In the following discussions, older adults and not-so-old people recall how they would have lived their 20s and 30s if given another chance!
Education
I think I regret not pushing myself harder in school. I honestly never prepared for the future. I remember time and again people would ask where you see yourself in five years; at the time, I probably would have sarcastically said at the bar or club. Sadly, as I lived to party, I never thought how important a great education, a good job, and a decent lifestyle is and not struggling all the damn time.
Prepare now because the future is just around the corner. Better yourself, and spend more hours CARING about your studies and less about partying. It’ll be the biggest and hardest challenge ever. -School dropout
Neglect of personal health
I’m 75. Before my husband died, I was doing really well. I looked after him and the household — made everything about him because we knew he didn’t have long. He died. Since then, I’ve been a mess. Two surgeries, rheumatoid arthritis I knew nothing about. It’s like I was so busy looking after him, that my own life was on hold. And when it wasn’t, things started to break down.
I should have spent time looking after me, too. So, do that. Look after yourself. -Spousal caregiver.
Lord of the rings
I was so busy having a lot of fun. I traveled and really enjoyed myself. I was always pursued by younger men. I was engaged a few times, but I never followed through. Now, I don’t have any children. I have never been married either. I always just assumed there would be more time. I have had my perpetual fiancée for nine years now. We are happy, yet I wish that I had met him much earlier.
I would have loved to have been a mother. It’s way too late now. If anything happens to him, I will be all by myself. -Forlorn lover
Body hater
I’m 63. You spend your youth obsessing about looks and not appreciating your pain-free body that can get you where you want to go and can do what you want to do. No matter how well you take care of it, your joints, skin, eyes, and ears eventually decline and don’t work as well. Please enjoy your body while you still can! -Pain-wracked body
Wasted opportunity
I spent so much time with my husband in college. I spent time a lot of time at his school with his friends and never made my own at my campus. At the time, I didn’t see anything wrong, but now he’s still got his college friends, and I don’t really have anyone. I don’t have any long-term friends and trying to make friends at 40 is really hard. I wish I hadn’t spent all my time with him and cultivated my own friends. -Wasted opportunity
Almost broke
I’m 56, I treated life like a game (like a lot of us do) though I served for 10 years and did five more as a GS [General Schedule] all overseas and have always worked I didn’t prepare for old age and now have to play catch up. It’s a whirlwind and then it’s all gone. My advice is start saving money from your first paycheck, even if it’s 5 bucks, take advantage of a 401k, invest, and don’t chase what you think you want, save for what you need. -Veteran
Spousal choice
Arguably, the most important choice you will ever make is choosing your spouse. Yet most people rush into it without really thinking it through, or even get to know the person before making that decision. There is no bigger emotional, physical well being, or financial investment that you will make over the choice of your spouse. Choose wisely. -Fool in love
Wannabe sports pro
I’m only late 20s but I wish I hadn’t broken myself as a child. Stop telling kids “it’s normal” that they have done permanent damage to their bodies for sports.
Enough telling kids “oh you’re 17 and getting a torn ACL replaced? Too bad you got injured this season”
I wish I hadn’t been an “all star” for nothing. Who cares that in high school I was best basketball player.
The reality is we’re injuring kids young in these sports so when they are older they have lifelong issues.
I have no cartilage in my right knee and a torn lung from high school sports.
Absolute silliness considering I need those knees for life and adults encouraged me to ruin my body for sports that don’t matter.
Your child is not gonna end up playing pro ball or going to Olympics.
So many student athletes these days are in serious rehab and have lifelong issues from injuries in the youth. -High school sports enthusiast.
