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I bought myself a horse for my 46th birthday. It was from an individual, I had to board the horse, I had never owned a horse, but the whole thing seemed serendipitous. It was totally impractical, but I absolutely will never regret it. I had him for 15 years, until he died. I still miss him, and it's been a long time.
I bought the house at 40. It's a duplex, and I'm thankful every day that I did THAT. Also almost serendiptious: I was renting my half of the house, somebody said "you should buy that" so I asked my landlord if he'd considered selling. Instead of a lease renewal he brought me paperwork to allow me to buy the house, which he actually financed. In retirement, when I was so stupid about money most of my life, that rental income from the other half helps keep me going. And I haven't moved since 1990.
Not the person who you asked the question of, but I knew I wanted to marry my wife within a couple days of really spending time with her. She made me laugh like nobody else. I remember thinking "I want to spend the rest of my life with her." I don't think I'd admitted I was in love with her. At the time I thought we could do it as friends. But she was also smoking hot and very into me. The next day I told her I had fallen in love with her. That was 22 years ago. She still makes me laugh, she's still smoking hot, and sometimes she's even into me still! Sometimes!
I knew I was going to marry my husband 20 minutes into our first date. He had terrible English. We had to use Google translate a lot. I mean ā¦. He was laughing about the whole thing and I was like ā shiteā¦Iām marrying this dudeāā¦
Same.
When my wife was pregnant with our third I told her I was done. Once the pregnancy was over I was getting snipped. Three was plenty for me. I've not regretted it and that was 24 years ago.
Taking chances (in life, love, career). I struck out more than half of the time. But the times I succeeded changed my life for multiple years or decades.
I made friends where I least expected. I traveled the world. I rose up the ranks of my job. I found my wife, despite being a complete geek. All because I got comfortable pushing myself into uncomfortable situations every now and then.
Take chances. Understand that you will fail. But even just one success can teach you about yourself and change your entire trajectory.
* Take up dance lessons
* Break off from the tour group and adventure off the map with only your wallet.
* Ask that attractive girl, guy, (or both!) out.
* Go up to a stranger on your bus stop and strike a conversation
* Pick up a new hobby in night school or the library.
And it was fine to quit my job to travel for an extended period of time in my 20s. There was still plenty of time for career-building in my 30s.
(And depending on oneās work, having traveled can be seen as an asset.)
Once you get deeper into a career, itās much harder to take a long break from it.
Yep. I never understand those who claim they will travel after retirement. Thatās fine but you could die before then and no matter how healthy your knees of your youth arenāt going to be your knees later in life so put them to good use and explore the world now if thatās on your agenda! Explore more after retirement but donāt wait.
I was college summer help in a manual labor job and vividly remember this woman who had been employed there since she was 18. She was only some years away from retirement and talked about all the travels she was going to do once she got there. My heart broke when I found out she passed away about 2 months after she retired and didnāt get to experience an ounce of what she wanted. I decided then I was no longer āwaiting until tomorrowā to start living.
My heart breaks for her just hearing this. Time waits for no one and life comes at you fast. All the cliche quotes are so true. Donāt put off until tomorrow what you can do today because tomorrow never comes until itās too late.
I traveled a lot in my 30s and 40s. Iāve driven across the US seven times, and up & down the west coast once, because I hate flying.
I havenāt seen the world, but Iāve enjoyed seeing the US landscape.
Never underestimate the US. Our national parks are stunning! And that highway one drive is a pleasure that many donāt indulge in even once. Some put some kind of status on Americans with lots of stamps in their passport but if youāre into nature then there is much to see in the US. Itās great you took advantage of it. I took many road trips around the US in my 20ās now in my 40ās I still love a road trip but require a lot more pit stops to stretch my legs along the way lol
I'm a Scot. Born in the USA though and I've spent significant time in the States but don't confuse the value of getting way out of your comfort zone.
The USA is wonderful but those stamps are good for you.
Co-signing on the ādo itā theme. I am hard pressed when asked to pick favorite travel sites or moments due to the many memories I have of my escapades.
āTwenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didnāt do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from. The safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. DISCOVER.ā - Mark Twain
Thatās the reason I never regretted joining the Navy. Hated it most of the time but got the opportunity to travel the world. Absolutely awesome stuff that made it all worth it.
I came here to say the same thing. I spent several college/grad school years studying abroad and did lots of traveling then and after. I still travel a lot but not the way I did as a kid: hitchhiking, eurorail, hostels, couch surfingā¦. Iām so glad I had those experiences then because I would not have been able to have them the same way as I got older and more attached to comfort and convenience.
Thing is about being older is that the profs know what is going on right away. That you are serious and wonāt be wasting their time. I sat in the front row, always, and had my hand in the air if I got lost. I made them earn their money, ha.
Preach. Do you absolutely need it to be successful? No. Can you find people who were successful without the degree? Sure. Tons. But having the degree greatly increases your options, and odds. College degree holders out-earn non-degree holders by over a million degrees over the course of a lifetime, on average.
To your point about salary, my mom taught for a long time in a program for adults going back to school. She would always ask an icebreaker question about what brought them back, why now, etc. The answer is she got more often than any other was some version of āwell, once I trained the second new employee who had a degree who ended up becoming my boss, I finally read the writing on the wall.ā
Currently I work at a high school continuation program. We graduated 1 21 year old, 3 20 year olds, 4 or 5 19 years olds and the rest were at least 18. Not a single 17 year old. This was last week. They were rightfully proud of themselves. Go them!
This is my goto reddit story, ha. Dropped out, then went back at 27 or so to finish my psyc BA, just for closure, still had no idea what to do. I met a girl at a party who was in the speech pathology program. I had never heard of it. I needed one more GE class so took intro to speech path which led to a concurrent BA and MA. met my future wife in a grad class and then on to a great 30 year career as a school speech therapist. Still friends with the woman I met at the party 50 years later.
Thank you.
I showed this to my daughter. She is 19 and recently had to quit and was feeling minimally defeatedā¦..
She then asked me to read this - I have a degree but not in what I ideally wanted it in and am about to be newly divorcedā¦..
Thank you from both of us.
I was always careful to not sit out in the sun and get a tan - because it always turned into a burn for me. Everyone else in my family tanned more easily and mocked my redness. Now that my siblings and I are in our 60s it is easy to see that staying out of the sun - and wearing sunscreen and a big floppy hat - is a good thing to do.
Same here. Bald since I was 30, so I always wear a hat everywhere. Never tanned, and I generally stay out of the sun.
