Advice we’d give our younger selves. Words by the Offspring Community.

SNEAKERS

Kickin’ off with our favourite subject, sneakers! They ain’t just footwear, they a symbol of your style and swagger. But hey, many of you were onboard with this piece of advice for your younger selves: Don’t let them kicks define you. Sneakers are just shoes, bro. They don’t make you a better person or give you mad street cred. It’s all about how you carry yourself, how you treat others, and how you hustle to chase your dreams.

“Just go for it, whatever it is, you only get one go at this! And don’t wear those OW 5s to the park on that overcast day, it’s gonna rain, and they ARE gonna get f- - ked! 😂” stewart_oliver

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“Buy them Sean Wotherspoons for £325.” ca_james15

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“Take pictures of all your sneakers. Even the beaters you will chuck out. Trying to remember, Google or describe a pair to someone after a while hurts your brain!” mm_sneakers_mm

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“Those OG Chicago AJ1 you got in 85/86 and just beat up and threw away as they were ‘just trainers’... prob worth keeping them!” trainersarealsoforwearing

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“Take advantage of smaller shoe size pricing! 😂” kabirpurewal

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“Be more selective in your pairs. Rookie year had a litter of mistakes and a lot of pairs that I missed on!” mike_nificent_lifts

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“Wear what you like, don’t follow the hype. But bloody wear them!!!!” danhess13

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“Always have notifications on👏” elrothwell

EDUCATION

Next up, the education game. What backpack full of wisdom did y’all have for your younger selves? Listen up people ‘cause we about to school you on the do’s and don’ts of surviving the education hustle. Get learning!

“Boy stop chasing dem girlies and listening to men shouting all over records, and focus on your books!” deanyboy72

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“Study hard in school and your parents are always right 😅” cj_swoosh

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“Education might stop, but learning is forever. Get used to it.” narahnoirefidem

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“Bro, write a book about some young wizarding student with a lightning bolt on his forehead quicksmart!” kokonis_kicks

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“Just appreciate life and people. The school day might seem long as a child but honestly, I wish I could go back. This 35+ hour week ain’t the one!” mikesknowsbest

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“Enjoy your Skool life… Because afterwards it’s about work, work, and more work 😢” smellnicey

FRIENDS & FAMILY

When it comes to friends and fam, lemme give y’all a flavour of what you be sayin’. First things first, don’t sweat the small stuff, kid. Friends may come and go, but family is forever. Don't be a fool and take ‘em for granted, ‘cause they got your back, even when you mess up big time. Keep your circle tight, like them skinny jeans you be rockin. Never forget to show love to those who hold you down.

“Never forget the golden rule – Your mom is always right!” shivani29k

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“People come and go in life but you realise who your real friends are through the hard times.” dmoss10

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“Look after your elders, you’ll be one, one day. roo757

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“Appreciate the time you have with others. Life goes so quickly and sometimes ends unexpectedly ❤️” millzgp

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“Keep your circle close and focus on what’s important.” mysnkrjournal

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“Be true to yourself and surround yourself with people who are too.” nickythevleuten

POSITIVE ATTITUDE

So, what y’all got to say about keepin’ those positive vibes? Don’t be trippin’ on the small stuff, lil’ homie! Life’s too short to be all sour-faced and salty. Embrace the good times, even when things get rough. Keep hustlin’, stay true to yourself, and always rock that contagious smile.

“A dream is worth nothing if you leave it on your pillow… GO GET EM!” squadgigantic

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“Do what makes you happy, have no regrets ❤️” kaur.kicks

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“You better strap up those AM95’s real tight and brace yourself for the ride. Enjoy the life you have and try to make the most of every situation because we’re not here for long, and not everyone gets your chances.” thefreshprinceofair

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“You’re doing an amazing job! Being a teen mum, I doubted myself but when he graduated it was like ‘WE’ graduated 🥰” misssousa_

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“Run the day or the day runs you – stay 100% positive, all ❤️🤜🤛” balding_boomer

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“Never leave yourself thinking what if. Always try and push yourself out of your comfort zone and take the risks.” tash_mas

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“I’d tell my younger self to Choose joy, Plan Joy, and to go with your heart and gut – it’s usually right. ❤️❤️” thisisvasleon

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“What you do and the way you behave when no one’s looking is just as important as when all eyes are on.” kaff_official_insta

SPORT

If I could drop some mad wisdom on my younger self about sport here’s what I’d say, and I know it be resonating with the Community; Remember, it’s just a game, so don’t lose your mind when your team loses. No need to throw a tantrum like a toddler on a sugar rush. Take it on the chin and move on, my bro. Life’s too short to get all worked up over a bunch of dudes chasing a ball. And don’t be no bandwagon fan either!

“Being a spurs fan will make your hair fall out 😂” lucky13kicks

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“Learn to use your left foot too!! ⚽️” terencedon

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“Arsenal will bring you a lot of pain!” love_thy_creps

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“Bet £10k on Leicester to win the premier league in 2016!” leed2136

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“Maybe just wear those lycra cycling shorts for cycling and not as a fashion statement – no one needs to see that. Don’t then replace them with MC Hammer pants either.” m1schief_maker

MONEY & INVESTMENT

Y’all dropped some mad knowledge for your younger selves on this subject. Offspring HQ, best not read this bit. First off, stop blowing all your cash on those fancy sneakers bro. They might make you feel fly, but trust me, they won’t pay the bills. Don’t be falling for those get-rich-quick schemes either. Ain’t no such thing as a free lunch, ya feel me? Oh, and one more thing; NEVER, ever be lending money to your ‘shifty’ cousin. We all have one in the fam, and you ain’t seeing that cash ever again.

