Venting If only my younger self could see me now.

[Mr2005]

If only I could talk to my younger self

 

[Reallyreallyreally]

The approach I was proposing (although perhaps I wasn't clear enough) was to state that you had a burning desire to do the job in question, but that your family had prevented it... I feel there's quite a few people who might buy into that and feel they want to help. Or he could try 50% of his attempts that way, and 50% without mentioning the obstacles.... Guess the OP can decide for himself anyhow.... But yes, as you say, you still need to put your best foot forward. I wasn't proposing a sob-story only approach, although I didn't state fully what my approach was, I suppose I just assumed it was obvious to still include all the positive stuff....

18 is a pretty normal age to go looking for a new thing to do. I wouldn't recommend mentioning the family stuff on day 1 at all. It sounds like an excuse for not showing up. "I would have come earlier but..." Unless his story was on the news due to being freed from physical captivity. It can be discussed after the first meeting, once things get a little friendly, but if it goes into the introductory conversation, all it's going to do is present him as someone who shifts responsibility for his decisions. But you're right. He can do what he wants. We're all just strangers on the internet.