ADVERTISEMENT

Many believe regret is a wasted emotion because you can’t turn back time and undo the past. But for some, it’s a sting that never goes away, a scar that forever reminds them of missed opportunities in life.

Recently, someone on Reddit asked a rather existential question: “What do you regret not appreciating more when you were younger?” Responses poured in as people talked about how they should’ve spent more time with close friends or taken their parents’ advice. 

While they carry a somber tone, these stories could be a reminder of how important it is to live life to the fullest. Scroll through and feel free to join in on the discussion in the comments below.

This post may include affiliate links.

#1

Older Adults Regret Not taking The Time To Enjoy These 30 Things When They Were Young My grandparents’ life experiences. I wish I had asked and preserved their stories. One grandmother was born in1899 and lived to 95. Think of all she saw and lived through. Damn it, why didn’t I ask her when I could?

melina26 , Andrea Piacquadio Report

Final score:
57points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
#2

Older Adults Regret Not taking The Time To Enjoy These 30 Things When They Were Young How much potential I really did have. I just lacked the self confidence. I'm trying to instill that in my children right now. One in particular. The fear of failure is real for everyone, but so is actually FAILING. EVERYONE fails. Nothing worthwhile is accomplished easily. It took me almost forty years to learn that.

Nonchalant_Khan , Andrea Piacquadio Report

Final score:
52points
Add photo comments
POST
hea_c avatar
StrangeOne
StrangeOne
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Every time I have aspirational ideas I get shot down. "Oh, that's not a good career. There's so much toxic fumes." "But it's a really hard job and a lot of pressure. I don't think you will be able to do it." Just makes me mad and want to prove people wrong. Then I get stuck because I really want some encouragement and support.

Vote comment up
9
9points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#3

Older Adults Regret Not taking The Time To Enjoy These 30 Things When They Were Young My cat.

We were always together and I spent multiple days just lying in bed holding him, but I still feel like I didn't spend enough time with him.

Oddish_Femboy , Manja Vitolic Report

Final score:
44points
Add photo comments
POST
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#4

Older Adults Regret Not taking The Time To Enjoy These 30 Things When They Were Young Being able to sleep was something I took utterly for granted. I miss those days so much.

helcat , Isabella Fischer Report

Final score:
42points
Add photo comments
POST
hea_c avatar
StrangeOne
StrangeOne
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I used to sleep in a lot. "What a waste of a day." I would hear from my mom's husband at the time.

Vote comment up
6
6points
Vote comment down
reply
View more commentsArrow down menu
#5

Older Adults Regret Not taking The Time To Enjoy These 30 Things When They Were Young The simple joys of being carefree—like long summer days and endless playtime!

Right_Cabinet_7721 , Ron Lach Report

Final score:
41points
Add photo comments
POST
sarah-jones avatar
sbj
sbj
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I was younger I never believed the phrase "Schooldays are the best days of your life" now I really understand what it meant, not having to worry about where money comes from and the little worries I had in those times

Vote comment up
5
5points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#6

Older Adults Regret Not taking The Time To Enjoy These 30 Things When They Were Young My spine and knees being pain-free. Just walking the dog hurts these days.

Thoracic_Snark , Karolina Kaboompics Report

Final score:
41points
Add photo comments
POST
peterozea avatar
FrogMan
FrogMan
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just started PT because it turns out that 25 years of sitting like The Blob at a desk isn’t good for your back

Vote comment up
6
6points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#7

Well, I definitely regret not appreciating the fact that I could eat a whole pizza and not gain a pound. #MetabolismMatters.

AbalonePotential8805 Report

Final score:
36points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
#8

Older Adults Regret Not taking The Time To Enjoy These 30 Things When They Were Young My parents youth. Mom’s 70 now, and it’s incredible hard to see her slow down.

Routine-Argument485 , Ron Lach Report

Final score:
35points
Add photo comments
POST
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
#9

Older Adults Regret Not taking The Time To Enjoy These 30 Things When They Were Young Where I lived. It's so easy to find a reason to hate wherever you are. But at the end of the day, you still live there. Might as well try to appreciate the good things about it.

