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Everybody makes mistakes, and it’s unreasonable to expect anyone to be perfect. Human error is natural; we just have to do our best to learn from our mistakes and try to avoid making any that will have irreversible consequences. Unfortunately, however, many of us have made a decision or two that we greatly regret and would take back in a heartbeat if we could.
Reddit users have recently been opening up about the worst mistakes they’ve ever made, so we’ve gathered some of their most heartbreaking stories below. From getting terrible injuries to severing important relationships, these recollections might not be easy to read, but they’re important reminders to think before we speak and act.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Lighting that first cigarette.
Satan Laughs 6 months ago
Absolutely needs to be higher… so hard to even start to think about a plan to quit.
RELATED:
#3
Not watching a movie with my dad before he died from cancer.
My dad was months into his chemo treatments at this point, and he just asked me one day if I wanted to watch some old movies with him for a bit. I declined and said I needed to work on school stuff. I was living at home at the time, and I was taking about 15 hours of classes, so I was generally busy, but not then. It tore me apart to see my dad that way. The d***s had been rough on him, and it pained me to see him like that. My dad passed maybe a month or two later, and it is still to this day my biggest regret. We both loved movies, and I would give anything to go back and watch anything with him. I still randomly have moments of despair thinking about it, and I know he would not want me to continue beating myself up, but it's hard.
Don't have regrets like me. Spend those precious moments with your loved ones.
karen snyder 6 months ago
This is the validation I need right now. At this moment, I am getting ready to sleep on the couch perpendicular to my sleeping mother who is recovering from one of a series of serious surgeries that will hopefully give me another year with her. We have watched a dozen movies this week; movies that we enjoyed together over my life. I had to quit my job and leave my city life to be here and take care of her 24/7. Thank you for reminding me how much this matters.
#4
I didn’t ask my parents enough questions about their lives before they died.
When people die, their history dies with them. Stories about them, what their lives were like, what their parents were like. It all disappears.
Ask your parents and grandparents all the things, you won’t regret it.
#5
I jumped in the shallow side of the pool. Was drinking and thought it was the deep end. Tried to do a front flip and smacked my head on the bottom. Came up reaching for my head and my face flopped into my hand. I quickly held it in place against my skull and got out of the pool. We wrapped my head in a towel and I threw up. The ambulance was there within 10 minutes. They sent 2 ambulances and a fire truck and there were 10+ responders. I think they might have been bored and wanted to see the carnage lol. Anyways at the hospital my neck started hurting and they did a scan X-ray and nothing was broken, however my face was spilt from the bridge of my nose straight up my forehead then goes to the left a couple inches. Ended up getting 20 stitches to hold my forehead together and 20 staples on my head. Healed pretty good. Now I just have a scar people are scared to ask me about. I'm extremely lucky, I was able to walk out and go home about four of five hours later. I've heard so many stories since this happened to me and now I am extra cautious around pools. So yeah don't dive drunk.
Avoidance_Panda 6 months ago
If someone just asks in passing, I hope you've got a mysterious back story, or wildly outrageous story to tell ...
#6
Talking to police without a lawyer. Don’t do that, kids….
Donna Peluda 6 months ago
I had a public defender in a case of police abuse. Little did I know he got a lot of work from the local police and screwed me over big time. Eventually I hired a good lawyer and he screwed the police. Upside was I got the chance to kick the xith out of a corrupt cop and get away with it. He as later expelled from the force. He was so corrupt that his colleagues declared against him regarding what happened that night.
#7
I worked at a Marine Mammal Rescue Center in Alaska.
It could be really fun and rewarding, but the work itself was *anything* but glamarous.
During the training, we were told emphatically "when approaching a rehabbing sea lion from the front, you have to hold your breath until you can get to the side - their breath will knock you out." We laughed but the teacher said "oh I'm not kidding"
Should have taken it more seriously...
My first week there, I approach a sea lion we're rehabbing and when I'm about 5 feet away, it opened its mouth wider than my head and let out a 4-second-long belch, as sea lions are known to do.
I immediately fell to the ground puking. Couldn't think straight for 2 minutes and felt nauseous most of the rest of the day, and had to go home early.
**Still** feel sick thinking of it.
#9
I worked in child care and suspected abuse. I went to the director of the childcare center and asked if I should call CPS, and she said no. I didn’t call CPS.
The little girl died about a month later. She was 2.5.
I will never forgive myself for trusting someone else over my own gut judgement. Worst mistake I ever made.
