To ask what your biggest regret in life is?

[SylviaPlath1984]

Or even what you feel you might regret in the future if you don't do it soon?

I regret not taking school more seriously or trying harder, not making more of myself.

What about you?

No regrets - I made a conscious decision in my teens never to look back and never to regret any of the mistakes I've made (and I've made a few!) as it's pointless and would only make me miserable.

That decision has served me very well, and I'm in my 50s (and generally pretty happy) now.

Saying that, when the kids have flown, I want to go off again

not traveling more. Got three children and a mortgage etc now, what was I DOING for the 8 years of adulthood before we got married!?

Oh and I'd add to the posts that tell people it's not too late, just before covid I started learning to swim and my god I feel like I've been awakened! Great fun, feel great and a huge step (I was always paranoid about my legs which have big purple blotches but nobody looks at anyone and there all all shapes and sizes and people there!!)

But mizu, if you'd done the sensible thing you could easily be saying you wished you'd travelled more in your 20s....

I wouldn't change anything as I wouldn't be where I am now, but I regret not talking to my Grandad about his childhood. He was brought up in a lifestyle that no longer exists and it fascinates me now, sadly when he was still around I was too young to think to ask him

I regret not pursuing delayed cord clamping for my twins. They whipped them out (c-section) within a minute of each other; the first one has mild cerebral palsy due to a stroke either in utero or around birth. I’m not saying that caused the stroke; I’m saying that all those stem cells going back into him would have been invaluable, possibly. Who knows.

Sixth form - terrible choices re a levels meant I did a pointless degree and any potential for an interesting and exciting career.
I ended up being a teacher of a very random subject which I didn't enjoy and now have an ok nhs band three Job but low pay and little potential for progression.

I regret not living in the moment more.

I'm always, and always have, focused on what is coming in the future rather than living in the day.

I feel that time is passing by that way without enjoying what I have.

I regret the fact that I have had to give up my career to care for my children who have disabilities. There is nothing I can do about it but I do wish it didn't have to be this way.

That I didn't listen to my husbands ex when she told me he was a narcissist.

Being fat. It blighted my life and still does, anyone tells you it doesn't matter is wrong. It does and it impacts on your health as well as confidence. I'm not saying my life would definitely have been better but I can't shift that feeling.

I regret writing a letter to a man friend telling him I didn't want to see him again and asking him not to come on the walks with the local walking group. I very much wish we had stayed friends and kept in contact with each other.

Getting married & giving up the financial dependence that I had .

@WarmAndFluff

No regrets - I made a conscious decision in my teens never to look back and never to regret any of the mistakes I've made (and I've made a few!) as it's pointless and would only make me miserable.

That decision has served me very well, and I'm in my 50s (and generally pretty happy) now.

I really do think this is the only way to live. I try to do the same. My focus isn’t regret, it is on how I can make my life better today, and what hopes and dreams I have for the future.

@Retired65

I regret writing a letter to a man friend telling him I didn't want to see him again and asking him not to come on the walks with the local walking group. I very much wish we had stayed friends and kept in contact with each other.

Awww... Could you not write him another letter? x

@WarmAndFluff it's great to have no regrets that play on your mind but are you conscious of lessons learnt along the way?

I think regrets do sometimes equal 'a lesson learnt' but then again not always because sometimes you really do only get one chance. The awareness that you could have handled it better is well, it's an awareness - it doesn't get in the way of my happiness but it's there, part of my history.

Name changed for this (though still outing if you know me)

Becoming the family carer. Two grandparents and a parent and no way to 'be free' until parent dies which is realistically another 20 years. 40, no life of my own, no partner, no children, siblings have nothing to do with the caring side and don't come back to hometown anymore and expect me to get me and disabled parent to them on a train despite them driving and having cars each.

No life, no kids, no family, no real life visitable friends (all miles away and no time off to go see them as I'd have to travel at least 3 hours each way) as real life friends drifted a long time ago because they couldn't come to the house as parent is a hoarder. Abusive neighbour booming music and abuse in a daily basis

I regret having a child. It's the worst kind of regret because you have to engage with the bad decision every day. There is no escaping it in a socially accepted way. Big mistake that lasts a lifetime.

Not finishing university. Choosing French instead of German

I have a wonderful husband, children I absolutely adore and a well paid secure job. But I hate my job. It’s worth it for the financial security. Maybe. I still dream of retraining in something - I just don’t know what!

@lifeturnsonadime I know I'm the same, always thinking (or hoping) the future will be easier and more relaxing! Yoga is good for me. I only get to do it 2-3 times a week but I am present in the now for yoga.

Although, today I was trying to do 'the crow' and I caught myself thinking ''BY JULY I WILL CONQUER THIS" but then I had a word with myself and took the scheduled goal out of the one activity that I can do mindfully!

@Gincredible1 so sorry you feel that way and i admire your honesty. How old is your dc if you don't mind me asking? I just wonder if your dc is young that maybe you won't regret it as they grow and things become less relentless.

@Glassbottomedboat that is awful, you must set time aside to figure out how to squeeze in a life. Talk to somebody to help you figure out how to construct a good life. Art projects, writing club, book club, yoga, walking, some of this can be home-based. Not having a partner doesn't mean no life, you're better off! You deserve a life too, your siblings are being very unfair to you

@willithappen please don’t ever think that, you are not being punished. I’m sure like many of us, it was the right thing to do for you at the time. I had a termination when I was younger, and went on to have 3 children. Don’t beat yourself up x

@popcornbetty my child is four. I am well educated and have a good career. It's funny that so many people on this thread wished they had made more of themselves academically or in their careers. I perhaps dislike the sacrifices I have to make in my career now.