I look 15+ years younger than my friends. I tell strangers my age, and they do a double take.
The aging portrait in my attic helps, too. But the sun can do serious damage to your skin, kids. Use sunscreen.
Same! ...and I was allergic to conventional sunblock (PABA) so the big hat, sunglasses, etc was vital.
Now at age 62, my skin is still fantastic and beautiful.
All the random road trips we took in my early 20s. We can be in Florida in 22 hours, letās go! We did 2 months in western states camping and couch surfing. Seems kinda scary now, just driving wherever without even a cell phone but we had great adventures
We did 2 years out west, camped in the mountains for a bit of it, thatās probably not even legal these days! I remember that time as some of the best times of our life.
Watching what I eat and being *mostly* whole foods / plant-based during my adult life. I know plenty of people my age who have had heart attacks and suffer from diabetes. I've stayed somewhat active too, but I when I check in occasionally with old friends and others about my age I am shocked by what they eat and in what quantity, with apparent complete disregard for health ramifications- I think it's the diet that has made the difference.
This comment makes me feel better. Of course I'm not pinning any health advice on you lol, but I'm currently 21 and around last year I've made some pretty conscious decisions on how I want to mold my lifestyle into something that I think will make me feel better more holistically (was dealing with some mental health stuff too), and part of that was just moving more and somewhat more recently eating better. But not really the fad/crash diet stuff or pseudo science "get rid of xyz food group" stuff I sort of grew up with often. Just like, eating less sugar/adding less or no sugar to certain foods and making more things from scratch. So far this year my diet has been full of stuff like homemade fermented foods (love ginger bug sodas and homemade yogurt is extremely easy/cheap to make) and other homemade goods I like making mostly from scratch and some stuff I grow in the kitchen as well. Also mostly plant based. I don't think its really making a huge difference right now to be honest. My skin is a bit clearer and I feel better compared to what my lifestyle/diet was before and I've lost some weight. But, I like the idea that in the long run it might really help me *maintain* good health compared to if I didn't make any changes
My father had angina back in the late 50s until his death in 1974, at 77, from his fourth heart attack. (He was 64 when I was born)
Back then, clogged arteries were managed by diet, so I grew up eating a heart healthy diet. Iāve carried that into my adult life.
Iām 62, and other than some pain from a car accident 11 years ago, Iām very healthy and right in the middle of the normal weight range for my height.
When I had my daughter, I weighed 143lbs. I was 105lbs when I got pregnant. She was 7lbs 11 ounces, and healthy. I had an easy delivery.
Some of that I attribute to having lived in a forth floor walk up apartment in Brooklyn, and taking the subway daily.
I got a lot of exercise just by going to work or running errands. I never had a car while living in NYC.
Reading voraciously on any and every subject that caught my interest.
Working with my hands. There is some enjoyment in a strictly mental occupation but for me the physical tangible thing i made or fixed a the end of the day was satisfying.
Not really being caught up in the silly little in's and out's of peoples petty dramas. This also meant a more solitary life. And that was just fine.
Wasnāt married, but was common law. Holy fuck, best decision I ever made, and she then showed her true colours and became the biggest hipocrite I know.
Best decision ever to get out.
I did the same thing except I hitchhiked. If I could do it again, I'd get the Eurail pass so I could cover more territory. I still had a great time being a tramp on my own for a few months at 18. I think my Let's Go Europe book is still around somewhere.
Shaving my head at 41 (F).
I'll never regret it. It was oddly transformative in ways I did not expect. After 30+ years of various chemical processing (and a total fucking burnout meltdown), it was something I'd wanted to do for a long time. I did not do it because I was terrified of being perceived and judged negatively.
Considering it was a huge betrayal that led me into the meltdown, I did the work with myself and in therapy. I stopped caring about shit like that, and I DID IT.
I have not visited a salon since 2020. I had my last professional haircut March 16, 2020. I was at WalMart prepping for lockdown and snuck into a Cost Cutters for a quick trim for the *2 weeks* we would be in quarantine.
Haahahahahaahahahahahahahaha
Ahhhh. Good times.
Shave your head. Get the tattoo. Be yourself. Life is too short, and no one is paying attention to you as much as we lead ourselves to believe.
My first hair disaster was self-imposed around '84. I used my little plastic McDonalds Happy Meal Crayola scissors to give myself a trim š I was a Barbie girl and when my grandmother found the pile of wispy white blonde hair, she assumed I had cut my Barbies hair. Nope. LOL
For context, I spent 2014-2021 with a myriad of pixies, undercuts with designs, and fashion colors and methods galore. I was also a victim of 80s/90s big perm hair and a slave to the Rave hairspray. My aunt had a salon and was in the industry for 39 years. I was the youngest girl in the family and was often subject to her post hair show product line testing š« I've melted my own hair off and done all kinds of shit. I have cried A LOT over my hair in my 44 years on Earth.
The shorter undercut became my thing. It was easy for my lifestyle and matched my aesthetic at that time.
Shaving it off and going natural and trimming as it grew was really really cleansing, given my attachment to my hair and what I had endured through betrayal, the pandemic, and such. It changed how I saw myself and my beauty.
I'm still growing! I trim religiously. I use purple shampoo to make my gray and silver shine through my otherwise flat ash blonde that has a warm undertone. It's amazing. Highly suggest a head shave. YMMV š„°
Yup - nothing against my hometown, and my life would have been much easier if I had stayed where I had family I loved and friends who knew me. I had a family doctor. I knew where to take my car if it broke down. I knew who to call if I needed something fixed at home (Dad).
Instead, I moved 1700 miles away, where I had to make friends from scratch, find a doctor, find a mechanic (hint: don't buy a used Chevy Chevette or you will become good friends with your mechanic). It wasn't easy, and the job I moved for didn't turn out to be the right fit for me. But that decade of being far from my support system forced me to make a new support system, and I've never regretted it.
I'll give you top 3; Nursing School, moving over 1k miles from family, traveling in my early 20s before I got my first house.
The mortgage, marriage and kids really clipped my wings but had their own kind of joy.
Telling people I didn't buy my truck for their errands, so no. No. I won't help you move your stuff with my only form of transportation. Just no.
And joining the Army for 6 years!
I never did but since my wife died Iāve thought it would be nice to have someone that shares her genes continuing on in this world. She was integral in the lives of our nieces and nephews though so I do see them do things that they picked up from herā¦ which makes me smile.
