“You live and you learn” is arguably the most common expression to justify mistakes. Yet, mistakes, regret, and life lessons are co-dependent. Consider it one of the life lessons learned the hard way, but the most genuine route to wisdom is making mistakes, also known as the trial and error method. Thus, feeling regret for things done wrong or not done at all is often the outcome. Yet, sometimes it’s possible to forestall a few things we’d regret later by simply listening and hearing one another.
It’s said that when people are offering you good life advice, it’s really just them talking to their past self. Any good advice often comes from personal experiences and hard lessons learned from it. A recent thread on AskReddit revealed the many important life lessons individuals often learn the hard way. User Professional_Lab7394 asked, “What should one do in their 20s to avoid regrets in their 30s and 40s?” In this honest thread with over 6k comments, the r/askreddit community shared the biggest regrets in life that could have been prevented.
Below, we’ve gathered some of the best answers from the thread, sharing some of life’s biggest regrets and the lessons that came with them. Do you agree with any of them? Let us know by giving it an upvote. Also, what’s your take on the above question? Could some of your biggest regrets have been avoided if you’d done something differently earlier in life? Share your opinion in the comments.
#1
“If you plan to share a bank account with anyone, make sure to have another account just for you. And you only.”
Image source: maggsinmay
#2
“Exercise. Staying in shape is easier than getting in shape.”
Image source: UltraRomero7
#3
“Take care of your teeth.”
Image source: theyusedthelamppost
#4
“If you have pets, play with them all the time… interact, take the dog for a walk, even when you don’t feel like it. Take lots of pictures and videos, save them, and back them up.”
Image source: dawnhu
#5
“Take the time to rehab injuries properly.”
Image source: OGrouchNZ
#6
“Don’t wrap up all your hopes in dreams in one person.”
Image source: Hardc0reWillNeverDie
#7
“Take care of your knees, and your back.”
Image source: DrunkTankGunner
#8
“Don’t measure your success by the size of your bank account.”
Image source: reddit.com
#9
“Stop smoking.”
Image source: Alienmetal
#10
“Stop eating garbage.”
Image source: dwane1972
#11
“Get your diet under control, health is wealth.”
Image source: nouseforaspacebar
#12
“Do not overspend and avoid credit card debt.”
Image source: haditwithyoupeople
#13
“Learn to cook and bake if you aren’t already.”
Image source: -Astin-
#14
“Enjoy the good times – learn from the bad times.”
Image source: reddit.com
#15
“Wear sunscreen.”
Image source: Rolsan
#16
“Learn how to lift heavy objects without damaging your back. 42-year-old me has a thing or two to tell 20-year-old me about this.”
Image source: Nossirom
#17
“Learn to love yourself and not worry about the opinions of others. Remember that you are stuck with yourself for the rest of your life.”
Image source: Lexiluv2
#18
“Read, read, and read, it’s one of the best things you can do.”
Image source: DTSwim22
#19
“Control your anger.”
Image source: Quirkella
#20
“Protect your vision and hair as much as possible.”
Image source: dawnhu
#21
“Asking for advice is huge and I applaud you for it.”
Image source: haditwithyoupeople
#22
“Build a really good personal care routine.”
Image source: notorious_tcb
#23
“Listen to the older folks that have been there done that it’s very easy to dismiss them or block out their advice in your 20s.”
Image source: dawnhu
#24
“Don’t drink and drive.”
Image source: testing81789
#25
“Buy the best shoes and the best mattress you can afford.”
Image source: reddit.com
#26
“Learn to be happy and positive.”
Image source: reddit.com
#27
“Don’t live on credit, do not destroy your credit.”
Image source: Scandalous2ndWaffle
#28
“There is good advice here so I won’t repeat it. Have two hobbies. One that is of interest to you and you are happy doing alone. The other one tries to have it be with other people. Preferably one of them has you getting outdoors often. They can be the same example: fixing bikes and going on rides with friends. Photography and bird watching. Practicing an instrument and being in a band.”
