As another birthday has gone, and strolling around our beautiful village in the Nouvelle Aquitaine, I’ve been thinking about what I might have done differently in my past, and mostly this centres on the days of my degree.
Having been chair of my students union for 2 years, standing up at meetings, debating with people etc, people always gained the impression that I was confident, but on a one to one basis I was monstrously shy. As I approached 23 I was still a virgin, but not only was I a virgin, I had never had a girlfriend! I had been desperate to go out with Marion, with whom I worked when starting my degree, and Sam, who was studying the same time as me, was just gorgeous, but I did nothing! Instead, there was an embarrassing one night stand with Debbie, who managed to manoeuvre herself into my bed for one night, who was very nice, but she so obviously wasn’t ‘the one for me’!
I met someone shortly after completing my studies, we started going out (the effort involved in me getting to ask her out was something to behold), and we were married just over a year later, and still are, but what would I do differently? As my sons seek advice I am never able to speak from experience. My shyness meant I had few friends and no girlfriends, but when I think back to Marion and Sam, I wish I had done more. I am happy now, but there is so much in my youth that I missed out on, with so many regrets that follow on from this.
What would I do if I lived my life again (after my school days - would never want to go back to then!)? Hope you don’t mind me using this as a free therapy session!