Regrets, I've had a few!

Scarab

Thought it might be interesting to hear about things that have happened in the past that you've come to bitterly regret over the years.
In my own case, there have been very many, not least of which was my decision to leave grammar school during my A-levels instead of following through and thence to university (for financial reasons).
At this point I should say I've just written a whole litany of regrets which I've had to delete as they were rapidly filling the page.
I''ll elaborate further once others have brought a few of their own to the table!

Valli

TBH there were a few decisions I have made which, in retrospect, were probably not the best ones I could have made.

However, had I not taken the path I did I wouldn't have had DS and DD.

And I wouldn't change them for the world.

So I don't have any regrets.

I got to Uni eventually, and now have a degree.

mandi

My list would be far too long .:o

If Only we all had a rewind button :j

Alikay

A few times I've treated others in a way I wouldn't want someone to treat me. Its been nothing too heinous, but I know I should've behaved more decently

fairy_lights

Interesting idea for a thread!
I think the thing I regret most deeply is not working harder at school. I was a naturally smart kid and loved studying but learnt that being clever wasn't "cool", and was too timid to speak out in class, so gradually let myself fall behind. Who knows where I could be now if I'd resisted the peer pressure and achieved my full potential.
Other regrets; not eating healthier and exercising when I was a teenager. I binged on junk food for years and ended up with weight issues that I'm still trying to sort out in my late 20's. I realise now that your health is so important, but couldn't see it at the time.
Another big one; wasting time on certain toxic friendships. I've had a few friends over the years who looking back were truly horrible people who's friendship did nothing but harm to my self esteem. Life is too short to waste on people who don't treat you well and bring out the best in you.
These are my main ones but if I think about it I'm sure I've got a lot more! I've learnt important lessons from my major regrets, but that doesn't make them any less painful.

Indie_Kid

Making friends with certain people. Only broke up with them once they showed their true colours, which was basically blaiming me for their !!!! and telling me I need to look up the definition of friend because I don't want attention 24/7.

Getting help for my depression (as I was told by numerous people) before it got out of control.

time2deal

Why wasn't I more confident when I was young!?!

Looking back at myself now I was beautiful, intelligent and had the world at my feet, but I was too afraid of other peoples opinions to grasp it all. I got there eventually, but just wish I started living my own life earlier.

Otherwise I don't regret much... although I do wish the 'reply all' option could be disabled on my blackberry when I go out drinking.

Hermia

I regret not working harder in school. I did pretty well, but I possibly could have got into Oxbridge. I have friends who went and I know I would have absolutely loved the experience.

I also wish I had been more fearless when I was younger. I wish I had grabbed every opportunity with both hands and did things that scared me. I wish I had realised how it is so much harder to do these things when you are older and have responsibilities. I have young friends who have done more in their few years of adulthood than most people do in their whole life.

Georgiegirl256

time2deal wrote: »

Why wasn't I more confident when I was young!?!

Looking back at myself now I was beautiful, intelligent and had the world at my feet, but I was too afraid of other peoples opinions to grasp it all. I got there eventually, but just wish I started living my own life earlier.

Exactly this. When I look back I could kick myself about worrying so much about how I looked, was I good enough etc. I always had loads of attention off men, they obviously thought I was ok, but I could never see it myself, I was always worrying about my skin (I actually had and still have good skin), thinking it was awful, and worrying about how I was too skinny, I wasn't, that was just my build. I spent too much time worrying about what others thought about me, thinking I wasn't good enough etc. it's only as I've older that I realise all that worrying was for nothing.

I'm still a worrier, but I worry a whole lot less about superficial things like looks and more on the more important things in life.

paulineb_2

Staying in one relationship way too long. But I don't kick myself for it either.

Accepting a job that I had a very strong negative feeling about even before I was offered it. But if I hadn't taken that and gone through some tough stuff I probably wouldn't have gone back to university later on or be doing what I'm doing now.

Apart from that I think even the poor choices along the way I've learned a lot from and become stronger for it.

trolleyrun

I wish I hadn't listened to my parents.