HimboVegan , Stephen Ilkiw Report

Final score:
34points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
#10

I was always clever, but for some reason, I was ashamed of it. Being academically gifted was somehow uncool. So I dumbed myself down and d**ked around and kind of didn’t fulfill my potential.

fewerifyouplease Report

Final score:
32points
Add photo comments
POST
v1i4pptl avatar
Vay
Vay
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don’t understand why the intellectual was the loser in every media production. Why was thought discouraged? Some go on to change the world with technology and medicine and more.

Vote comment up
8
8points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#11

Older Adults Regret Not taking The Time To Enjoy These 30 Things When They Were Young My free time. I really didn't think that having a 9-5 and kids would leave me with so little of me time.

ilikeballs2048 , Lisa Fotios Report

Final score:
30points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
#12

Older Adults Regret Not taking The Time To Enjoy These 30 Things When They Were Young Time spent with friends who have since drifted away. We thought we’d always be together, but life had other plans.

Delicious_Tits003 , Maxim Hopman Report

Final score:
29points
Add photo comments
POST
chrisdomres avatar
keyboardtek
keyboardtek
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I purposely stopped associating with friends when they went to the dark side and started following Rush Limbaugh and hate politics and then became Born-again Christians who are now intolerant of anyone who does not believe their point of view.

Vote comment up
10
10points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#13

Older Adults Regret Not taking The Time To Enjoy These 30 Things When They Were Young The elasticity of my body!!

Imtifflish24 , Tim Mossholder Report

Final score:
28points
Add photo comments
POST
megapod1949 avatar
Robert Trebor
Robert Trebor
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was really offended when a podiatrist told me the reason my toes felt tight was because my skin was less elastic. I'm 75, with reduced elasticity.

Vote comment up
4
4points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#14

Older Adults Regret Not taking The Time To Enjoy These 30 Things When They Were Young How easy it was to socialize in college. It's frustrating and difficult to make new friends as an adult, and even more so to date.

KingBassTrombone , Charles DeLoye Report

Final score:
27points
Add photo comments
POST
blushsunset avatar
Jeanne
Jeanne
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Being in high school and college, before the internet, was great. Lots of real interactions and phone calls.

Vote comment up
5
5points
Vote comment down
reply
View more commentsArrow down menu
#15

Older Adults Regret Not taking The Time To Enjoy These 30 Things When They Were Young My metabolism.

BunnyHopScotchWhisky , Nguyễn Khanh Report

Final score:
27points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
#16

Older Adults Regret Not taking The Time To Enjoy These 30 Things When They Were Young 20/20 eyesight. Damn genes.

yunaamizuki , David Travis Report

Final score:
26points
Add photo comments
POST
megapod1949 avatar
Robert Trebor
Robert Trebor
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I put my first pair of glasses on in 1954, aged 4. I got vision correcting cataract surgery 65 years later, in 2019, aged 69. Just now (October 2024)) had an eye exam and still everything is fine with no glasses, except $10 cheaters for fine print. Still do the end table grab in morning sometimes, and am constantly trying to push up the glasses that are not on my nose.

Vote comment up
7
7points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#17

Having energy….

The_Amazing_Username Report

Final score:
25points
Add photo comments
POST
skipscales avatar
Jay Scales
Jay Scales
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The thing I would wish for myself above all others is ENERGY!

Vote comment up
6
6points
Vote comment down
reply
View more commentsArrow down menu
#18

Older Adults Regret Not taking The Time To Enjoy These 30 Things When They Were Young The opportunity to have a good education.

anon , Abby Chung Report

Final score:
24points
Add photo comments
POST
hea_c avatar
StrangeOne
StrangeOne
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Some kids commute hours, through rough terrain and many dangers, every day, just to get an education and improve their future prospects. If you live across the street, down the block, a school bus ride away, count yourself lucky you have that good.

Vote comment up
8
8points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#19

Having disposable income.


