Write a note to my younger self about something I know now that I didn't know then

He has no integrity. You see it now, even though you don’t understand the word yet, and you can’t understand why the rest of the world can’t see it. I still don’t know why the rest of the world couldn’t see it, but in the end they did, and acted on it.

Stick to who you are. You are much, much stronger than he is.

Niel

On your way to and from work you walk past the sports centre. You see the people in the gym, you smell the place, hear the sounds, and you are repulsed.

I know you won’t believe me, but exercise is a lifesaver. It will help to save your life.

I’d strongly suggest that you walk in the door, walk up to the front desk, and sign up. You’ll get preferential rates if you show your staff ID card, and in any case you can easily afford it. It would be better yet if you send in the form that comes with your letter of appointment.

If you do this there is a fair chance that you’ll not spend a year putting the pieces of yourself together again.

If you’re wondering why I’m talking about this, remember that word disthymia that you discovered? You have it. You won’t be able to get help for it, and all I can offer you is exercise. It helped pull me through a lot of stuff you don’t have to go through.

Do sign up for those Welsh classes as soon as you can. If you do it now you’ll be speaking Welsh before you leave Wales.

Yours sincerely
Future Niel

Get her in a dark corner and kiss her soundly. The sooner the better. Yeah, it will complicate things, but things are going to get complicated in any case.

Just do it. Trust me.

Future Niel

You don’t know the first thing about girls. It would make sense if you made some plan to see more of them outside of class. Join a society or something. You may spend money on social things, that’s OK.

Niel

The sergeant who mindlessly tries to humiliate you (and a lot of other people) will fall under a train and lose his legs a few years from now.

I hope you’ve started that diary. The events you are about to go through will be just a footnote to history, if that. If you don’t write about it you won’t be able to read about it.

Niel

Congratulations on completing basic training! It was exhausting, so don’t feel bad about almost not coping towards the end: you’re not the only one.

When it comes to second phase training, pay more attention at selection and try to become a signaller. They’re more your kind of people than the storemen. But you’re going to have a good time, anyway.

Some advice that can prevent a nasty accident: watch out for power lines when driving around with tall antennas.

If you start keeping a diary now you will never regret it.

Sincerely
Niel

You’re in the Air Force now, though it won’t be for long. You may be bewildered and culture-shocked, but you’ll get over that soon enough. The best thing you can do for yourself now is to get a well-fitting pair of boots before you do even a single day of training.

Sincerely
Niel

You’re about to leave the school system and go on your own. This is a good thing, but there are going to be bumps. Like Euclid said, “there is no royal road to geometry”: you’re going to fail a few math exams, because you don’t yet grasp the incremental nature of learning. But don’t fret about it, you won’t be sorry for the course it gives to your life and it will hardly affect your academic career.

If I were you I’d start making an effort to have a social life. It’s important.

Oh, and start getting fit. In a year or two you’re going to be in the infantry.

Niel