Many believe regret is a wasted emotion because you can’t turn back time and undo the past. But for some, it’s a sting that never goes away, a scar that forever reminds them of missed opportunities in life.
Recently, someone on Reddit asked a rather existential question: “What do you regret not appreciating more when you were younger?” Responses poured in as people talked about how they should’ve spent more time with close friends or taken their parents’ advice.
While they carry a somber tone, these stories could be a reminder of how important it is to live life to the fullest. Scroll through and feel free to join in on the discussion in the comments below.
#1
My grandparents’ life experiences. I wish I had asked and preserved their stories. One grandmother was born in1899 and lived to 95. Think of all she saw and lived through. Damn it, why didn’t I ask her when I could?
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57points
#2
How much potential I really did have. I just lacked the self confidence. I'm trying to instill that in my children right now. One in particular. The fear of failure is real for everyone, but so is actually FAILING. EVERYONE fails. Nothing worthwhile is accomplished easily. It took me almost forty years to learn that.
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52points
#3
My cat.
We were always together and I spent multiple days just lying in bed holding him, but I still feel like I didn't spend enough time with him.
We were always together and I spent multiple days just lying in bed holding him, but I still feel like I didn't spend enough time with him.
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44points
#4
Being able to sleep was something I took utterly for granted. I miss those days so much.
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42points
#5
The simple joys of being carefree—like long summer days and endless playtime!
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41points
#6
My spine and knees being pain-free. Just walking the dog hurts these days.
41points
#7
Well, I definitely regret not appreciating the fact that I could eat a whole pizza and not gain a pound. #MetabolismMatters.
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36points
#8
My parents youth. Mom’s 70 now, and it’s incredible hard to see her slow down.
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35points
#9
Where I lived. It's so easy to find a reason to hate wherever you are. But at the end of the day, you still live there. Might as well try to appreciate the good things about it.
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34points
#10
I was always clever, but for some reason, I was ashamed of it. Being academically gifted was somehow uncool. So I dumbed myself down and d**ked around and kind of didn’t fulfill my potential.
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32points
#11
My free time. I really didn't think that having a 9-5 and kids would leave me with so little of me time.
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30points
#12
Time spent with friends who have since drifted away. We thought we’d always be together, but life had other plans.
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29points
#14
How easy it was to socialize in college. It's frustrating and difficult to make new friends as an adult, and even more so to date.
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27points
#19
Having disposable income.
I wish I had what I blew back then on dumb s**t.
I wish I had what I blew back then on dumb s**t.
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23points
#20
Time with my grandparents. I was just so f****d up and couldn’t see how much they loved me and WANTED me around and protected me. I wish so badly I could tell them both that they changed my life and thank you for everything and how I miss grandpa playing us trumpet in the morning and at night. I miss the way my grandmas hug felt, and her bad cooking and watching are you being served with them after dinners.
I wish I had understood that time isn’t something you can get back, and when they’re gone there’s just an empty space where they used to sit on the couch.
Please don’t waste your time with people who love you, it sounds obvious but it wasn’t to me.
I wish I had understood that time isn’t something you can get back, and when they’re gone there’s just an empty space where they used to sit on the couch.
Please don’t waste your time with people who love you, it sounds obvious but it wasn’t to me.
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21points