#10
When I was a kid we used to ride our bikes to the top of a hill and peddle as fast as we could down to the beginning of a sidewalk that was pushed up by tree roots and we would hit super sick jumps off them. No helmet. My bikes front wheel and handle bars became loose from the abuse and when I landed my handles were straight but the wheel sent me right into a tree. Went over the handle bars head first and hit the tree. Knocked out cold. From what people tell me my personality changed as did my penmanship, grades and everything.
Kari Panda 6 months ago
That’s why I hate the "We never wore helmets as kids an we‘re fine!“ people. There are more than enough cases where people are, in fact, not fine.
#11
Took an antibiotic for a possible infection I never had to begin with that the doctor gave me. Didn’t realize the medication was banned in certain countries and has a black box warning. Doc called a week later after I had taken it for 6 days and says I actually didn’t have an infection. Antibiotics were never necessary. I now am disabled and have full body small fiber neuropathy from it among other things at 25 years old. It affects my vision, bladder, muscles, walking, etc. nerve damage all over. Had this for 2 years now, life is a struggle unfortunately.
#12
Got stuck on my balcony before work one morning. Door latched as I shut it. Was approximately 6 feet off ground, so I decided to jump off. Landed on my feet. Grass was wet, feet slipped...
Fractured three vertebrae, spent nine months in a hospital bed.
Kari Panda 6 months ago
Jumping off things is truly more dangerous than one might think. I once jumped off a tree trunk - maybe two feet off ground? It was fall and the ground was covered in leaves. There was a small hole, barely bigger than a foot, in the ground right where I jumped. Foot ligaments destroyed, hospital, surgery…
#13
Giving all my best in my last company, had almost no much social life, I was a workaholic , I was like the best developer, thinking it would all result to sth eventually got laid off 😅💀.
#14
Got offered an internal promotion for double salary job as a javascript developer (I was PHP mainly at time) at UK FTSE 100 company and declined because I was humble about my skills/didn't want to cause issues.
Now I'm 8 years wiser and realise no one knows what they're doing and I would've been fine with 20 hours on udemy.
#15
I skipped a class for organic chemistry in college before finals. Didn't get the memo that final exams would be given in a different room. Showed up 45 minutes late and my professor wouldn't let me in. I failed the class and nearly failed out of college that semester, I was on academic probation after that.
#16
I made many mistakes growing up, but here’s one that stands out the most.
In early high school, I hurt people emotionally through targeted bullying and social exclusion. I was picked on for many years prior to this, so it was mostly redirected anger. I hated the world and most of the people around me.
However, this changed during the later years of high school and I started accepting people and vice versa. I’m not sure how this came about. I’m in my thirties now and a completely different person. I get emotional thinking of all the times I’ve made people’s lives hell for no reason, and it’s hard to forgive myself for it.
If you are going or went through a tough time in school as a result of bullying, I’d like to apologise on behalf of the bullies. Most of them will certainly regret it at some point.
Kari Panda 6 months ago
That depends on the person. I met one of my bullies years later and he regretted nothing.
#17
Talked a little about this in other posts, but my decision to stay and try to help my mom. After my grandmother died my cousin and I were set to inherit a house, but we gave our halves to her. At the time I was living in Europe, in Budapest, for 3.5 years. I was so close to residency. Then I saw she was having trouble financially when I came to visit for a family reunion. I had a return ticket, my jobs, but I f*****g stayed because I felt bad. We set agreements, that I would pay half of everything and then later give her a bit extra so I can save to help my fiance come here. That in order for this to work, I'd like to live in the house so I'm not paying rent somewhere plus half of the bills (and I wanted to be around the dogs, which I also take care of). Then she took advantage of this by buying more things and investing in the house, which she agreed to sell because she can't afford it without someone helping her. Immediately after I didn't have a way back, things changed. She hated my now ex partner and would demand time and time again we break up, even though she was nothing but kind to her. She decided she wanted more money immediately. She has threatened to [unalive] herself by putting a gun to her head, pushed me, hit me, tried to choke me, because she would start conflicts and not let me walk away, or didn't like what I had to say. She's tried to cut me off from other parts of the family that know and want to help me. I lost everything because of this decision, but I'm slowly rebuilding, and I think next year I'll be able to find my way back, maybe to Prague this time, or back to Budapest. I don't know, I just want the life I had back, and this time she won't get to be a part of it.