“Buy all the bitcoin you can and sell early November 2021.” lovesneakershatesneakerheads

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“Don’t seek money 💰 purely for the sake of money ­­– seek fulfilment 🥰 and money will come.” ewing_73

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“Buy flats in Shoreditch, Hackney, & Whitechapel… 🏢💰” benji_james96

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“Lol get a paper round, even if it’s only to buy a pair of LA Gears.” bobsondabeat

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“Firstly don’t chuck them Pokémon cards away which you been collecting for a lifetime 😂. Save from a young age, and take advice from the elders more seriously.” nour_al_lion

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“I would tell myself to save and travel more instead of being a Craig David song and out raving 7 days a week 😂 and don’t give away your kicks to friends!” cl_air_max1

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“Enjoy the freedom of youth without the constraints of mortgages, bills and children, but put money away to start investing as soon as possible.” jonpt999

BE KIND

So, listen up, lessons for the younger selves about being kind, here’s what you all seem to be sayin’. We know life can be tough sometimes, but that’s no excuse to walk around with a face like you just smelled something funky. Instead, spread those good vibes like peanut butter on a sandwich. Be the dude who’s always ready with a smile and a fist bump. Don’t be no hater either, celebrate other people’s success like it’s your own my bro.

“Appreciate all you have, as what you might think isn’t good is another person’s dream.” thisiswonderk

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“Be kind to yourself. You’re doing better than you think.” afroking_jonty

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“Treat people how you want to be treated. Be confident in everything you do. Cherish every moment with your loved ones because tomorrow is never guaranteed.” rbaybay

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“Be a good person and humanitarian! Never fall into a self-anxiety trap and keep pushing yourself even if you fail.” mr.jibbles86

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“Sit next to the new kid in class ❤️…and it’s okay to fail and try again.” smalllz10

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“Treat people how you expect to be treated and remember manners are free. Trust is gained and respect is earned and it works both ways! ❤️” mckeownnicole

HEALTH & APPEARANCE

Damn, there was some straight talkin’ here, and a lot of you be relating. First off, tell your mini self to put down that bag of chips and step away from the soda. We know they taste like heaven in a bag, but they’ll turn you into the Stay Puff Marshmallow Man before you can say ‘gym membership.’ Instead, start eating those greens like your life depends on it – trust me bro, it’ll make you look fly as hell.

“Stay fit now, it’s so much harder when you’re old. Oh, and don’t buy all those shoes, no one needs that many.” jaywdee77

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“Don’t try and grow a beard until you’re at least 21 😂” morethangreene

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“£2.99 Chicken and Chips everyday seems a good deal, but you’ll pay a lot more later G 😏” prozech

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It’s never that bad and there’s always a solution to the problem. And don’t dye your hair black when you have bleached your hair 😂😂😂 purdster7

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“Appreciate your hair while it's on your head! 😂” ste_myself_n_i

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“Enjoy the way you look, you will never look this good again 🤣🤣” carnage_kicks

LIVE IN THE MOMENT

Community peeps, see if this rings true. If I could drop some mad knowledge on my younger self about living in the moment, here’s what I’d say. Embrace the adventure, the past is history, the future is a mystery, but the present is a gift. So, unwrap that gift and live it up.

“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” – F. Bueller turkishdcypha

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“Enjoy life, don’t wait for your retirement. Explore do what you want to do. Now that you can.” mongvasquez

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“Don't spend so much time on Instagram.” michaelcdaly

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“Don’t live to regret things. Live YOUR life. THIS IS NOT A DRESS REHEARSAL.” gregsweethughes

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“Life is too short. Don’t waste your time 🕰️ it is so valuable. Travel around the world and explore different cultures.” es_f.p

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“Tomorrow is never guaranteed 🔥” benny_snkrs

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“Enjoy every moment never take anything for granted, focus on today and not tomorrow ❤️” sneakerroom_hampshire

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“Stop having dreams of your future. Start turning those dreams to real NOW.” new_kickzontheblock

DON’T...

And lastly, wisdom you’d give your younger self ‘bout what not to do. First off, don't be a fool and try to impress them wannabe tough guys. Ain’t no need to be doing dumb-ass stunts just to prove you got street cred. And hey, don’t even think ‘bout tryna rock them baggy pants that keep fallin’ off your butt. That trend’s gonna fade quicker than that NFT shit. Finally, don't be messin’ with them love triangles, ‘cause that drama ain’t worth it, my bro. Keep it real, stay smart and stay outta trouble!

“Don’t get married 😅. Trust me it was like that movie ��� Gone In 60 Seconds 😂” crepbizzle

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“Don’t download Instagram and buy what you truly like.” oblikick

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“Don’t sell the MK2 GTi, GT5 Turbo & RC30 750. Enjoy life more, don’t stress as much & buy what you like not what others do.” mcgintyscreps

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“Don’t watch the news for fk sake!” ben__madd

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“Don't be in a hurry to grow up. It’s a scam 😂” gadgetsboy

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“Don’t follow no hype or trend. Wear what you like.” ghostxsg

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“Don’t take life too seriously nobody gets out alive anyway!” chelseaa_warnerr

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“Don’t choose a career in Graphic Design, dont ever use Comic Sans!, and stay the f––k away from Canva!!!” kalsi