Do you really regret things the rest of your life from your 20's? (school, living in) - Hawaii (HI) - City-Data Forum

whtviper1 · 06-13-2012, 04:21 AM

Catching up on posts tonight - just got back from Vegas and the World Series of Poker - if you play poker I recommend it.

And I see this quote in another thread "you'll spend the rest of your life wondering "what if", it was referencing someone in their 20's potentially moving to Hawaii. And it got me kind of sad - do people really "what if" the rest of their life?

And it got me thinking - do others on here really make decisions in your 20's (besides maybe things that send you to jail) that have you in your 30's, 40's, 50's - and more that have you still wondering "what if"? I'm in my 40's and my 20's are a distant past at this point - I do now what I didn't back then.

What about you? Do you "what if" your decisions from your 20's as you've gotten older?

Tiger Beer · 06-13-2012, 04:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whtviper1

Catching up on posts tonight - just got back from Vegas and the World Series of Poker - if you play poker I recommend it.

And I see this quote in another thread "you'll spend the rest of your life wondering "what if", it was referencing someone in their 20's potentially moving to Hawaii. And it got me kind of sad - do people really "what if" the rest of their life?

And it got me thinking - do others on here really make decisions in your 20's (besides maybe things that send you to jail) that have you in your 30's, 40's, 50's - and more that have you still wondering "what if"? I'm in my 40's and my 20's are a distant past at this point - I do now what I didn't back then.

What about you? Do you "what if" your decisions from your 20's as you've gotten older?

I pretty much went for everything I wanted to do when I was in my 20s, so have no regrets. Can't answer.

I will say though, the World Series of Poker....very nice! I've been wanting to go there for a very long time, but I will say, I have no regrets for not having been there yet!

McFrostyJ · 06-13-2012, 05:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tiger Beer

I pretty much went for everything I wanted to do when I was in my 20s, so have no regrets.

Same here!

alex7777 · 06-13-2012, 06:02 AM

They say you're more likely to regret the things you didn't do than the things you did do, and I tend to agree.

I would say marrying the wrong person in your 20's could end up being a big time/money waster. But trying out someplace like Hawaii before doing something more conventional/"responsible"? I can't imagine regretting that. There's plenty of time later to get old and jaded.

If I regret anything, it's not trying more wild/different jobs in my youth, like bartending -- and not living in more areas like Hawaii, key west, etc. But I can (and will) still do those things.

My only advice would be to enjoy everything wild and crazy before you have responsibilities, and can't do so as much. In other words, don't get married until it really, really feels right, and you feel compelled to (by your own heart). And don't have kids until the same dynamic occurs (ideally closer to 30 than 20, unless kids are really your dream.)

Basically, don't do anything just because others (family, society, etc.) pressures you too. Life is too short and precious to be wasted living for other people (except the people you actually get off living for, like your significant other / spouse and kids.)

Bideshi · 06-13-2012, 06:06 AM

I did things in my 20s I really wish I could undo. Yes, regrets.

Oleg Bach · 06-13-2012, 06:08 AM

Should regret running off with that young woman and leaving school- Should regret pairing up with the mother of my four children- should regret a lot of things- but call it fate- Despite the fact that my mate was the wrong person- and despite the fact that I did not get a formal education- My children were meant to be born- my un- institutional out look due to lack of formal training is very useful- all that has happened that I should and do regret was meant to be- I may not like it but it made me who I am- and who I am is just the way it is.

MickeyE · 06-13-2012, 09:01 AM

The only thing I wanted to do in my 20's that I regret not doing was learning to fly. Now that I am 74 I still would like to, but it is much more expensive now and my wife doesn't like the idea at all.

Mickey

alex7777 · 06-13-2012, 01:49 PM

Mickey -- my father is 73, and he started learning to fly this year. It's never too late.

PaliPatty · 06-13-2012, 02:00 PM

As an older person I think that if you're happy with your lot in life now you're a lot less likely to have regrets. After all, if you had done things differently, would you be in the place (physically, emotionally, etceterally, LOL) that you are now?
Perhaps I would have handled some situations differently---jeez, no one is perfect---but all in all, no desire to change my overall life course.
I look back at some choices I made and go "YIKES" but I wouldn't change them because those choices led me on paths that led to where I am now, if that makes sense. It's a pretty good place, all things considered.
And of course they added to my vast database of knowledge and experience >smile<.

bronzephoenix · 06-13-2012, 02:31 PM

Well... This may not apply to me just yet (I'm in my twenties)... but I can look back into my teens and see mistakes galore. However, I learned so much from them; they've given me character (as scars can) and just a PINCH of "wisdom" that I wouldn't have had otherwise. Still, there are teenaged parts of me that should never grow old & dreams I shouldn't ever oppress/relinquish. Whether its 5, 10 or 50 years from now, I can't really be too harsh on myself for doing what I thought was best "back then". No matter how flat I fell on my face... Smh. I think It's all quite beautiful really....