I wish I had what I blew back then on dumb s**t.

uknowhowchoicesbe Report

Final score:
23points
Add photo comments
POST
hea_c avatar
StrangeOne
StrangeOne
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I feel this SO MUCH. I keep telling myself I'm going to save hard this time. I still don't have a savings.

Vote comment up
4
4points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#20

Time with my grandparents. I was just so f****d up and couldn’t see how much they loved me and WANTED me around and protected me. I wish so badly I could tell them both that they changed my life and thank you for everything and how I miss grandpa playing us trumpet in the morning and at night. I miss the way my grandmas hug felt, and her bad cooking and watching are you being served with them after dinners.

I wish I had understood that time isn’t something you can get back, and when they’re gone there’s just an empty space where they used to sit on the couch.

Please don’t waste your time with people who love you, it sounds obvious but it wasn’t to me.

nigel_bongberry Report

Final score:
21points
Add photo comments
POST
travelingladyrailfan avatar
Traveling Lady Railfan
Traveling Lady Railfan
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you were fortunate enough to have grandparents in your life, especially if they are loving and kind and good people, and close enough that you can visit them, You are very fortunate indeed. Not everybody has that for various reasons. May I suggest, although blood is thicker than water, to get involved with seniors? By that I mean "adopt a grandparent". They're not related, but they can teach you so much about life. I've gained such great experiences from befriending and volunteering with people who are 20 to 60 years older than me. One of my dearest friends turned 100 this year. She's an amazing person and I value every visit

Vote comment up
1
1point
Vote comment down
reply
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#21

My body. Think most women can relate to looking back at pictures and thinking “wow, I was hot!” I just wish I would have flaunted my beauty more or taken advantage of it while I could. Like wearing the daring outfit in my closet that I thought was too sultry to be seen in public with. When you no longer have the option to wear it because it doesn’t fit, you realize you should have taken that chance.

Ok_Energy9693 Report

Final score:
21points
Add photo comments
POST
de-snoekies avatar
Alexandra
Alexandra
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

On the fence about that one. You can regret past decisions, but I think you have to extend yourself some grace: there probably was a good reason why you did what you did back then, only you've forgotten it or the reason plays no longer a role now. You're different now than you were then.

Vote comment up
5
5points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#22

Older Adults Regret Not taking The Time To Enjoy These 30 Things When They Were Young Not appreciating my parents' patience and advice. I thought I knew it all back then.

Adorable_baby_5143 , Elina Fairytale Report

Final score:
20points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
#23

Doing things with my mom while she had the physical energy. So many “we’ll do it next year” moments. And you just keep putting it off… and then your mom is older and living with stage 4 cancer and you realize all those big dreams you put off may never become reality.

SlowerThanTurtleInPB Report

Final score:
19points
Add photo comments
POST
de-snoekies avatar
Alexandra
Alexandra
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I understand what you say, but at the same time you have to realise that life happens while you're making plans. Things will happen and they can be at cross-purposes and that's no one's fault; it just happens and it happens to you. It's frustrating, it's sad and infuriating, but it's not your fault.

Vote comment up
3
3points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#24

Older Adults Regret Not taking The Time To Enjoy These 30 Things When They Were Young Wearing sunscreen.

rabbigouez , Mikhail Nilov Report

Final score:
19points
Add photo comments
POST
evieheaven avatar
Neb
Neb
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well, for one you had to know such product existed.

Vote comment up
3
3points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#25

That fear is easier to overcome than I imagined in many of my situations. It held me back too much, led to anxiety and playing it safe. I let go of fear in the last five years. Doing so I doubled my income, increased satisfaction in life, care less about what others think, and found more rewarding relationships.

Quiet_Post9890 Report

Final score:
18points
Add photo comments
POST
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#26

Summer breaks.

CuddieRyan707 Report

Final score:
18points
Add photo comments
POST
#27

Being like everyone else. As a late kid/early teen I believed myself so special because I had more intellectual maturity than my peers, and because I wasn’t interested in what people my age were interested in. Now I am lying in the bed I made for myself - alone and lonely.
I’d slap my younger self if I could.

aydnic Report

Final score:
18points
Add photo comments
POST
samantha-hinson-sh avatar
Helena
Helena
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was the odd man out when I was a kid/teen. I do not regret this. Not conforming meant I wasn't stuck in the same little town, with a carbon copy life, that befell most of my class mates.

