What thing do you wish you’d done or discovered earlier?

[Del1lahdaydream]

Just started a style and beauty thread on this but thought a general thread would be interesting too!

Mine is taken up cycling. I did a bit of cycling earlier in life but only got really into it in my 30s and wish I’d done it in my 20s as it really helps my mental health as well as fitness benefits.

Also wish I’d not waited until having DC before going part time at work - I worked far too many hours in my 20s (silly City job)

Audiobooks. Working less. Living out of the city.

Wish I'd had children sooner.

Assertiveness

Spent too many years placating others and being a "nice girl" to my own detriment. If it were up to me I'd put assertiveness training on the education curriculum - especially for girls!

Interesting. I’ve become more assertive since becoming a mum and valuing my time more

Amen to that Graphista.

Singing stuff that isnt traditional classical choral big works.

On the style and beauty side, I really wish I'd stopped dyeing my hair earlier, I wasted many years and much money trying to change my hair colour.
I'm also very glad that I found the courage to stand up for myself, a bit like Graphista assertiveness came to me late in life.
I now have the confidence to be completely comfortable with my hair colour, my shape and my figure and my style. I suspect with me, that this is due to my age.

Passed my driving test, focused on career.

That I could leave social events or groups I wasn't (or DCs weren't) enjoying. That not drinking on a night out rocks

Learned to drive, sorted out my diet, started exercising, travelled, left my ex, moved to London. Met my husband, but that one wasn't really in my control!

Vegan diet.
I’ve wasted probably hundreds of pounds over the years, plus hundreds of hours on diet clubs.

Vegan or plant based diet works for me and has done now for 16 months.

Running. Never thought I could, never found at fun or easy at school, because I was never fit enough. Got fit, running happened. Doing a 10k in the summer. I could have spent 30 years with a fun hobby instead of battling my weight.

Hummus. Lived twenty years in the Middle East, and didn't like it. Now I do. All those years of awesome hummus eating wasted

Another one here wishing I had been more assertive.
Wish I’d said ‘yes’ when a boy at school asked me out. I was 16 but so shy of boys!
Wish I’d had my chi,dren a few years earlier.

Running - it's changed my life and I've never been happier with how I look (except when I was young and wrinkle free and didn't care anyway!) Running/training for long distances has made me protective over my health and my body in a way I just never have been before.

Philips Lumea.

Resilience.

Been interested in what style clothes suit my body shape.

I had a lovely sporty figure in my teens and 20s and did not wear flattering clothes.

I wish I'd taken up running (and cycling) earlier.

Wish I'd started doing yoga in my 20s or teens instead of my 30s.

Wish I hadn't been so virulently atheist. Joining a progressive religious community in the past couple of years has been one of the most meaningful things I've ever done.

After 40 odd years of wearing hiking boots realising that the hooks instead of laces holes are there to criss cross the extra length of lace rather than wrapping them around your ankle.

Wish I had started private therapy earlier then I did. Also another vote for being more assertive. To long accepting inappropriate behaviour from many people.

Strength training.
Low carbing.