If I were to start again, I would do everything perfectly.
That’s the benefit of hindsight.
I’d sleep for exactly eight hours every night.
Every day I’d eat three square meals with balanced nutrition.
Every week I’d manage my finances and save every penny so that I can buy a three-bedroom house for my perfect family by the time I’m thirty.
But first, I’d travel the world: learning every language, exploring nature, absorbing culture and cuisine.
After I’ve got my two degrees of course.
So, I’d study through my youth to get the perfect grades.
But not too much, I still need perfect friends.
Maybe I’d go to a party, but I’d never get drunk nor touch a cigarette.
I’d always wear the perfect amount of makeup and do my skincare nightly.
But of course, I wouldn’t start my skincare too young, that would harm my skin barrier.
And don’t worry, I’ll wear sun cream every day.
I know I won’t have my parents for long, so I’ll spend time with them.
But not too much.
I know how important that teenaged distancing phase is.
My hair will always be in perfect, tidy curls.
‘A curler’ you say? Oh no, don’t you know what heat does to your hair?
I’ll donate to charity every month.
Which one?
Environment? Mental health? Homelessness? Animal shelters? Humanitarian aid…?
The list goes on, I can’t decide who needs me the most.
Maybe I’ll just donate to them all.
But not too much.
I still must save.
I’ll never consume too much, or too little.
No more than thirty minutes on a screen.
10,000 steps every day and meditation in the morning.
Ten years of work experience by the time I graduate high school.
I think I should have a dog. I should learn to cook. To garden. To write. To paint. To play chess. To sew my own clothes.
I need to be the perfect mother. Wife. Friend. Daughter.
I should run a marathon. I should write a book. And maybe win an Oscar, for the acting career I have on the side.
I’ll clean my bedsheets every week and use silk pillowcases.
What kind of chopping board should I use again?
Plastic? Wooden? Metal…?
If I could start again, I could try and do everything perfectly.
Or I could try just living instead?
Oct 21, 2025
Oct 21, 2025 at 9:10 AM UTC
If I were to start again, I would do everything perfectly.
That’s the benefit of hindsight.
I’d sleep for exactly eight hours every night.
Every day I’d eat three square meals with balanced nutrition.
Every week I’d manage my finances and save every penny so that I can buy a three-bedroom house for my perfect family by the time I’m thirty.
But first, I’d travel the world: learning every language, exploring nature, absorbing culture and cuisine.
After I’ve got my two degrees of course.
So, I’d study through my youth to get the perfect grades.
But not too much, I still need perfect friends.
Maybe I’d go to a party, but I’d never get drunk nor touch a cigarette.
I’d always wear the perfect amount of makeup and do my skincare nightly.
But of course, I wouldn’t start my skincare too young, that would harm my skin barrier.
And don’t worry, I’ll wear sun cream every day.
I know I won’t have my parents for long, so I’ll spend time with them.
But not too much.
I know how important that teenaged distancing phase is.
My hair will always be in perfect, tidy curls.
‘A curler’ you say? Oh no, don’t you know what heat does to your hair?
I’ll donate to charity every month.
Which one?
Environment? Mental health? Homelessness? Animal shelters? Humanitarian aid…?
The list goes on, I can’t decide who needs me the most.
Maybe I’ll just donate to them all.
But not too much.
I still must save.
I’ll never consume too much, or too little.
No more than thirty minutes on a screen.
10,000 steps every day and meditation in the morning.
Ten years of work experience by the time I graduate high school.
I think I should have a dog. I should learn to cook. To garden. To write. To paint. To play chess. To sew my own clothes.
I need to be the perfect mother. Wife. Friend. Daughter.
I should run a marathon. I should write a book. And maybe win an Oscar, for the acting career I have on the side.
I’ll clean my bedsheets every week and use silk pillowcases.
What kind of chopping board should I use again?
Plastic? Wooden? Metal…?
If I could start again, I could try and do everything perfectly.
Or I could try just living instead?