Vote comment up
2
2points
Vote comment down
reply
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#28

My grandmother tried to teach me Polish, but I was not interested. It would have been much easier to learn then…..sigh.

Calm-Ad-4409 Report

Final score:
18points
Add photo comments
POST
bkomonytsky avatar
B Komonytsky
B Komonytsky
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My kids refused and resist learning Ukrainian from me, my native language. "You refuse, you lose;" but you won’t realize your loss until your parents are gone

Vote comment up
10
10points
Vote comment down
reply
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#29

My siblings. We were all surviving and I wish I was able to protect them more and have had the understanding that they were suffering too. We fought over food and lot and I was the stronger one and would take more than I should have. I know that we as children were put into that position by our parents, but I wish I could go back in time and fight harder for them. I was trying to survive myself and I just hate that I wasn’t able to focus on them more than myself.

feisty-and-fit Report

Final score:
17points
Add photo comments
POST
jules_11 avatar
Jules
Jules
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You shouldn't be so hard on yourself - you were a child trying to survive what sounds like a horrible childhood.

Vote comment up
5
5points
Vote comment down
reply
View more commentsArrow down menu
#30

Older Adults Regret Not taking The Time To Enjoy These 30 Things When They Were Young Having perfectly clear skin.

toeskibidi , gryffyn m Report

Final score:
16points
Add photo comments
POST
evieheaven avatar
Neb
Neb
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Perfectly clear maybe when kid only. Not everyone gets the luck of clear skin. Mine probably now is one of clearest, apart childhood.

Vote comment up
2
2points
Vote comment down
reply
View more commentsArrow down menu
Continue reading with Bored Panda Premium
Unlimited content
Ad-free browsing
Dark mode
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#31

Being unaware of my body. As long as I didn't hurt myself, I would not think about it at all.

=> Being leg widely spread at the beach ? No issue, no hairs, or belly fat or stretch marks to worry about. If people look at me it's probably because of my cool sand castle!

=> Climbing a game upside down in a skirt? Who care, not a single though of my underwear being seen.

=> Sleeping in a weird position on 2 giant teddy bears? No pain at all in the morning!

=> Sleeping on my belly? No big boobs in the way!

=> Lying on the floor to play Legos ? Sure! I'll be perfectly fine there, no back pain, no struggle to stand again!

=> Having messy hair out of the pool? Messy what? Let's dive and have fun!

=> Leaving the house ? Good, let's go! No need of deodorant, pads or tampons in the bag just in case or periods and no small pads because of bloody leaks, don't care of sunglasses and no painkiller in case of a migraine, let's go empty hand! Not even a single look in a mirror to see if I have chocolate on the lips, sleeping eyes or bloody hair on my chin (bloody hormones).

IseultDarcy Report

Final score:
12points
Add photo comments
POST
janetbest avatar
3 Otters 🦦
3 Otters 🦦
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ahhh, puberty, then having babies and going through menopause. How it changes the brain and the body….

Vote comment up
0
0points
Vote comment down
reply
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#32

The general relative carefreeness and simplicity of life back then, mainly in high school and earlier. Not that I think anyone wants to go back to high school, but I do miss the days when only getting a detention was the biggest problem you faced.

AsteroidMike Report

Final score:
10points
Add photo comments
POST
#33

Older Adults Regret Not taking The Time To Enjoy These 30 Things When They Were Young The food my family made, I always thought it was boring because we had it almost every single day but now I’m starting to miss it.

Warm_Animal_2043 , Elina Fairytale Report

Final score:
10points
Add photo comments
POST
#34

Older Adults Regret Not taking The Time To Enjoy These 30 Things When They Were Young Having friends.