Magenta Blu 6 months ago
I trusted my mother too. I foolishly gave her a second chance (which is my biggest regret) and she destroyed my life, my career, my health and my family and I'm still paying her debts a decade after. The worst of all? I didn't even want to give her any chance, but everyone make me feel guilty because everyone loves their mothers right? And I was pregnant, so I let them convince me to start maternity with the right foot and stablish a better relationship with my own mother. Huge mistake. Damn
#18
Quitting college to take a management promotion at my fast food job.
Kirk Littlefield 6 months ago
I did this with the opposite result. I hated college and my chosen field is obsolete now. I quit, became a chef by working my way up from a part time dishwasher and now have a well paying career that I absolutely love.
#19
Driving drunk... Blacked out... Car totalled by train.
Don't drink and drive.
#20
Bring on a sleazy business partner whose shenanigans put me under.
Even twenty-five years later, if he stepped in front of my car, I wouldn't even think of tapping the brakes.
#21
I let go someone who was really good for me because of chronic depression and insecurities and now here I am, alone because of it.
Chaotictomybone 6 months ago
I can relate to this. Even after 5 years I still think about that person, he is getting married this year so yay me...
#23
Not going to the doctor when I should have. I noticed that I was having issues standing up. I thought that now that I'm in my 30s. This is normal. Months go by and not only was I having trouble trying to stand up. My left hip and leg was hurting like hell with every step.
I decided to keep working because I lived alone at the time and I had to make bills. After 8 months of suffering and pain. Climbing on and off a forklift. I had enough. Every step I was fighting a tear from shedding.
After a month of x-rays and MRIs the doctor's found it. A tumor had made itself a unwanted guest on my spine and it was pinching a cluster of nerves. This was in 2021 and covid was in full swing. When the doctor told me they had to do emergency surgery. Part of me was to scared to say yes. The other part of me was ready to get this over with and not be in pain anymore. I'm grateful that half won.
They got the tumor out. It was benign. So I didn't have to worry about cancer. They also told me that if I waited any longer. I would have been paralyzed from the wast down on my left side.
I'm dyslexic and have a hard time reading. So I never went to school after high-school. All I've ever known was working physical labor jobs. I love working with my hands. Now I have to stand and sit at random times. I have can't walk to far without a walking stick. Even with that. I'm limited on how far I can walk. Sitting in a vehicle, and getting in and out of them is painful.
The only thing that make me happy is my motorcycle. The seat was custom made for my nerve pain. So it doesn't hurt to sit in it. But as of now. I have no sorce of income. My insurance on my bike has lapsed. Now all I have is VRChat. I am a extroverted person. So sitting at home all day is driving me mad. I take medication for the pain. But it doesn't get rid of it completely. It just dulls it some.
Because I didn't go to the doctor when I needed to I'm now jobless. I lost the home I was renting. I have no sorce of income. I can't ride my bike. I can't do office work because of my dyslexia (I have tried just to try and make some money). I'm trying to get on disability. But the government is dragging there feet on it. Even with a layer. I'm useless. I'm jobless. No women will talk to me.
My life is a lonely hell just because I didn't go to the doctor when my body told me to.
Magenta Blu 6 months ago
I just can't afford dental care. I'm sure i will loose my teeth soon, but right now it is surviving or dental care.. so toothless people still survive, right?
#24
Insisted my fiancé and I should take a cruise together when she wanted to stay home. She had a polyp which was bothering her nasal passage.
Turns out it wasn't a polyp, but rhabdomyosarcoma. Diagnosis was further delayed due to COVID, costing her her life.
BenyA. 6 months ago
you can't blame yourself for that man. You obviously wanted to give her a good vacation, and you didn't knowingly ignore then unknown complications. When my dad was sick I switched places with my uncle to check in on him one particular day, and when my uncle was getting back home after he slipped and hit his head, ended up passing that very night from head injury. If I had simply shown up instead of him, he still might have been ok. Took me a while to let that go. Don't do that to yourself
#25
Getting breast implants. 6k, scars, scar tissue, permanently damaged nerves. Got them removed 3 years later. 2k saggy boobs. Pepperoni nipples and side boob fat.
I had decent boobs I just got peer pressured by friends who were getting their done.
#26
Dorky guy in our graphics lab at school was trying to convince us to buy Apple stock as we struggled with our POS PowerPC 6300s. "No man, they're rehiring the CEO they fired! He started the company, he's like...visionary! He's gonna resurrect them!". Riiiiiight.
Avoidance_Panda 6 months ago
That's like me and Nvidia, we were all blown away with the unreal engine and what Nvidia could possibly do. Then even when crypto became a thing and we were using graphic cards to mine it STILL didn't occur to me....