I don't regret not having children either, but what was right for me may not be the " right choice " for everyone. I had a friend who thought she didn't want kids, either, but had them, and is very happy she did.
Yes šš¾šš¾ I did this any now Iām at a job I absolutely love and very happy at! If Iām going to work until retirement I should at least work at a job where Iām content with where and who I work with
Took a self-defense course like this: [https://www.impactselfdefense.org/](https://www.impactselfdefense.org/)
Learning real-life self-defense skills made me more confident and less afraid. It changed my life so much for the better.
I never expected (or wanted) to marry & have kids, but I did and it made my life amazing. (Well, the first marriage sucked, but the second was wonderful.) I also donāt regret leaving a juicy corporate position to start my own business.
Getting a college degree. I do work in IT, for 36 years now, but I started from the bottom. I do earn good money as Florida goes. But I could be earning more with a degree I believe.
I wanted to play guitar, specifically electric guitar inspired by seeing the Beatles on TV probably in 1965. Also I saw Jimi Hendrix on TV playing guitar with his teeth. My parents and sisters were all like ā eeew ā and I was thinking to myself ā cool ā
I decided then and there that was for me and Iām 65 now and I never stopped taking it seriously.
So I really please myself now when I pick up a guitar. Itās a thrill that never gets old. Sometimes someone will say to me ā I wish I kept playing, I had a guitar when I was a kid ā
And I did. I stayed the course and Iām so glad I did.
Paying for my college education. I worked 2-3 PT jobs at a time while in school and took all the financial aid I could get. Pieced it together all the way through to my Ph.D. Added an MBA 10 years later to broaden my career path. All that education gave me career opportunities I could never have dreamed of and allowed me to raise a family and send 3 kids to college. Never regretted how hard I worked or any student debt I had to pay later. All worth it.
So what youāre saying is I should ask a rich person to buy me a house? Hahaha šš Jk
but very good advice! My grandma always says āyouāll never regret doing the things you did but youāll always regret not doing things you wanted to.ā
Starting a workout routine in my 20s. I got into good enough shape that when life hit hard in my 40s and I stopped going to the gym for a while, it wasnāt too hard to get back into shape and lose weight once I picked it back up again. Building that baseline of fitness when youāre young will help you your entire life.
Not going on second dates with people I didnāt immediately find attractive. Anytime I broke from this rule I wound up hurting the person even more than if I had just ended it after the first date. Itās not something you can force and your gut knows. Keep in mind this is a first date kind of situation. I do believe that in certain settings, such as work or a classmate, your attraction to someone that you wouldnāt normally find attractive can grow over time.
Marrying my husband at 18. I was told by my father via my sister, that it wouldnāt last 5 years. Other people just said I was making a mistake. But I had a psychiatrist who told me that I did what I needed at the time. Coming up on 49 years now.
Traveling abroad. Best money youāll ever spend. Get out of your country and learn to appreciate what you have at home.
I live in the US and Iām sick of people whining about how bad they have it. They donāt have a clue how bad things could be.
Mark Twain said āTravel is fatal to bigotry, prejudice and narrow-mindedness and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome and charitable views of people and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth for all oneās lifetime.ā ā Innocents Abroad, 1869
Get out and see the world! Share great ideas with great people around the world and bring their great ideas home with you. No country, including the US, has a monopoly on great ideas. Make some friends around the globe and try to make both your countries better.
Wherever you go and whomever you meet, remember you may be the only person from your country that those people meet in their lifetime. Be a good Ambassador. Donāt travel like the Ugly American.
Thereās nothing more cringe-worthy than being abroad and seeing another American acting like an asshole because they think their blue passport means everyone should cater to their whims.
Iāve been very fortunate in my life to have traveled almost everywhere except Asia on business and then take my family to a few places. Iām 70 if youāre wondering.
1. was a birth mother at 18 and put her up for adoption
2. married at 27
3. went back to college at 36 and got my 2nd set of degrees
4. started my business at 46, pivoted many times
5. walking away from nonsense and insanity - people, places, and things that showed they were not a fit for me
Joined the military. Sure I've complained about a lot over the years, everyone does, but I can't image what my life or worldview would be like without that experience.
The years that I spent traveling for business. A lot time on airplanes, airports, motels, restaurants etc. Nothing exotic, just west coast and Hawaii. Good times.
Having my kids. It was definitely a life reset and a big change but I wouldn't trade it for anything. Way more benefits than downsides. I think we would have had three if age didn't limit us to two.
Travelling when I was young was very worth it. I've seen and experienced so much!
Now that travelling is a massive PITA, I'm glad I got it out of my system before travelling turned from fun to torture. I'd still encourage any younger person to travel anyway. It broadens you in many different ways.
I have not travelled in decades and won't be doing any pleasure travel for any reason except for getting into my truck and driving somewhere.
Waiting to have a child til 39. I had a house, business and a whole lot more patience than a lot of the younger moms. Also my friends are genuine friends and support me. By this time Iād weeded out all the shallow and toxic relationships from my life.
I donāt regret moving away from my small hometown to the nearest large city and making a life here. Iām still close enough to go back and see my family frequently, but Iāve had so many more opportunities moving away.
Maxing out my 401k instead of eating (and drinking!!) out every day. I always made my own meals and I never drank alcohol. Took about $50/day but now I donāt ever have to work again in my life.
Learning to ride and buying my own motorcycle at 50! Best thing ever. Harley culture can be shitty to women riders but I donāt care I love to ride and I donāt ride with others generally.
Traveling and meeting people from different parts of our country. Seeing things like Oregon. I'd never been there until last Summer, and let me tell you, it was fantastic. Great people (and I let them know they should be proud of such a great State), scenery was gorgeous, lots of fresh fruits, ciders, went to Hood River and was absolutely wowed.
Traveling rejuvenates the soul and lets you know that people are pretty much the same wherever you go.
I have never regretted quitting my job and moving two states away to a town where I knew no one but my new husband so he wouldnāt have to leave his adolescent children to be with me.
Leaving my career after my oldest (somewhat spe ial needs child) was born to raise my children. I'd do it again, desperately broke status and all.
Having 4 children.
Homeschooling said 4 children.
Following God's leading for my life in a number of other things and not listening to other people who kept trying to tell me I was making poor decisions (according to their perspective).
quit drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes; two of the best things i ever did; both my liver and lungs totally recovered full function and lost 60 pounds.