Image source: steerbell
#29
“Take risks. Chase the boy/girl/etc. Jump for the job. Don’t be afraid to bounce to a different state/country if the opportunity feels good.”
Image source: shotsallover
#30
“Don’t start smoking.”
Image source: absurd_logic589
#31
“Drink half as much as you’re currently drinking.”
Image source: gomezthekiller
#32
“Work through childhood trauma.”
Image source: UnusualAttitude442
#33
“Say yes to going to dinners, parties, birthdays, etc. even if you have work the next day or don’t feel like it. Most people lose 90% of their friends in their 20’s.”
Image source: Independent-Ad3901
#34
“Eliminate toxic “friends”, relatives and relationships. It is better to be single than be tortured.”
Image source: reddit.com
#35
“Have a few close friends but keep making new ones. I’m all for making your own way, but you’d be shocked to know how many people got to where they are because they knew someone who knew someone. It can only help you and maybe you can pay it forward down the line.”
Image source: Ok_Island254
#36
“Travel – go for a long time and work while you’re there if you can.”
Image source: fuzzyhairedlegend
#37
“Move towards healthier eating habits.”
Image source: -Astin-
#38
“Learn to stop measuring the success of your life based on what you’ve done by a certain age. 30 or 40 are just numbers.”
Image source: skepters
#39
“Understand the world. You’ll hear a lot of stuff about news outlets being indoctrinating. To curb that read history, it’ll give you the context to pull information out of what news is saying.”
Image source: GhostRTV
#40
“Be brave. It’s scary as heck to try new things.”
Image source: exul_noctis
#41
“Spend time with relatives that probably won’t be there in your 40s.”
Image source: No-Art-9033
#42
“Wear ear protection at concerts and when using most power tools. Hearing loss and tinnitus are real.”
Image source: theverdictreddit
#43
“Build a skill.”
Image source: ZAMBOOXAL
#44
“Try new foods.”
Image source: shotsallover
#45
“Do not try crack!”
Image source: Studio54Forever
#46
“If there’s something you can study to advance your career, study it.”
Image source: -Astin-
#47
“Develop a sellable skill that will come in handy in your professional life.”
Image source: pakiizah
#48
“Use effective birth control.”
Image source: Angry3042
#49
“Stop slouching and sit up straight for the sake of your body. It’s hard to undo the damage bad posture creates.”
Image source: SproutSpoon
#50
“Type 2 diabetes is not fun and completely avoidable!!”
Image source: Esposabella
#51
“If you’re in a relationship that is making you feel bad more often than good – end it sooner rather than later.”
Image source: Neckfeared42069
#52
“You can either do yoga for free at home in your 20s or in a physiotherapist’s office for $60/hour in your 40s.”
Image source: 314159265358979326
#53
“Invest in yourself.”
Image source: reddit.com
#54
“Embrace your sexuality.”
Image source: Arewesortingitout
#55
“Keep making friends.”
Image source: -Astin-
#56
“Don’t marry the wrong person.”
Image source: Primary-Lion-6088
#57
“Seize opportunities as they come. We often regret the things we don’t do, more than the things we do.”
Image source: pakiizah
#58
“Go to the dentist every 6 months.”
Image source: BandicootPlastic5444
#59
“Get enough sleep.”
Image source: OGrouchNZ
#60
“Make some mistakes, you’ll never be in a better position to recover from them, and they will teach you valuable things about yourself and the world.”
Image source: briareus08
#61
“Start therapy sooner. Therapy is about maintenance, like an oil change. Don’t wait for your lowest breaking point to seek it out.”
Image source: pakiizah
#62
“If you go to college, work while you go to school. Yes, this is less fun. Also, paid internships can pay well and get you job offers. I work in tech and hire interns all the time. They have fun, learn a lot, and make ~$30 per hour. About 1/2 of them get job offers. Full-time students generally work 20 hours during the school year and 40 hours in the summer or if doing a part-time semester. It’s a great way to pay for school. If you do it right you can get 3 years of internships out of college.”
