Member-only story
Lessons I’d Give My 21-Year-Old Self
If I could go back, these are the things I’d want my younger self to know
At 21, I met my ex-husband, moved in together, got pregnant, and got married all in the span of approximately four months. Three years later, I’d be a divorced mother of two going back to school so I could support myself and my kids.
From the moment I met my ex-husband, my life was put on a path completely different than the one I thought I’d be one. Although I knew I wanted to get married and have children one day, I hadn’t planned on it being right then. And I certainly hadn’t anticipated being divorced and dating again as a single mother — or as a woman in my 40s.
Some of the years in between then and now have been wonderful and some have been the worst ever. And while some of the worst couldn’t be avoided even if I wanted to (such as my grandmother passing away), there are some things I’ve learned that, had I known then, would have made the bad years at least a little bit better.
Save money for yourself even if you don’t have a job
When I got pregnant with my first son, I had a pretty good job. The pay was decent, it had good benefits, and the hours were good. Had I chosen to keep working or become a single mother, it…