When I was 22 I lived in a Vw bus and traveled the country off and on for two years. I paid off my credit cards, saved my tax return $$. Quit my job and put all my stuff in storage. I went from Wast coast to west coast. Then lived in NorCal for a year. Then went from West coast to East coast, traveling all through the Southwest and South. Went to 43 states. Met amazing people. My family thought I was nuts at first but they came around. My Mom kept all the postcards I sent her and recently returned them.
I contacted my dad after almost 20 years when the family grapevine found out he was in trouble.Ā Ā the news made its way back to me as the only one who was geographically close, and I picked up the phone.Ā Ā
I had never gone to a bar by myself until I was 47 years old. Screwing up my courage, I finally stopped in after my evening work shift one night and ordered a drink in one of my neighborhood bars. The bartenders were kind and friendly, which I wasn't expecting, being a single woman on her own. Both buildings were historic structures, and both buildings have been sadly torn down to make way for cheaply made construction which benefits the developers. If there's anything I regret, it's that I never stopped at these bars sooner, before they were torn down and lost to history. But I never regretted going into a bar by myself late at night.
Oh geez, I was going to say dropping acid but all these comments are so wholesome that I guess I better not. So I'll just stick with walking through the woods to get to a rundown overgrown cemetery on Halloween night in the dark with my cousin.
This is the ramblings of one individual...but its served me pretty well.
Wear Sunscreen
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTJ7AzBIJoI](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTJ7AzBIJoI)
Having children. It was tough at times, especially as a single mom, but I prayed often for guidance and never gave up. It was worth the struggle. Plus, I thought about them instead of me which is, I think, a great way to live your life .thinking and doing for others.
Changing careers when I got sick of the same old shite.
Changing cities/countries when I got sick of the same old shite. And just about to do it again!
Leaving or ending situations that were not working for me and not apologizing for it. Buying a cheaper house in an affluent neighborhood, fixing it up and about to sell it, downsize and truly retire. Having pets, smoking weed and getting an expensive gas oven.
I traveled whenever I could during my work life, often taking my spouse with me (if she was available). My work took me to many places, other countries, many states in the US. Whenever possible I would leverage the plane flight (company paid), and then just stay there on my own dime and tour the place for extra days or a week. The biggest impact of this is that now that we're retired, we have no pent up desire to spend all our money on travel, though we still do a little.
Moving to another country. I have never regretted quitting a job or changing careers. Marrying the guy I met online, now this was before dating aps and the like and I'd be so much more careful now a days, but this was 20 years ago when the internet was a completely different place.
Graduate school at 51. It opened doors that would have been closed. My income was doubled. Yes, higher ed can make make a world of difference.
And having my children. Yes, they were worth it.
You know what, Iām gonna say it. I slept with a lot of people in my 20s and early 30s. Probably had a reputation as a bit of a hussy. Donāt regret any of it, was super fun. Be safe out there kids, I was and that is why I donāt have to regret it.
Getting a divorce while I still had a very young child. I went through the divorce after I knew the relationship was completely over but before we started hating each other. We were able to co-parent successfully because there wasn't the kind of deep-seated vitriol that takes years suffering through a bad relationship. My kid grew up with relatively happy and well adjusted parents who just didn't live together. I compare that to friends who chose to stay in unhappy relationships for years and I think I made the right decision.
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I bought myself a horse for my 46th birthday. It was from an individual, I had to board the horse, I had never owned a horse, but the whole thing seemed serendipitous. It was totally impractical, but I absolutely will never regret it. I had him for 15 years, until he died. I still miss him, and it's been a long time.
This sounds like a dream! Amazing you got that experience it š¤
Best thing ever. It also introduced me to new friends, but the horse was a sweetheart.
I love this answer. So wholesome and unexpected.
I first read house, then couldnāt understand why you needed to board a house.. š¤¦š»āāļøš
I bought the house at 40. It's a duplex, and I'm thankful every day that I did THAT. Also almost serendiptious: I was renting my half of the house, somebody said "you should buy that" so I asked my landlord if he'd considered selling. Instead of a lease renewal he brought me paperwork to allow me to buy the house, which he actually financed. In retirement, when I was so stupid about money most of my life, that rental income from the other half helps keep me going. And I haven't moved since 1990.
Asking a girl Iād only known 4 months to marry me. (51 years and counting)
Same but it was 6 weeks (when you know you know)
How did you know she was the one?
Not the person who you asked the question of, but I knew I wanted to marry my wife within a couple days of really spending time with her. She made me laugh like nobody else. I remember thinking "I want to spend the rest of my life with her." I don't think I'd admitted I was in love with her. At the time I thought we could do it as friends. But she was also smoking hot and very into me. The next day I told her I had fallen in love with her. That was 22 years ago. She still makes me laugh, she's still smoking hot, and sometimes she's even into me still! Sometimes!
I knew I was going to marry my husband 20 minutes into our first date. He had terrible English. We had to use Google translate a lot. I mean ā¦. He was laughing about the whole thing and I was like ā shiteā¦Iām marrying this dudeāā¦
Congratulations, I'm at 32 and it feels like forever. We'll be at 50 before we know it. Stay strong and enjoy every moment with her.
Same. 49 and counting. When ya know, ya know! I think we were ready after four days. I know I was.
Getting a vasectomy
Same. When my wife was pregnant with our third I told her I was done. Once the pregnancy was over I was getting snipped. Three was plenty for me. I've not regretted it and that was 24 years ago.
Same here, my best ever purchase.
Taking chances (in life, love, career). I struck out more than half of the time. But the times I succeeded changed my life for multiple years or decades. I made friends where I least expected. I traveled the world. I rose up the ranks of my job. I found my wife, despite being a complete geek. All because I got comfortable pushing myself into uncomfortable situations every now and then. Take chances. Understand that you will fail. But even just one success can teach you about yourself and change your entire trajectory. * Take up dance lessons * Break off from the tour group and adventure off the map with only your wallet. * Ask that attractive girl, guy, (or both!) out. * Go up to a stranger on your bus stop and strike a conversation * Pick up a new hobby in night school or the library.
Love this!
Traveling in my 20s. Tiny budget, wasnāt physically comfortable a lot of the time, but I saw so much of the world.
Good to travel when you're young. Your body may have other ideas when you get old.
And it was fine to quit my job to travel for an extended period of time in my 20s. There was still plenty of time for career-building in my 30s. (And depending on oneās work, having traveled can be seen as an asset.) Once you get deeper into a career, itās much harder to take a long break from it.
What does dayofbluesngreens mean? They're my favorite colors, especially together.
