My Old Ass
On Elliott’s 18th birthday, she and two of her friends decide to blow off any other plans they might have (including the family birthday party at Elliott’s house) and go camping on a small island and take hallucinogenic mushrooms. Her friends are tripping and Elliott is feeling disappointed because she is not, but then her 39 year old self shows up to give her some life advice. 39 year old Elliott suggests that she should spend more time with her parents and her brothers, and that she should avoid a guy named Chad. Of course, Chad shows up, and Elliott has to figure that out, because 39 year old Elliott was cryptic and did not tell her why to avoid him.
What follows is a lovely coming of age film set in rural Ontario, about living in the moment, not in the future or the past. I liked this movie a lot. I liked that 18 year old Elliott was kind of a jerk to her family and totally oblivious of that fact, because she’s self-centered and looking forward to life in that specific way that we can be at that age, especially when one is counting down the days before leaving for college. I liked that 39 year old Elliott thought maybe there might be better ways to treat your family. I liked that Elliott was a capable, smart girl, and her friends seemed to be as well. I liked that her family was loving and caring.
After we saw the movie, we discussed what advice we might give our 18 year old selves. I would tell younger me that once I moved away at 21, I would never live in the same city as my mom again, so I should spend more time with her. Younger me would also not worry about upsetting my mom, and ask to meet my dad and my sisters sooner.
What would adult you tell 18 year old you? Any good advice on living life?
28 Comments
Maya
I heard about this movie on the radio and I love Aubrey Plaza and I *absolutely* want to see this! Glad to see you’re giving it your seal of approval :). I might try to get the girlfriends to go to the cinema this week if our schedules work out…
First, I would tell my 18-year-old self to eat a sandwich.
J
I hope you can get out to see it, and have some popcorn. Or a sandwich, in honor of your 18-year old self.
Michelle G.
I love Maya’s comment! Yes, I would also tell my 18-year-old self to eat a sandwich! I wonder how much more fun I would’ve had if I wasn’t so hungry all the time!
J
Gosh, that age is tough for that, right? When I see young girls with that angry look on their face, I wonder if they’ve eaten anything today.
nance
(First off, I have to say that the title of this film is terrible. Ugh.)
I wish I could say that I’d tell my younger self not to worry so much and to not be so intense about everything. But then I wonder–if I weren’t so intense and worried, would I have accomplished what I did? Would I have attained the level of excellence that I did in my school and career? I don’t know. I do know I have a big streak of perfectionism, and it’s not always easy to live with. But it also made me good at what I do.
I guess I would just tell my younger self that everything really will be okay.
J
You’re right, it is a dumb name for a movie. It makes sense within the film, but I’m pretty sure they could have found something better. I like your message to yourself.
Kyria @ Travel Spot
I agree with Nance re the title… however, it seems like an interesting movie. My 39 year old self would tell my 18 year old self that even though things seem hard now, they will get harder, so enjoy the fun times. I would tell myself to be more forgiving of myself and of my friends, as everyone makes mistakes and nobody is perfect. I would tell myself that the grass is not always greener, so sometimes it is worth staying the course. However, I think that most of the decisions I made when 18 may not have been the best ones, but they have led me to where I am now, and I am okay with that, so I guess I would also tell myself to just keep doing what I am doing!
J
There’s truth there, isn’t there? I wonder how my life would have been different if I had even the changes I suggested? Maybe I would have gone to college in Portland so I could be closer to my dad and sisters, and then I would not know Ted, which would be a horrible change from reality.
Suzanne
This sounds kind of adorable.
Oh boy. I have NO IDEA what I would tell 18 year old me. (As if she’d listen.) Maybe “pick a focus and STICK WITH IT”??? And… “don’t worry so much about making OTHER PEOPLE happy or about what OTHER PEOPLE might think”????
J
It was really cute, I liked it.
Ernie
I have not heard of this movie and it sounds like something I’ll like. Hmm, advise for my 18 year old self? I’d probably start with ‘Just get a teaching degree’ – which would imply that it was dumb to listen to the mom I babysat for (spent more time at their house than my own) who told me not to be a teacher, because I’d never meet a husband. I’d also tell myself to relax – everything is gonna be fine. I might also inform myself that my sisters were never gonna be awesome to me, and allowing distance to grow between us back then instead of trying for years to fit into the mold that they created for me, just move on.
J
Interesting advice. Most of the teachers I know are married. What was that person thinking?
Ally Bean
What would adult you tell 18 year old you? I’d tell myself that they don’t have your best interests at heart and that you can do what you want. I was way too much of a do-bee at that age, trusting to a fault, doing what I was supposed to do. Should have been following my own muse, who was there, but I ignored her.
Any good advice on living life? Make friends with and follow your own muse.
J
I like that advice!
Margaret
I too would try to tell myself not to worry so much but it probably wouldn’t work. I am who I am and the mistakes I’ve made have shaped me. (not always in good ways?) This film sounds intriguing and thought-provoking.
J
It was both, and sweet as well.
Tobia | craftaliciousme
This movie does sound very interesting. I wonder though… is your title also he movies title?
I am not sure what I would tell my 18 year old self. I think 18 was one of my best years.
J
Yes, the title of my post is the title of the movie. It’s what 18 year old Elliott calls 39 year old Elliott.
Perhaps what your 39 year old self could tell your 18 year old self is to live in the present and enjoy that time. Though it sounds like you did, so likely you didn’t need the advice.
sustainablemum
Living in the moment is great advice, probably something that I would tell my 18 year old self along with worry less about those things that you have no control over or making sure everything it perfect, it will be alright without that worry, use your energy for something else.
J
There’s a lot of us trying to live in the moment even now, right? It is a difficult discipline.
Elisabeth
These are some of the best years of your life. Don’t forget to have fun and just enjoy the moment.
Don’t worry about figuring out what you want to do with your life. You won’t know at 35 either, so why fret about it now?
J
Good advice!
Tierney
I want to see this movie. I like the concept and I think Aubrey Plaza is really talented.
I’d probably tell my 18 year old self to consider avoiding two ex-boyfriends and to try and free herself of the ridiculous 90s beauty ideals/body dysmorphia. Remember that? When J Lo was considered curvy with a huge butt? The 90s were so f*d in some ways.
J
Aubrey Plaza is very good in this movie, though her role isn’t as big as that of the 18 year old version. The movie is really Maisy Stella’s.
Diane
Between you and Engie’s post yesterday, that’s a lot more ass in my blog reading this week than I usually get.
This sounds like a lovely movie, actually.
I would tell my 18 year old self that it’s never to late to start investing. And to not take your mother for granted. And don’t be afraid to do new things in college.
J
I liked the movie, it was good. And that sounds like good advice!
NGS
I would tell my 18yo self to CHILL OUT. I was so high strung and worried about everything. Sheesh. Have more fun. Go to a party. Live a life.
LOLOL. I should probably give that advice to 45yo me, too.
J
That sounds like good advice Engie. I’m going to remember that when needed…”Live a life.”