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Original poster

If you could go back in time and be 18 years old again, with no guarantee of having the life you have right now. Would you do it?

103 replies

fivenonrouses · 03/10/2023 18:02

Just that really. Would you?

The prospect to me would sound very tempting. Undoing the many mistakes I made. Being more serious about my education. Enjoying uni, the fun of being in halls with my friends, and being completely care free.

Youth is wasted on the young, sometimes!

OP posts:
Amabilis · 04/10/2023 07:07

So my children would never be born but I’d “remember” them? Of course not.

chatenoire · 04/10/2023 07:07

I don't know... I regret not finishing my Physics degree, but I wouldn't have met my husband. Ultimately I can still get my degree one day (hopefully!)

HelpMeGetThrough · 04/10/2023 07:34

Yeah, I'd risk it.

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GreyCarpet · 04/10/2023 07:38

Yes.

I was repeatedly given terrible advice by a parent who sabotaged me and cause long lasting trauma through abuse.

Although a lot of the damage was already done by the time I was 18, if I could go back and not take the advice or cut contact 20 years earlier than I did, well, I'd like to give myself the chance.

I've 'survived' pretty well but that's all really.

TabithaTiger · 04/10/2023 07:42

Hmmm... it depends. If you mean going back to being 18 and knowing what I know now then yes (or it would be yes if it I didn't have DC), Going back in time to when I was 18 without that knowledge, then no!

Also, would I be 18 in the 90's? I don't think I'd like to be an 18 year old in 2023.

koalaknickers · 04/10/2023 07:46

I would go back in time like a shot, but only if I could go back knowing what I know now and make different choices.

I wouldn't want to go back to repeat my old life all over again!

That said, I am pretty content with life as it is now.

koalaknickers · 04/10/2023 07:46

TabithaTiger · 04/10/2023 07:42

Hmmm... it depends. If you mean going back to being 18 and knowing what I know now then yes (or it would be yes if it I didn't have DC), Going back in time to when I was 18 without that knowledge, then no!

Also, would I be 18 in the 90's? I don't think I'd like to be an 18 year old in 2023.

Ha! I realise I've just said more or less the same 😄

UsefulSmartPrettyHappy · 04/10/2023 08:50

No, it's too risky. I'm quite risk adverse generally.

mindutopia · 04/10/2023 09:19

Not a chance. Life has had it's challenges, but I have a great life and I cannot imagine anything I would have wanted to do so differently that I'd do it all again. My life turned out so much better than I ever expected at 18, so I think I've done alright.

readingismycardio · 04/10/2023 09:28

No. I'd never risk not having DH by my side.

Smoky1107 · 04/10/2023 10:51

No, I a head hard times but overall I've enjoyed it so far so wouldn't change it

TotalOverhaul · 04/10/2023 11:02

I'd do somethings differently. I'd certainly work harder at uni and be far more self-confident and choosy when it comes to men. I'd have better self care. I'd drink less and not smoke. I'd save a bit more money and be a bit more grown up earlier in life. But just a bit.

So often I felt I'd made a huge mistake or felt I was coasting and in fact something amazing was around the corner. I wasn't very happy in my twenties but my life was exciting and i wouldn't exchange all that travel and adventurous career for a stable relationship. The last twenty years have been pretty tame, while raising DC but they've had their moments of excitement here and there.

I don't think any life can be tidy and perfectly lived. Some people seem to live perfect lives but behind the gloss, I suspect they are muddling along too.

TotalOverhaul · 04/10/2023 11:03

I love stories that play with this idea - Midnight Library, Groundhog Day, Time after Time, Sliding doors. It is endlessly fascinating.

HandShoe · 04/10/2023 11:18

Absolutely - but like a PP I'd want to go back a few more years to make it really worth while (even though I'd have to go through the acne and braces again)

bellsandwhistles333 · 04/10/2023 11:19

That's so hard... I would love to go back and choose a different education path and get into a career I love quicker and be more financially free however I have the best husband and son / step kids so I don't think it's worth the risk!

Pumpernickles · 04/10/2023 11:22

Yes, but only if I could guarantee not having the life I have now.

Fahbeep · 04/10/2023 11:28

I don't think so. I miss the health of youth, but not the drama. It wasn't a happy time for me. So I'd be reversing back into that, and I suspect 18 year old me would have made all the same mistakes any way! If I could reverse back to 30 however 🤔🤔🤔

Redskyatwhatever · 04/10/2023 11:31

Yes but I’d want to go back in time to when I was actually 18 with the life experience I have now. No to being 18 in the present day, life for young adults is so much tougher now in my opinion.

RomeoRivers · 04/10/2023 12:28

I’ve had a wonderful life, so if I went back I would relive it exactly the same way. If there was a possibility that things would turn out differently, then I definitely wouldn't do it. Obviously there have been difficulties, but they have all resulted in a positive outcome.

I lived with my best friend in my 20s and we had a wild time. She now has a rare form of dementia, so I love to go back and relive our dancing days. But I would also be sad to know that all the dreams and hopes for the future that we talked about, would never come into fruition for her.

DimplesToadfoot · 04/10/2023 12:33

Can I go back even further. To the night I was conceived and make it so my birth giver swallowed instead, I should never have been born, I was the biggest accident going, I ruined so many peoples lives, I'd like to make amends and simply not exist

OnAFrolicOfMyOwn · 04/10/2023 13:03

DimplesToadfoot · 04/10/2023 12:33

Can I go back even further. To the night I was conceived and make it so my birth giver swallowed instead, I should never have been born, I was the biggest accident going, I ruined so many peoples lives, I'd like to make amends and simply not exist

Flowers I hope if there are not already people who love and value you, that such people will come into your life soon.

Original poster
fivenonrouses · 04/10/2023 13:05

DimplesToadfoot · 04/10/2023 12:33

Can I go back even further. To the night I was conceived and make it so my birth giver swallowed instead, I should never have been born, I was the biggest accident going, I ruined so many peoples lives, I'd like to make amends and simply not exist

I remember a post of yours. Your life is a blessing to many.

It's all on whoever failed to see it. Including your father for having failed to acknowledge the blessing of a daughter he was given. And the second chance he was offered to rekindle. Nothing is your fault. The stupid decision making of those who did you dirty is all on them. It doesn't reflect your worth one bit.

If it weren't for you, your beautiful children and possibly grandchildren wouldn't exist. That is a priceless purpose in itself.

I'm so sorry you feel this way.

OP posts:
PinkRiceKrispies · 04/10/2023 13:08

Definitely. Would have gone down a different path in my studies and had a lot more fun.

CarrieMoonbeams · 04/10/2023 13:18

@Needanewnamebeingwatched , @TwigTheWonderKid and @DimplesToadfoot, 💐💐💐to you all.

I definitely would not want to go back to that time. The first part of my life was relentlessly shit (abusive parents, always hungry, scared, battered) but I met DH when we were still at school and my life has been so happy from then on.

Naturally we've had times when we've been utterly skint, my one and only pregnancy ended in a miscarriage and we've had a few health worries along the way but I've always felt loved and so safe. He's an absolute gem.

We're 61 now, happily retired and recently celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary. I'm very lucky.

SunburstsOrMarbleHalls · 04/10/2023 13:25

No

Even though I feel that I never reached my full potential and often wish I could have made different life decisions.

I simply could not sleep with my ex husband again as I think he is a vile individual who repulses me. I would therefore never have my daughter and son.

I would never sacrifice having them in my life.