To think everyone has regrets to a greater or lesser degree later in life?

[SlB09]

Just wondering from those who are maybe in the later stages of life, let me learn from your wealth of experiences!!!

Do you think its even possible to not have a single regret in life?

Edith Piaf

Ive only got one regret.

Depends what you mean really by regrets. I doubt anyone gets through life without looking back in some things and thinking they’d do things differently now. But I think it’s entirely possible to make peace with certain life choices, mistakes, paths not taken etc.

I do have numerous regrets, but I don't think I'd change anything that I regret doing, really, even if I could, because the big and small things have all led me where I am now, with my children.

I often think 'I wish I'd...' then I think well I'd rather have my two lovely kids, than be in any other better position.

That's what I keep telling myself anyway

I regret taking up smoking. Was hell to give up and still get twinges years later.

I don't have any regrets, because I have a healthy grasp of the futility of human existence.

If you'd made other choices in life, things would still have been less than optimal in other areas. Why worry?

I'm of the opinion that you can't make an omelette without breaking eggs.

I haven't deliberately hurt anyone, and don't think I've significantly hurt anyone by mistake either. The rest is conjecture. I have no idea if my "what ifs" could have made me happier, short or long term.

What if I'd gone out with my crush in year 7? What if I had met DH later? What if I'd taken that other job?

Meh. I have a lovely husband, home and many happy memories. The what ifs can stay that way.

Have you read The Midnight Library? You might find it interesting!

There are lots of things that I think I could have done differently or which, in isolation, may have made me happier at that point in time. But I’m happy right now with the life I have, who knows if those other choices would have worked out long-term? And I’ve still got a long way to go. I think the key to having few regrets is being flexible and adapting to what life brings as best you can.

People who have no regrets have not suffered bereavement

Yes, I definitely have regrets, but I try to learn from them. I don't expect life to be perfect and I'm content with having a few regrets.

I have many regrets. Some very bitter.

It's hard to balance because if life hadnt panned out exactly as it has, I wouldnt have my children and the life I have right now, which I am pretty happy with.

But, yes, many regrets. Should my life have been different? Yes. Would I go back and change things if I could? Maybe. Even knowing I wouldnt get my children exactly as they are. That's VERY hard to reconcile

It's better to regret things you've done rather than regret things you didn't do.

You only regret the things you didn't do.

Only regret I've got is not enjoying my DS more than I did when he was small and probably not being as 'present ' as I could have been. But I think a lot of people feel like that.
I've done lots of other stuff I probably should have regretted but somehow I don't.

I'm glad I've worked in a profession that cared. I feel my work life has been meaningful. I left it to work in sales for a while but it felt cold and meaningless so I left.
I'm glad I left jobs when I wasn't happy.
I'm glad I spent lots of time travelling.
I'm glad I spent - and saved.
I'm sorry I started smoking too!
I'm sorry I got fat.
I'm glad I went for a 3rd date with a man that I thought was lovely - but not for me. Turns out he was.
I'm sorry I spent time on useless handsome wankers, hoping they would like me. They didn't.
I'm sorry to have spent time in my youth worrying about what others thought of me.
I'm happy I did things to make others happy.
I'm sorry I didn't spend more time talking to my parents about their childhood- it's too late now.

Yes, I have a lot of regrets, mostly regarding my career and DH.

I should have stayed in the UK and joined the police.
I should have lost weight when I was younger.
I should have gone for coffee with that guy even though I was married and miserable.

But I do make the best of the bed I've lied in.

I have no regrets at all. I try my best not to make any mistakes. If I do make a mistake I rectify it and treat it as a learning curve for the future.

Great song

@MurielSpriggs

Edith Piaf

😂😂😂

I've found as I've got older I regret less and less. I think it's a bit like @LastGirlSanding said....I sort of make peace with things I might have regretted in the short term, or could have done differently, and in almost all cases, I've learnt something from them so I value that above what in most cases was a temporary problem. So... yes there are things I could have done differently.... undoubtedly, do I regret those things... not really.

I’m in the category of being in the later stages of life and I’d say that In answer to your question OP that no, it isn’t possible to live your life and have no regrets.

Some regrets are superficial others more significant. Some being simple twists of fate and leading to unexpected opportunities.

Well there's one bloke I wish I'd fucked but otherwise zero regrets

Apart from buying Microsoft shares ...

I had no regrets until this year, when I wished I'd retired in the middle of the year. Will do so at Christmas.

Interesting reading! I do believe there's a reason for a decision at that time so no regrets that way.... Suppose it is the things you don't do....

I don’t, really. I found, funnily enough, that getting married and having my baby cured me of regret. I just think to myself that if I had done one thing differently - changed even the smallest thing - I might not have met my husband, or might not have had this specific baby (who is, of course, the perfect baby and the only one I could truly have loved ). That makes me feel that even where there have been things I could have done better or differently, I still wouldn’t change them because they led me to exactly where I now need to be.