Bobo_Baggins03x , Thomas Boehi Report

Final score:
10points
Add photo comments
POST
bkomonytsky avatar
B Komonytsky
B Komonytsky
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Most of our friends are likely to outlive our parents. You’ll certainly miss your parents when they're gone, but you’ll miss your friends even more when they pass because they’re the last living connection to your life and your past. When they’re gone, you’ll feel truly alone. Real friends, are life’s real treasures!

Vote comment up
2
2points
Vote comment down
reply
#35

My cousin, who came out as a teen and began transitioning as a young adult. Our family is liberal but was still very judgemental and leveled all the typical attacks against him--it's a phase, he's doing it for our attention, he's mentally ill, etc. None of those things were true and his wellness and success have skyrocketed since he has found self-acceptance, healthy partnerships, and a full, happy life as a trans man.

Even though I didn't participate in those attacks back in the day, my silence makes me sick looking back on it. I wish I'd found the courage to make my support and appreciation for him well-known to him and the rest of our family.

lifeincoffeespoonz Report

Final score:
9points
Add photo comments
POST
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#36

For me, it's the social/interactive aspect of browsing through DVD covers at Blockbuster, which really made the moviegoing experience fun imo before streaming fully took over.

Upbeat_Tension_8077 Report

Final score:
9points
Add photo comments
POST
girl_bug3_14 avatar
Pyxelle
Pyxelle
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I remember renting being an event. We used to rent a VCR for the weekend and like 4 movies and then have a bunch of friends over. It was a party!

Vote comment up
1
1point
Vote comment down
reply
View more commentsArrow down menu
#37

AFTERNOON NAPS!

Brave-Rip-5318 Report

Final score:
9points
Add photo comments
POST
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#38

Trying and failing. I wish I would have done this more.

aimerj Report

Final score:
9points
Add photo comments
POST
#39

Not having a heart condition until I was 18 into my 20’s.
I deeply miss being able to just go and do things without having to worry about whether or not I’ll have an SVT episode - can’t run, can’t jump, can’t do anything that gets my heart really pumping……-.
Keep your health in check and please see your doctor regularly.

iammonos Report

Final score:
7points
Add photo comments
POST
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#40

My ability to run effortlessly for long distance. I am now an old couch potato and I can't run for my life.

Ok-Pomelo-3697 Report

Final score:
7points
Add photo comments
POST
View More Replies... View more commentsArrow down menu
#41

Older Adults Regret Not taking The Time To Enjoy These 30 Things When They Were Young Not going out to party with friends.

ImpostorSyndrome_MD , Rendy Novantino Report

Final score:
7points
Add photo comments
POST
tobb-1 avatar
WindySwede
WindySwede
Community Member
1 month ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

This is not consistent, you men 'going to parties...' ? 🤔😅🙈 otherwise just don't do? 😉

#42

Not having to care about making my own money.

AFeralFry Report

Final score:
7points
Add photo comments
POST
#43

When money wasn’t really about numbers, but more about whether something felt expensive or not. I think when I was younger I didn’t really think about how hard it was to earn or manage.

lasveggies Report

Final score:
6points
Add photo comments
POST
#44

Investing. I had a business class in HS that had a 8 week competition on the stock market where each student got 10k in imaginary money that went off the real stock market. This class was during the bear stearns bankruptcy and a friend of mine suggested I invest in it. Put $3k when it was like 2.50/share and it jumped to $8. Sold a lot of my other shares and used the rest of what I had and bought at $8 and it jumped to $15. Safe to say I won the competition and was 2 dominos pizza richer. Apple, Microsoft and Amazon were trading in the $20 range back then.

Original-Spinach-972 Report

Final score:
6points
Add photo comments
POST
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#45

How hot I actually was.

judgymom Report

Final score:
5points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
#46

Boredom. I used to fear it, now I mourn it.

SpyralHam Report

Final score:
5points
Add photo comments
POST
chrisdomres avatar
keyboardtek
keyboardtek
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Boredom is either a stimulus to get off one's buttt to do something new, or it is a mind killer.

Vote comment up
1
1point
Vote comment down
reply

Anyone can write on Bored Panda. Start writing!

Follow Bored Panda on Google News!