There is no single guide to life. We all have different experiences and problems to face, so advice rarely, if ever, applies to everyone.
However, crowdsourcing people’s common regrets in life can provide insight into unseen pitfalls we may all wish to avoid — as a recent Reddit thread has attempted to do.
Indy100 have compiled a list of what they think are the best responses to the question: “What should a person do in their 20s to avoid regrets in their 30s and 40s?”
They are mostly things you may let drift or not think about — they may be contradictory and they may not apply to you or even be possible. They’re simply what people agreed with most.
Exercise
Your body is the one thing you live with your whole life. Look after it, decades of bad eating and no exercise stack up and it only gets harder to get in shape.
Learn not to worry about little things
That energy you’re wasting over an issue — do you really care enough? Life is surprisingly short, prioritise.
Call your grandparents
Unless you’re very fortunate, you lose more people the older you get. They’d probably like to hear from you once in a while — give them a call.
Quit Smoking
Cancer isn’t fun and you don’t need to give it any more chances.
Don't have kids until you can support them
Wear condoms, use birth control, have a child when you plan to — children are expensive and you are responsible for them for two decades.
Realise that your 30s is too young to regret things
If you want to make changes to the direction of your life, you can.
Fail at something
Embrace failure. It’s your friend. It’s telling you that you have the potential to improve at something — and you should. Don’t sit around afraid to pick up the thing that may be your calling.
Pursue the people you like
Not in a Ramsay Bolton way. In a let’s go have coffee way. If you want to be friends or more with someone, it won’t happen without you making the effort. Worst that can happen is they say no.
Look after your teeth, skin and hair
Two minutes a day for a nice smile is a good trade off — your teeth are with you your whole life. Wear sunscreen and sleep well, take breaks and rest when you need it.
Life is not lived on the Internet
No need to explain this one. Go out, there’s a world outside social media
Save and invest
Putting money away for old age — or even a safety buffer — is never a bad thing. Compound interest is also a powerful thing and it gets better the younger you start.
Realise that you will have regrets regardless —and that’s ok
The comment by Reddit user “onchroe” probably provided the best answer to this thread: “If you didn’t travel in your twenties, you’ll regret that. If you didn’t focus on building a career in your twenties, you’ll regret that. If you did too many drugs and drank too much you’ll regret not having been more serious. If you didn’t do anything crazy you’ll regret, not having been more spontaneous. You’re always going to wonder what if. Learn to enjoy the present moment for what it is.”
Source: www.indy100.independent.co.uk
