Søren Kierkegaard said, "Marry, and you will regret it; don't marry, you will also regret it; marry or don't marry, you will regret it either way."
Although it can be difficult to get over, regret is a fundamental part of the human experience. So, interested in people's past choices that continue to linger in their minds, Reddit user ThickEmployee8948 asked everyone on the platform who's 30 and older to share the (in)actions they cannot forget.
The discussion that followed serves as a reminder that we cannot change the past — only learn from it.
#1
Nothing. The person you were back then would always make the same exact decisions given the information you were aware of at the time. I don’t have regrets in life. I can only change now.
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93points
#2
Started smoking cigarettes. Did it for about 30 years although I've quit now. Don't do it kids !
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72points
#3
Staying in shape. It is so much harder later in life to keep up. lose weight and all the rest.
66points
#4
TEETH
Wish I’d Brushed and flossed more regularly, gone to the dentist every six months; etc.
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60points
#5
Standing up for myself.
I lived way too long trying to make others happy and letting them manipulate me
My family used this to their fullest advantage
I stopped it now but wish I had the backbone 20 years ago.
My family used this to their fullest advantage
I stopped it now but wish I had the backbone 20 years ago.
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57points
#6
This is a little complicated, but I wish I had been able to come to terms with not caring what people think of me when I was younger. It did wonders for my confidence.
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57points
#7
Not learning a second language—I regret not taking the time to become bilingual when it would have been easier.
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53points
#8
Quit drinking. Alcohol sucks and it’s really bad for you. Wasn’t an alcoholic, just got really bad hangovers and anxiety after drinking. Haven’t had a sip in 51 weeks.
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52points
#9
Not prioritizing financial literacy—I wish I had learned more about money management and investing at a younger age.
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50points
#10
My friends and I talked about doing a 2-3 week Europe trip back in our 20s. “Oh maybe next year”. Eventually jobs, bills and families put all that to rest.
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47points
#12
I wish I had treated myself with respect, and taken my mental health seriously. I'm doing that now and it's making a big difference. .
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44points
#13
Worked an awful, dead end job for way too long.
43points
#14
I regret doing what my parents expected of me instead of what I wanted to do.
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43points
#15
I regret buying into the workplace b******t when I was younger.
Being the 'goto' guy isn't going to put food on the table.
It's not going to pay your medical bills.
It's not gonna get you that promotion.
Unless you have a contract stating *x* will get you *y* do NOT go out of your way to 'help' businesses.
Don't be lazy, but don't be consistently picking up other peoples slack or rushing to put out 'fires'.
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42points
#16
I regret thinking that nice things were not for people like me. The number of experiences, travel, career opportunities I turned down is crazy. All because I didn't think I was good enough to deserve them.
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40points
#18
I'm currently estranged from my parents. They have the ability to end this at any time, they just won't.
They controlled me all through my childhood and I kept chasing approval from them. I missed out on so many experiences because I wanted to be an obedient good kid.
I wish I had done more stupid s**t when I was younger. D***s, sex, rock and roll. Instead, I was consumed with panic attacks over losing my 4.0 and now that I'm a burnt out gifted kid in my thirties, I really struggle to relate to people my own age.
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40points
#19
Dealing with my trauma instead of running from it.
39points
#20
Not realizing how quickly needing to be an adult creeps up on you. I remember being 17 and thinking 30 was so far away. Now I’m closing in on 40 and wishing I had done more to prep for being an adult.
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37points