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Original poster

What is your biggest regret?

151 replies

Whatsmyusername1235 · 05/12/2023 18:54

What have you done that you regret the most? I’m just sat at home feeling sorry for myself and very regretful about something I’ve done recently. What would you take back if you could?

OP posts:
WellWillWoll · 05/12/2023 20:39

Losing my great grandma's locket. I threw it out by mistake and I'm still devastated years later.

Wiccan · 05/12/2023 20:40

cardibach · 05/12/2023 20:20

Nothing.
Regret is pointless. All the choices I’ve made led me to who I am now. To regret anything suggests I don’t like myself. I do.

Wow , that really made me stop and think about how I feel about myself . You're so right. Sometimes other people can make you feel regret. It is a pointless overthinking negative emotion .

Plankingplanks · 05/12/2023 20:45

I've led a colourful life. I have made terrible decisions and regretted a lot of them...however, had I not made them I would not be where I am now (slightly drunk on a train in reality) because my life is actually great now. I have a husband that I think is amazing. Beautiful children and a job I love. 15 years ago none of this would have seemed possible

MargaritaThyme · 05/12/2023 21:01

My main regret, and the single biggest thing I would do differently if I had my time again, is my first job after university. I was a graduate trainee, then a departmental / deputy manager with a global hotel company which operates mainly 4* corporate-type establishments.

The hours were ridiculous (70+ per week, double shifts, often only 1 day off) and the salary was a joke. It could be stupidly stressful because most of the staff were paid minimum wage & (understandably) didn’t give a toss, so management had to fill in when they didn’t show up as well as doing our own jobs. 5 years in the industry obliterated my social life and cost me a relationship. That was the last straw, and I walked out without another job to to. Never, ever again.

AuroraForever · 05/12/2023 21:09

I took a bonus payment instead of shares in the company. Big mistake.

Hopingforno2in2024 · 05/12/2023 21:09

Mine is being bitterly envious of others for years. My life is actually brilliant but due to untreated CPTSD I couldn’t see it. Now I have had treatment I am working hard on ending that bitter envy and being grateful for all that I have. It is a work in progress especially as at the moment I am having IVF but I am determined not to lose more of my life to it.

LambriniBobinIsleworth · 05/12/2023 21:15

What @cardibach said. Have I done things that- in retrospect- I wouldn't do again? Sure. Big things. But hindsight is 20/20 and if I hadn't done those things I wouldn't be who I am or where I am and I like who I am and where I am. You can't live your life with regrets.

JamSandle · 05/12/2023 21:19

Hopingforno2in2024 · 05/12/2023 21:09

Mine is being bitterly envious of others for years. My life is actually brilliant but due to untreated CPTSD I couldn’t see it. Now I have had treatment I am working hard on ending that bitter envy and being grateful for all that I have. It is a work in progress especially as at the moment I am having IVF but I am determined not to lose more of my life to it.

This is amazing - glad you're in a place to enjoy your life as it is!

TheCatfordCat · 05/12/2023 21:56

Listening to my mum and attempting a nursing degree. I should have gone to a creative writing course instead.

Also marrying the wrong man and having a child with him.

Museum10662 · 05/12/2023 21:58

socialized more with some intriguing characters at university rather than shutting my self off and being in the library ect, especially Beth

Nothankyou22 · 05/12/2023 22:01

Mine is following the career my parents wanted for me and not what I wanted.
i now do neither.
also regret my ex but then I wouldn’t have my amazing kids

SallyWD · 05/12/2023 22:08

That I didn't establish a good career. I'm now late 40s and earning peanuts.

Fantina · 05/12/2023 22:20

Not leaving my EXDH sooner, I feel too worn out by life with him to rebuild for my next phase. If I’d left ten years ago I could have had a second shot.

MerelyPlaying · 05/12/2023 22:24

With @cardibach - I don't look back, and I don't regret anything. Everything I have done has made me who I am. Life is too short to spend it saying 'if only ...'

stayathomer · 05/12/2023 22:27

If I could go back to my school days and speak out more both for myself and others that were ‘bullied’ is a strong word but… by people in our class I would. I let one girl in particular down and I always hope it didn’t affect her

Ardith · 05/12/2023 22:28

Marrying a workaholic

DyslexicPoster · 05/12/2023 22:28

I always say I regret lots. For example not buying a 40k house in Nottingham about 21 years ago. But because of that I got something in the SE which has gone up in value more.

I really regret a lot of things that I had no choice in. Like my sons SEN. I moved hom out of mainstream to a indi SEN scho in year 5. But he's actually living a life with a lot more opportunities than he would got in mainstream. He wants to be head teacher or a EP and that suggestion would have been laughed off in mainstream.

I try not to regret, it's hard. Uou fo make the best desisions you xan at the time. It's all you can do

Wineisnottheanswer · 05/12/2023 22:29

everything

Laurendelaney1987 · 05/12/2023 22:31

starting smoking

DancyNancy · 05/12/2023 22:37

@granhands1 without the exact dreadful father you wouldn't have your exact oldest child 🌺
It's not your fault he's awful

Sandiegodreaming · 05/12/2023 22:37

Not liviing in Germany for a year on my year out from Uni

mrsla1 · 05/12/2023 22:38

Not seeing my grandad in the hospital the night before he died as we decided we'd go and see him in the morning instead. Was obviously too late by then Sad

starlightcan · 05/12/2023 22:39

ShirleyPhallus · 05/12/2023 19:01

It’s better to regret something you do do, than something you don’t do

Strongly disagree!

Libre2 · 05/12/2023 22:41

Sorry to say, but having children. They are 13 and 15 so it's not like it's a recent thing.

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