Image source: haditwithyoupeople
#63
“If you don’t like your job, get another one. If you don’t have any good job opportunities, you need to work on that.”
Image source: haditwithyoupeople
#64
“Decide where you want to be in 10 years. Once that’s done come up with a plan to get there, and act on it.”
Image source: haditwithyoupeople
#65
“Don’t co-sign anything for anybody.”
Image source: GilbertLebeauDubois
#66
“Don’t buy alcohol, ever. You will save tons.”
Image source: oddoboy
#67
“Don’t get married in your 20’s. You shouldn’t make a lifelong commitment until you’re more mature.”
Image source: Sufficient_Pipe_1372
#68
“Mental health. Please cater to it. Take care of yourselves mentally and you’ll do great in your 30s.”
Image source: Messier_63
#69
“Buy your favorite albums. They are going to cost 10x more when you are 40.”
Image source: BrandonC41
#70
“Get the HPV vaccine so you don’t get throat cancer when you’re in your 40s.”
Image source: stkildaslut
#71
“Finish college.”
Image source: PlentyToLearn
#72
“Learn good financial planning, start setting yourself up for retirement.”
Image source: PlentyToLearn
#73
“Invest in 401k at least w/e your company matches.”
Image source: Lingaojing
#74
“Start thinking about how you want to make a social impact on the world. Make a commitment to yourself to be kind and compassionate, especially to those less fortunate than you.”
Image source: pakiizah
#75
“Generally develop healthy habits.”
Image source: -Astin-
#76
“More so for women: consider if you want to have kids. I know many women in their mid-30s who never really thought about it and are taken aback when their gynecologist comments about their remaining fertile years. Freeze your eggs if you have that luxury and no partner.”
Image source: Adventurous-Canary78
#77
“Find a way to go to college or finish college inexpensively. Most community colleges are close to free. Most state universities are less expensive than others. In my city, a new HS grad can get a four-year degree with a maximum of $18K in tuition – two years of free community college and 2 years of university at $9K per year. Nobody needs $50-$100k in loans to get an ungraduated degree.”
Image source: haditwithyoupeople
#78
“Learn a trade.”
Image source: UnusualAttitude442
#79
“Save twice as much as you’re currently saving.”
Image source: gomezthekiller
#80
“Educate yourself in a valuable field and start working on experience in said field.”
Image source: bimbammla
#81
“Don’t do something stupid & hurt your back.”
Image source: mroinks
#82
“Don’t buy anything you can’t pay for in full (except maybe a house).”
Image source: DrunkTankGunner
#83
“I’d advise against settling down too quickly.”
Image source: Affectionate-Dream21
#84
“Be careful about screen time. Staring at smartphones destroyed my eyesight.”
Image source: SproutSpoon
#85
“Save some money.”
Image source: shotsallover
#86
“Follow your dreams. They don’t go away, you won’t grow out of them. You’ll be better for it and have more confidence in yourself knowing that whatever happens you tried and gave it your all.”
Image source: Ellyane
#87
“Invest in a skincare routine. Vitamin C and SPF every single day no matter the weather. Retinol 4-5 days a week.”
Image source: pakiizah
#88
“Buy real estate.”
Image source: UnusualAttitude442
#89
“Jump jobs to find one that suits you. I have a very diverse resume due to it and can get a job in dozens of fields.”
Image source: mintywitchy
#90
“Become financially independent.”
Image source: pakiizah
#91
“If you have wisdom teeth in, consider getting them out ASAP.”
Image source: iheartmyfamily1722
#92
“Get laid. Get good at it. This may actually involve communication with partners.”
Image source: -Astin-
#93
“Do not take a car loan. Just don’t. If all you have is $1000, drive a $1000 car until you can afford a better one.”
Image source: haditwithyoupeople
#94
“Save a small amount of money for when it goes up divorce, job loss.”
Image source: pj210
Follow Us
