Anyone who is past the age of 30 will have at least one “young and dumb” moment that will keep their face locked in a cringe for a good few minutes every time they remember it. These regrettable decisions could include vices they experimented with, ill-advised romantic choices, or financial moves that carry long-term repercussions.
You will find a lot of these themes in the following stories you’re about to read. These are candid accounts of women on Reddit who recall the headshake-inducing times of their youth. Just by reading, you can tell some of these still sting today.
Many of these stories may involve sensitive topics, so proceed with caution. And if you feel like sharing your own experiences, feel free to do so in the comments.
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#2
The amount of times I was in situations that horrify me looking back as an adult because I wasn’t taught to say “no” when I was uncomfortable.
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#3
Dating a 30 year-old when I was 18. Now that I’m in my 30’s, I look at 18 year-olds and realize that dude was a creep and a loser.
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#4
People pleasing and pouring everything into everyone but myself. Don't do it.
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#5
I wish I had stayed single for most of my young adult life. I would have saved a lot of money and time, and been better off in the long run.
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#6
Looking for love over learning about myself. So much time on wasted trying to be loved by losers instead of loving me.
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#7
40s but I can tell you in my 20s I genuinely tried way too hard to be liked by people I never ever see or hear from anymore. It doesn't matter what anyone thinks, be comfortable with yourself.
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#8
Giving someone a second chance when I already knew the first chance was a mistake.
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#9
Running up $6,000 in credit card debit on stupid stuff. Took me forever to pay that off and I don't even want to know how much extra I paid in interest.
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#10
I still can't get over the fact that I didn't do a year abroad in uni because of a boyfriend.
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#11
Not knowing my worth sooner and sticking it out in some pretty awful relationships. I shouldn’t have stayed as long as I did. I lost years of my life. I’m gaining them back now though!
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#12
Not going to therapy sooner. Would have changed my life.
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#13
Not appreciating my body more. I was so obsessed with being thinner and prettier and everything in between. I’m now in my 30s and wish I had realized how great I was and talked more positively to myself.
Lessons learned and even though I’m heavier now than my 30s, I’m loving what my body can do and focusing on feeling healthy and confident rather than trying to be someone I’m not.
Lessons learned and even though I’m heavier now than my 30s, I’m loving what my body can do and focusing on feeling healthy and confident rather than trying to be someone I’m not.
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#14
Not reporting my attacker because he said I’d be the third report of SA against him, sending him to jail. He said it’d be my fault if he went.
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#15
Getting in the tanning bed in college. Can’t retin-A away that no matter how hard I try!
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#16
CIGARETTES, they had a hold on me from 18-25 until I got pregnant.
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#17
Letting him get away with hitting me.
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#18
Having a child with the wrong man. I made a lot of excuses for his behavior towards me and it ended with my child seeing things I can’t take back. Trust your gut.
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#19
Dating my s****y ex for years. Not finding my current partner sooner. I know that last one sounds ridiculous but about a year ago my current partner and I realized that we were always *this close* to meeting. He worked for a while at the theatre my Dad and I went to every Sunday. My cousin and his friends were both members of this music co-op. Just lots of little things like that.
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#20
While living abroad I met someone, let my guard down, and we fell for each other quickly - texting all day long, travelling, and taking long weekend trips, etc.
I had no idea he had gotten his ex pregnant (before we met) and they were planning on moving her to the same country to raise their baby together. One day, he stopped texting me back until I demanded a response and that’s when he sent a picture of his baby boy.
Don’t recommend.
I had no idea he had gotten his ex pregnant (before we met) and they were planning on moving her to the same country to raise their baby together. One day, he stopped texting me back until I demanded a response and that’s when he sent a picture of his baby boy.
Don’t recommend.
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