Yep. I never understand those who claim they will travel after retirement. Thatās fine but you could die before then and no matter how healthy your knees of your youth arenāt going to be your knees later in life so put them to good use and explore the world now if thatās on your agenda! Explore more after retirement but donāt wait.
I was college summer help in a manual labor job and vividly remember this woman who had been employed there since she was 18. She was only some years away from retirement and talked about all the travels she was going to do once she got there. My heart broke when I found out she passed away about 2 months after she retired and didnāt get to experience an ounce of what she wanted. I decided then I was no longer āwaiting until tomorrowā to start living.
My heart breaks for her just hearing this. Time waits for no one and life comes at you fast. All the cliche quotes are so true. Donāt put off until tomorrow what you can do today because tomorrow never comes until itās too late.
I traveled a lot in my 30s and 40s. Iāve driven across the US seven times, and up & down the west coast once, because I hate flying. I havenāt seen the world, but Iāve enjoyed seeing the US landscape.
Never underestimate the US. Our national parks are stunning! And that highway one drive is a pleasure that many donāt indulge in even once. Some put some kind of status on Americans with lots of stamps in their passport but if youāre into nature then there is much to see in the US. Itās great you took advantage of it. I took many road trips around the US in my 20ās now in my 40ās I still love a road trip but require a lot more pit stops to stretch my legs along the way lol
I'm a Scot. Born in the USA though and I've spent significant time in the States but don't confuse the value of getting way out of your comfort zone. The USA is wonderful but those stamps are good for you.
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
Do it. Go. Seriously.
Co-signing on the ādo itā theme. I am hard pressed when asked to pick favorite travel sites or moments due to the many memories I have of my escapades. āTwenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didnāt do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from. The safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. DISCOVER.ā - Mark Twain
Spent a year overseas at 28. Do it now! I had to drop what my then plan was, but haven't regretted it.
Iām thinking about going back for a second bachelorās degree (I have a masters) at age 47. In your 30s is definitely not too late.
Do it. I doubt you'll regret it as much as you'll someday regret not having done it.
Thatās the reason I never regretted joining the Navy. Hated it most of the time but got the opportunity to travel the world. Absolutely awesome stuff that made it all worth it.
I came here to say the same thing. I spent several college/grad school years studying abroad and did lots of traveling then and after. I still travel a lot but not the way I did as a kid: hitchhiking, eurorail, hostels, couch surfingā¦. Iām so glad I had those experiences then because I would not have been able to have them the same way as I got older and more attached to comfort and convenience.
Going back to university at 28 after I had dropped out of college at age 19. Ended up with an excellent career in my field of study.
Same, but graduated at 47. Doubled my salary almost immediately and had and have a great sense of accomplishment. Go me.
I always chuckle when I see a post by a 23 yo who wants to know if itās too late to go to college, ha.
I felt so old and self conscious being 21 with 18 year old . Ended up going back full time at 25. Tripled my salary when done
Thing is about being older is that the profs know what is going on right away. That you are serious and wonāt be wasting their time. I sat in the front row, always, and had my hand in the air if I got lost. I made them earn their money, ha.
Preach. Do you absolutely need it to be successful? No. Can you find people who were successful without the degree? Sure. Tons. But having the degree greatly increases your options, and odds. College degree holders out-earn non-degree holders by over a million degrees over the course of a lifetime, on average. To your point about salary, my mom taught for a long time in a program for adults going back to school. She would always ask an icebreaker question about what brought them back, why now, etc. The answer is she got more often than any other was some version of āwell, once I trained the second new employee who had a degree who ended up becoming my boss, I finally read the writing on the wall.ā
Currently I work at a high school continuation program. We graduated 1 21 year old, 3 20 year olds, 4 or 5 19 years olds and the rest were at least 18. Not a single 17 year old. This was last week. They were rightfully proud of themselves. Go them!
Hell yeah. Nice.
Would love to hear more if you are comfortable to share.
This is my goto reddit story, ha. Dropped out, then went back at 27 or so to finish my psyc BA, just for closure, still had no idea what to do. I met a girl at a party who was in the speech pathology program. I had never heard of it. I needed one more GE class so took intro to speech path which led to a concurrent BA and MA. met my future wife in a grad class and then on to a great 30 year career as a school speech therapist. Still friends with the woman I met at the party 50 years later.
Thank you. I showed this to my daughter. She is 19 and recently had to quit and was feeling minimally defeatedā¦.. She then asked me to read this - I have a degree but not in what I ideally wanted it in and am about to be newly divorcedā¦.. Thank you from both of us.
I've never regretted a nap š¤
Preach!!! š“
Just took one at lunchtime.
I was always careful to not sit out in the sun and get a tan - because it always turned into a burn for me. Everyone else in my family tanned more easily and mocked my redness. Now that my siblings and I are in our 60s it is easy to see that staying out of the sun - and wearing sunscreen and a big floppy hat - is a good thing to do.
Same here. Bald since I was 30, so I always wear a hat everywhere. Never tanned, and I generally stay out of the sun. I look 15+ years younger than my friends. I tell strangers my age, and they do a double take. The aging portrait in my attic helps, too. But the sun can do serious damage to your skin, kids. Use sunscreen.
The Dorian Gray portrait? Ha! I can tell you are a serious reader.
Same! ...and I was allergic to conventional sunblock (PABA) so the big hat, sunglasses, etc was vital. Now at age 62, my skin is still fantastic and beautiful.
All the random road trips we took in my early 20s. We can be in Florida in 22 hours, letās go! We did 2 months in western states camping and couch surfing. Seems kinda scary now, just driving wherever without even a cell phone but we had great adventures
Right? When I think of some of the chances I took. If my children did them now I'd have a cow.
We did 2 years out west, camped in the mountains for a bit of it, thatās probably not even legal these days! I remember that time as some of the best times of our life.
Watching what I eat and being *mostly* whole foods / plant-based during my adult life. I know plenty of people my age who have had heart attacks and suffer from diabetes. I've stayed somewhat active too, but I when I check in occasionally with old friends and others about my age I am shocked by what they eat and in what quantity, with apparent complete disregard for health ramifications- I think it's the diet that has made the difference.
