Bookofdrewsus@reddit
10 year old me would be very confused. And there is probably nothing I could say to clear up that confusion.
“Sorry kid, shoulda stayed in 1987.”
Keefer1970@reddit
10 year old me would be thrilled that I have a dog, since I never had one as a kid.
He'd probably also be pissed at me for selling our comic book collection years ago.
antisocialdecay@reddit
Pretty shocked. Married, two kids, on second mortgage. Cool video games though.
boston_homo@reddit
Deep disappointment
TheEvilOfTwoLessers@reddit
I don’t remember being 10, so I’m not sure.
PrisonNurseNC@reddit
She would be happy I made it out.
PahzTakesPhotos@reddit
"Wait... we go even more deaf?!"
"Three kids? We don't even like kids!"
"We're a grandma!?"
"We have tattoos!? Mom and Dad are gonna be so mad!"
"WHEN DID THEY DIE?!"
"Wait, so we do get to carry a calculator in our pockets everywhere we go?"
I don't even remember what I wanted to be when I was ten years old. Probably an artist or a horse trainer. I was a mediocre artist and I have never owned a horse to even begin learning how to train them.
Itchy-Grapefruit2756@reddit
Hed be surprised i made it.
elphaba00@reddit
Probably shocked that I'm married and have kids because 10-year-old me was convinced I was a weirdo and loser. Also probably shocked that my advanced reading levels didn't really get me that far in life.
FlexibleIntegrity@reddit
My 10 year old self might be surprised that I’m still around. I don’t really recall back then of wondering how my life would have turned out…that probably would have been too heavy to think about for my 10 year old self.
Neat_Ad_3268@reddit
She would be so disappointed Why don't you live on Mars?
Julian_Thorne@reddit
My 10-year old self couldn't imagine me now. I work in a playground and play in a workground. I did it my way
itsshakespeare@reddit
They’d be pleased that I found the love of my life and that I’m happy. They’d be a bit disappointed (in a nice way) that I didn’t end up learning how to do everything, but I think they’d appreciate I am still learning
MaximumJones@reddit
My life got exceedingly more interesting than I ever dreamed when I was 10.
LivinghighinColorado@reddit
10 year old me would be amazed at where I am, but still call me a dipshit to my face.
Flaherty_Joanl@reddit
10 year old me would be shocked I'm still here. There was a long stretch where that wasn't looking likely. But I made it and I think that kid would be proud of that.
4estGimp@reddit
"How did you fuck up everything?"
Altruistic-Panda-697@reddit
He’d be happy with the end result
NachosforDachos@reddit
They’re definitely wondering what happened to the hair