#27
I inherited 150,000$ at 18 and blew it all on d***s and stupid things.
#28
Trying to be someone I'm not to impress people. Turns out, being yourself is way cooler.
Remi (He/Him) 6 months ago
I thought I needed to be normal to get friends when I was a kid/teen too. I was even told I would be more liked if I wasn't so... me. Trying to act all the time is exhausting and people will actually like you more if you don't appear fake, turns out
#29
Listened to a teacher that said I wasn’t smart enough for Uni. Been questioning and doubting myself ever since.
DragonsFox 6 months ago
Teacher here. Don’t listen. You are one thousand percent smart enough. It might be harder for you than others, but professors love to help their students!
#30
I once tried to microwave an entire frozen pizza and ended up with a fiery frisbee of regret.
#31
Tried to raise a child while having a severe untreated mental illness for 12 years.
#32
Leaving the Coast Guard after four years. I'd be retired with a full pension and still have been able to have another career.
#33
Not spending more time with my grandparents.
#34
Petsitting for a pet fox.
I pet-sit for a living and came across an opportunity to get 10x the money one weekend by petsitting for a pet fox while the owners were on vacation.
It *was* super cute, but now it's a year later, and my car **still** smells like fox.
No idea how that's even possible, the fox was never in the car.
Can't take friends on rides anymore :(.
#35
Sold 83 bitcoins in 2013......
What do you think ?
Justin Tyme 6 months ago
Biggest Life Mistakes: One time I believed an AITA story on Bored Panda.
Jess Smith 6 months ago
Biggest Life Mistakes: I believed that all the stuff BP censors should be censored and isn't them being ridiculous. Not for long.
Load More Replies...
Jose Ortiz 6 months ago
In 2008 i have a very secure career with a wireless company. I started right after h.s in 2001. In 2006 i started hanging with my co employees and developed a d**g habit. The company was such a great company that they offered me rehab at no cost and me believing i wasn't a addict i refused. 2 weeks later i was let go. Till this day i regret not taking that step because after words i fell in deeper depression. Fast forward to today.. ive been 4 years clean and at 41 years old im starting over in life. Im embarrassed at my age that i to restart but i am glad to be alive and im going to do the best i can to make the second half of my life as good as i can to make up for the lost years
Fussy1 6 months ago
Addiction is a disease. Overcoming any form of disease is an accomplishment of strength and courage. There is no embarrassment in starting over my friend. Enjoy, flourish, prosper, be happy, but most of all be true to yourself! Congrats to your New Beginning!!
Load More Replies...
KimB 6 months ago
My biggest regret was turning down a premed scholarship. I would have been an awesome doctor. I love my career in medicine and I don't regret working but I could have really made a difference in patients lives more so than I have I think. Man if I had a Time Machine lol
KimB 6 months ago
I turned it down out of fear...I was afraid to be the one to tell someone their loved one passed away
Load More Replies... Justin Tyme 6 months ago
Biggest Life Mistakes: One time I believed an AITA story on Bored Panda.
Jess Smith 6 months ago
Biggest Life Mistakes: I believed that all the stuff BP censors should be censored and isn't them being ridiculous. Not for long.
Load More Replies... Jose Ortiz 6 months ago
In 2008 i have a very secure career with a wireless company. I started right after h.s in 2001. In 2006 i started hanging with my co employees and developed a d**g habit. The company was such a great company that they offered me rehab at no cost and me believing i wasn't a addict i refused. 2 weeks later i was let go. Till this day i regret not taking that step because after words i fell in deeper depression. Fast forward to today.. ive been 4 years clean and at 41 years old im starting over in life. Im embarrassed at my age that i to restart but i am glad to be alive and im going to do the best i can to make the second half of my life as good as i can to make up for the lost years
Fussy1 6 months ago
Addiction is a disease. Overcoming any form of disease is an accomplishment of strength and courage. There is no embarrassment in starting over my friend. Enjoy, flourish, prosper, be happy, but most of all be true to yourself! Congrats to your New Beginning!!
Load More Replies... KimB 6 months ago
My biggest regret was turning down a premed scholarship. I would have been an awesome doctor. I love my career in medicine and I don't regret working but I could have really made a difference in patients lives more so than I have I think. Man if I had a Time Machine lol
KimB 6 months ago
I turned it down out of fear...I was afraid to be the one to tell someone their loved one passed away
Load More Replies... You May Like “Stood In The Wrong Place”: 30 Ways People Wrecked Their Lives With Just One Awful Choice People Look Back On Their 45 Biggest Regrets From Their 20s
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