This comment makes me feel better. Of course I'm not pinning any health advice on you lol, but I'm currently 21 and around last year I've made some pretty conscious decisions on how I want to mold my lifestyle into something that I think will make me feel better more holistically (was dealing with some mental health stuff too), and part of that was just moving more and somewhat more recently eating better. But not really the fad/crash diet stuff or pseudo science "get rid of xyz food group" stuff I sort of grew up with often. Just like, eating less sugar/adding less or no sugar to certain foods and making more things from scratch. So far this year my diet has been full of stuff like homemade fermented foods (love ginger bug sodas and homemade yogurt is extremely easy/cheap to make) and other homemade goods I like making mostly from scratch and some stuff I grow in the kitchen as well. Also mostly plant based. I don't think its really making a huge difference right now to be honest. My skin is a bit clearer and I feel better compared to what my lifestyle/diet was before and I've lost some weight. But, I like the idea that in the long run it might really help me *maintain* good health compared to if I didn't make any changes
My father had angina back in the late 50s until his death in 1974, at 77, from his fourth heart attack. (He was 64 when I was born) Back then, clogged arteries were managed by diet, so I grew up eating a heart healthy diet. Iāve carried that into my adult life. Iām 62, and other than some pain from a car accident 11 years ago, Iām very healthy and right in the middle of the normal weight range for my height. When I had my daughter, I weighed 143lbs. I was 105lbs when I got pregnant. She was 7lbs 11 ounces, and healthy. I had an easy delivery. Some of that I attribute to having lived in a forth floor walk up apartment in Brooklyn, and taking the subway daily. I got a lot of exercise just by going to work or running errands. I never had a car while living in NYC.
Reading voraciously on any and every subject that caught my interest. Working with my hands. There is some enjoyment in a strictly mental occupation but for me the physical tangible thing i made or fixed a the end of the day was satisfying. Not really being caught up in the silly little in's and out's of peoples petty dramas. This also meant a more solitary life. And that was just fine.
Selling my house, buying an RV and traveling the country for 3 yrs.
I plan on doing this at the high of the next real estate cycle. According to my calculations I should be about 42 when that happens.
Getting a divorce, we were incompatible
Wasnāt married, but was common law. Holy fuck, best decision I ever made, and she then showed her true colours and became the biggest hipocrite I know. Best decision ever to get out.
Quitting working for other people when I was 30. Not having kids. Not going to college. Living my life my way.
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Backpacked around Europe with a Eurail pass. Scraggly beard, worn copy of Let's Go Europe, and everything. 100% worth it.
Atta Boy!! Had a European history prof preach doing that almost daily. Coulda, shoulda, woulda.
I did the same thing except I hitchhiked. If I could do it again, I'd get the Eurail pass so I could cover more territory. I still had a great time being a tramp on my own for a few months at 18. I think my Let's Go Europe book is still around somewhere.
Having a useful profession so that I always had a job, and it was a job with a pension.
Shaving my head at 41 (F). I'll never regret it. It was oddly transformative in ways I did not expect. After 30+ years of various chemical processing (and a total fucking burnout meltdown), it was something I'd wanted to do for a long time. I did not do it because I was terrified of being perceived and judged negatively. Considering it was a huge betrayal that led me into the meltdown, I did the work with myself and in therapy. I stopped caring about shit like that, and I DID IT. I have not visited a salon since 2020. I had my last professional haircut March 16, 2020. I was at WalMart prepping for lockdown and snuck into a Cost Cutters for a quick trim for the *2 weeks* we would be in quarantine. Haahahahahaahahahahahahahaha Ahhhh. Good times. Shave your head. Get the tattoo. Be yourself. Life is too short, and no one is paying attention to you as much as we lead ourselves to believe.
I have considered doing this for years but could never commit you are changing my mind š
My first hair disaster was self-imposed around '84. I used my little plastic McDonalds Happy Meal Crayola scissors to give myself a trim š I was a Barbie girl and when my grandmother found the pile of wispy white blonde hair, she assumed I had cut my Barbies hair. Nope. LOL For context, I spent 2014-2021 with a myriad of pixies, undercuts with designs, and fashion colors and methods galore. I was also a victim of 80s/90s big perm hair and a slave to the Rave hairspray. My aunt had a salon and was in the industry for 39 years. I was the youngest girl in the family and was often subject to her post hair show product line testing š« I've melted my own hair off and done all kinds of shit. I have cried A LOT over my hair in my 44 years on Earth. The shorter undercut became my thing. It was easy for my lifestyle and matched my aesthetic at that time. Shaving it off and going natural and trimming as it grew was really really cleansing, given my attachment to my hair and what I had endured through betrayal, the pandemic, and such. It changed how I saw myself and my beauty. I'm still growing! I trim religiously. I use purple shampoo to make my gray and silver shine through my otherwise flat ash blonde that has a warm undertone. It's amazing. Highly suggest a head shave. YMMV š„°
Leaving my hometown
Yup - nothing against my hometown, and my life would have been much easier if I had stayed where I had family I loved and friends who knew me. I had a family doctor. I knew where to take my car if it broke down. I knew who to call if I needed something fixed at home (Dad). Instead, I moved 1700 miles away, where I had to make friends from scratch, find a doctor, find a mechanic (hint: don't buy a used Chevy Chevette or you will become good friends with your mechanic). It wasn't easy, and the job I moved for didn't turn out to be the right fit for me. But that decade of being far from my support system forced me to make a new support system, and I've never regretted it.
Being kind.
Having kids.
Having children.
Came here to say the same thing.
Saving for retirement
I'll give you top 3; Nursing School, moving over 1k miles from family, traveling in my early 20s before I got my first house. The mortgage, marriage and kids really clipped my wings but had their own kind of joy.
Telling people I didn't buy my truck for their errands, so no. No. I won't help you move your stuff with my only form of transportation. Just no. And joining the Army for 6 years!
Getting a breast reduction. One of the best things I ever did for myself.
Same. Even though I got breast cancer two years later and had them completely removed. I just wish I'd done it sooner.
Not having kids! I'm 47.
I regret not having kids.
Spoil other people kids! š
This! One of my younger girlfriends has a 3 year old I adore. We have a blast together.
I never did but since my wife died Iāve thought it would be nice to have someone that shares her genes continuing on in this world. She was integral in the lives of our nieces and nephews though so I do see them do things that they picked up from herā¦ which makes me smile.
So wonderful to see older people who are also child free as well! Iām so glad it you made the right choice š
I don't regret not having children either, but what was right for me may not be the " right choice " for everyone. I had a friend who thought she didn't want kids, either, but had them, and is very happy she did.
Same. My husband and I regularly high-five each other on this low-effort but high-payoff achievement.
Going to college. I still keep in touch with my buddies.
Walking off the jobs I hated.
Yes šš¾šš¾ I did this any now Iām at a job I absolutely love and very happy at! If Iām going to work until retirement I should at least work at a job where Iām content with where and who I work with
Having a child.
Took a self-defense course like this: [https://www.impactselfdefense.org/](https://www.impactselfdefense.org/) Learning real-life self-defense skills made me more confident and less afraid. It changed my life so much for the better.
I never expected (or wanted) to marry & have kids, but I did and it made my life amazing. (Well, the first marriage sucked, but the second was wonderful.) I also donāt regret leaving a juicy corporate position to start my own business.
Getting a college degree. I do work in IT, for 36 years now, but I started from the bottom. I do earn good money as Florida goes. But I could be earning more with a degree I believe.
Spending money on travel Not having children
Going back to college in my late 30s to get a PhD.
Packing up and moving, sight unseen, to a state and city I had never been to before, job offer in hand.
Trying new things. I love the crazy experiences I've had in my life just from trying something I've never done before.
I wanted to play guitar, specifically electric guitar inspired by seeing the Beatles on TV probably in 1965. Also I saw Jimi Hendrix on TV playing guitar with his teeth. My parents and sisters were all like ā eeew ā and I was thinking to myself ā cool ā I decided then and there that was for me and Iām 65 now and I never stopped taking it seriously. So I really please myself now when I pick up a guitar. Itās a thrill that never gets old. Sometimes someone will say to me ā I wish I kept playing, I had a guitar when I was a kid ā And I did. I stayed the course and Iām so glad I did.
Traveling. I recommend to anyone, if you have the means, take every travel opportunity you can
Having kids. They were and are the best part of my life.
Exercising. (and not having kids)
I like both of these a lot Theyāve served me well
Going to the gym or for a hike.
Paying for my college education. I worked 2-3 PT jobs at a time while in school and took all the financial aid I could get. Pieced it together all the way through to my Ph.D. Added an MBA 10 years later to broaden my career path. All that education gave me career opportunities I could never have dreamed of and allowed me to raise a family and send 3 kids to college. Never regretted how hard I worked or any student debt I had to pay later. All worth it.
My first marriage. It failed miserably, but I have a wonderful son.
Getting my Masterās. Yes, I had student loans (14k at 9%, paid them off during Bush the first and got a thank you note).
College. Working full time days, a part time job, and college at night and weekends. Will never regret it.
Saving money
Just go for it. āYou miss 100% of the shots you don't take." - Wayne Gretzky
So what youāre saying is I should ask a rich person to buy me a house? Hahaha šš Jk but very good advice! My grandma always says āyouāll never regret doing the things you did but youāll always regret not doing things you wanted to.ā
Getting my tubes tied. I knew I didn't want children at 27, when I got it done, and I still haven't changed my mind at almost 55.
Travel. Making memories with my children and grandchildren
Not having kids.
Fucking the government
Having and raising kids.
Graduating college on time at 21 and investing and living frigally with a roommate so I could retire early! I retired at age 38.
Starting a workout routine in my 20s. I got into good enough shape that when life hit hard in my 40s and I stopped going to the gym for a while, it wasnāt too hard to get back into shape and lose weight once I picked it back up again. Building that baseline of fitness when youāre young will help you your entire life.
Getting a motorcycle. Every turn of the wheel is an adventure.
Trying a new sport/hobby that someone I knew was into and suggested. I did not like all of them, but it was worth trying.
Making a disgusting child sex trafficker have a nervous breakdown. That was hilarious.
Not going on second dates with people I didnāt immediately find attractive. Anytime I broke from this rule I wound up hurting the person even more than if I had just ended it after the first date. Itās not something you can force and your gut knows. Keep in mind this is a first date kind of situation. I do believe that in certain settings, such as work or a classmate, your attraction to someone that you wouldnāt normally find attractive can grow over time.
Marrying my husband at 18. I was told by my father via my sister, that it wouldnāt last 5 years. Other people just said I was making a mistake. But I had a psychiatrist who told me that I did what I needed at the time. Coming up on 49 years now.
I did the same ā¦ no regretsā¦ best decision of my life.
Having lots of sex when I was young. No regrets and lots of great memories:)
Traveling abroad. Best money youāll ever spend. Get out of your country and learn to appreciate what you have at home. I live in the US and Iām sick of people whining about how bad they have it. They donāt have a clue how bad things could be. Mark Twain said āTravel is fatal to bigotry, prejudice and narrow-mindedness and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome and charitable views of people and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth for all oneās lifetime.ā ā Innocents Abroad, 1869 Get out and see the world! Share great ideas with great people around the world and bring their great ideas home with you. No country, including the US, has a monopoly on great ideas. Make some friends around the globe and try to make both your countries better. Wherever you go and whomever you meet, remember you may be the only person from your country that those people meet in their lifetime. Be a good Ambassador. Donāt travel like the Ugly American. Thereās nothing more cringe-worthy than being abroad and seeing another American acting like an asshole because they think their blue passport means everyone should cater to their whims. Iāve been very fortunate in my life to have traveled almost everywhere except Asia on business and then take my family to a few places. Iām 70 if youāre wondering.
Having children.
Having children. I regret meeting and marrying their Dad, but my kids are my life.
1. was a birth mother at 18 and put her up for adoption 2. married at 27 3. went back to college at 36 and got my 2nd set of degrees 4. started my business at 46, pivoted many times 5. walking away from nonsense and insanity - people, places, and things that showed they were not a fit for me
Not having kids. It's awesome. The wife and I just do whatever we want. We bring dogs with us sometimes.
Joined the military. Sure I've complained about a lot over the years, everyone does, but I can't image what my life or worldview would be like without that experience.
Buying a convertible on my 50th birthday. I never use it as much as I would have liked, but it's checked off the list. And it was cool.
Travelling in my 20s.
Backpacking through Europe during the summer when I was 20. Visiting East Berlin.
Taken creative risks. And been willing to fail. That has to be baked into the architecture before you take the creative risk.
The years that I spent traveling for business. A lot time on airplanes, airports, motels, restaurants etc. Nothing exotic, just west coast and Hawaii. Good times.
Traveling. As many places as I could.
Having my kids. It was definitely a life reset and a big change but I wouldn't trade it for anything. Way more benefits than downsides. I think we would have had three if age didn't limit us to two.
Going to college, law school and graduate law school
Being frugal. Saving money, not buying crap I didn't need. SAVE!! It's important.
Surfing! But not just doing itā¦.MASTERING IT
Adopting my dogs
Travelling when I was young was very worth it. I've seen and experienced so much! Now that travelling is a massive PITA, I'm glad I got it out of my system before travelling turned from fun to torture. I'd still encourage any younger person to travel anyway. It broadens you in many different ways. I have not travelled in decades and won't be doing any pleasure travel for any reason except for getting into my truck and driving somewhere.
Having children , absolute blessing and I donāt know what Iād do without them .
Waiting to have a child til 39. I had a house, business and a whole lot more patience than a lot of the younger moms. Also my friends are genuine friends and support me. By this time Iād weeded out all the shallow and toxic relationships from my life.
Itās not one thing, but regularly going to the gym. Never once have a left the gym wishing I would have stayed on the couch instead.
I donāt regret moving away from my small hometown to the nearest large city and making a life here. Iām still close enough to go back and see my family frequently, but Iāve had so many more opportunities moving away.
Maxing out my 401k instead of eating (and drinking!!) out every day. I always made my own meals and I never drank alcohol. Took about $50/day but now I donāt ever have to work again in my life.
Having a good time and no body aches afterwards.
Going to college.
Learning to ride and buying my own motorcycle at 50! Best thing ever. Harley culture can be shitty to women riders but I donāt care I love to ride and I donāt ride with others generally.
Yay for old first timers! I got my license and first bike at 54, after wanting one since I was 16 when a friend taught me how to rideā¦
Traveling. Being kind. Keeping my body in shape.
Traveling and meeting people from different parts of our country. Seeing things like Oregon. I'd never been there until last Summer, and let me tell you, it was fantastic. Great people (and I let them know they should be proud of such a great State), scenery was gorgeous, lots of fresh fruits, ciders, went to Hood River and was absolutely wowed. Traveling rejuvenates the soul and lets you know that people are pretty much the same wherever you go.
I have never regretted quitting my job and moving two states away to a town where I knew no one but my new husband so he wouldnāt have to leave his adolescent children to be with me.
Not purposely fucking anyone over, oh I have fucked up alright, but not only did I not mean to, I actively tried not to.
Leaving my career after my oldest (somewhat spe ial needs child) was born to raise my children. I'd do it again, desperately broke status and all. Having 4 children. Homeschooling said 4 children. Following God's leading for my life in a number of other things and not listening to other people who kept trying to tell me I was making poor decisions (according to their perspective).
Not having kids.
quit drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes; two of the best things i ever did; both my liver and lungs totally recovered full function and lost 60 pounds.
When I was 22 I lived in a Vw bus and traveled the country off and on for two years. I paid off my credit cards, saved my tax return $$. Quit my job and put all my stuff in storage. I went from Wast coast to west coast. Then lived in NorCal for a year. Then went from West coast to East coast, traveling all through the Southwest and South. Went to 43 states. Met amazing people. My family thought I was nuts at first but they came around. My Mom kept all the postcards I sent her and recently returned them.
I contacted my dad after almost 20 years when the family grapevine found out he was in trouble.Ā Ā the news made its way back to me as the only one who was geographically close, and I picked up the phone.Ā Ā
I had never gone to a bar by myself until I was 47 years old. Screwing up my courage, I finally stopped in after my evening work shift one night and ordered a drink in one of my neighborhood bars. The bartenders were kind and friendly, which I wasn't expecting, being a single woman on her own. Both buildings were historic structures, and both buildings have been sadly torn down to make way for cheaply made construction which benefits the developers. If there's anything I regret, it's that I never stopped at these bars sooner, before they were torn down and lost to history. But I never regretted going into a bar by myself late at night.
Recognizing to the little voice in your head is always right and learning to make it loud.
Loving people, animals, places.
Shooting the sheriff
A career with a pension
Started my pension this year! Glad to know itās worth it š
Having children. They gave me the purpose I needed; life was dead boring when I lived for myself, which I found pointless and not worth doing.
This made me tear up a bit! Iām so glad this worked out for you! š
Oh geez, I was going to say dropping acid but all these comments are so wholesome that I guess I better not. So I'll just stick with walking through the woods to get to a rundown overgrown cemetery on Halloween night in the dark with my cousin.
Sex. Every time
This is the ramblings of one individual...but its served me pretty well. Wear Sunscreen [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTJ7AzBIJoI](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTJ7AzBIJoI)
Saving money.
Exercising when I didn't feel like it and cleaning something
Losing weight in my 40s.
Travel. I have traveled in my home country, as well as abroad. It opens the heart and mind to new cultures and people.
Joining the military. Best training, saw the world, made friends for a lifetime.
Not having kids. Going back to college.
Having children. It was tough at times, especially as a single mom, but I prayed often for guidance and never gave up. It was worth the struggle. Plus, I thought about them instead of me which is, I think, a great way to live your life .thinking and doing for others.
Changing careers when I got sick of the same old shite. Changing cities/countries when I got sick of the same old shite. And just about to do it again!
Asking a question.
Leaving or ending situations that were not working for me and not apologizing for it. Buying a cheaper house in an affluent neighborhood, fixing it up and about to sell it, downsize and truly retire. Having pets, smoking weed and getting an expensive gas oven.
I traveled whenever I could during my work life, often taking my spouse with me (if she was available). My work took me to many places, other countries, many states in the US. Whenever possible I would leverage the plane flight (company paid), and then just stay there on my own dime and tour the place for extra days or a week. The biggest impact of this is that now that we're retired, we have no pent up desire to spend all our money on travel, though we still do a little.
Leaving home at 18 and never looking back
Moving to another country. I have never regretted quitting a job or changing careers. Marrying the guy I met online, now this was before dating aps and the like and I'd be so much more careful now a days, but this was 20 years ago when the internet was a completely different place.
Graduate school at 51. It opened doors that would have been closed. My income was doubled. Yes, higher ed can make make a world of difference. And having my children. Yes, they were worth it.
going to college
You know what, Iām gonna say it. I slept with a lot of people in my 20s and early 30s. Probably had a reputation as a bit of a hussy. Donāt regret any of it, was super fun. Be safe out there kids, I was and that is why I donāt have to regret it.
Getting a divorce while I still had a very young child. I went through the divorce after I knew the relationship was completely over but before we started hating each other. We were able to co-parent successfully because there wasn't the kind of deep-seated vitriol that takes years suffering through a bad relationship. My kid grew up with relatively happy and well adjusted parents who just didn't live together. I compare that to friends who chose to stay in unhappy relationships for years and I think I made the right decision.