30 Things You Will Regret When You Get Old (Unless You Act Now)

Have you ever had a moment of clarity where you know that you will regret it for the rest of your life if you do (or don’t do) something?

Yes, we are more alike than we imagine, and the one thing that connects us all is our end of life fear of having things we will regret.

So one day, maybe around New Year or just around your birthday, you wake up and spend a few long minutes pondering over the idea of making sure you regret as little as possible.

You end up with almost nothing, so you ask the mighty Google for help. And now you’ve landed on my blog searching for all of the things you should do/create/build/places to visit/people to meet so you never regret anything.

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The truth about regrets!

My dear, regrets are part of life, and nothing can spare you from them. Whether you do or don’t do that thing you’ve been thinking of… Whether you meet someone or not… Whether you take action or stay still… Whatever you decide to do, you will encounter regret to some extent.

There isn’t one recipe for life, and this isn’t a holiday, but a school. And when in school, you learn, evolve, make mistakes, and have disappointments.

Regrets are just that rather sad realization that one option was better than the other, but it comes in a moment when there is nothing you could do.

So live in peace with yourself and know that acceptance and self-forgiveness are the true gems you are looking after.

Now, let’s introduce you to 30 things you might have regrets about when you get older.

1. Being influenced by other people’s opinions 

When you let other people dictate the path you take in life, you can only end up feeling miserable and disappointed. The one mindset you want to work with right now is that other people see your life through their eyes and analyze it based on their own life experience. Try to hear the beat of your own drum and go by it – satisfaction is guaranteed. 

2. Playing it safe

Staying inside your comfort zone will only trample your personal growth. You don’t have to actively search for challenges to test yourself – instead, try to expand your horizons when given the opportunity. 

Here are 30 ways you could actually go out of your comfort zone and get familiar with being uncomfortable (in a good way).

3. Neglecting your physical and mental wellbeing

There will come a day when you wish you had taken better care of your body and mind, but it will be too late. Why not start paying yourself the attention you deserve asap, so you can have your future self thank you for your efforts?

What is it that popped in your head right now? Do you need to practice more self-care? Should you eat healthier? what about including more exercises in your daily routine? Do you journal? Why not? Do you take time to appreciate yourself and your efforts to be your best self?

4. Not challenging yourself

How can you know where your boundaries lie and what you’re truly capable of if you never put your skills to the test? Challenging yourself can lead to a much better understanding of your inner world, which can only be helpful at old age. 

And by challenging yourself, I don’t mean you should do something grand and risky. Waking up earlier than you do right now for a month is challenging enough. Giving up sugar or your fourth cup of coffee for the day is challenging too. Challenge yourself more and more. See 50 ideas that will come in handy if you’re willing to work on this.

5. Failing to prioritize the right things

Putting your priorities on the wrong things can result in many disappointments and regrets in the future. Sit down and reevaluate what’s truly important to you – once these years start rolling, there is no turning back. This is what we call getting your life together, right?

6. Not traveling as much as possible 

Your youth is the time of your life when you have a lot of freedom to explore the world. Sure, you might not have the funds needed to make a round-the-world trip, but you can still travel a lot if you take the time to do so. 

I know that the last few years have been … well, unpredictable, but traveling doesn’t have to be either expensive or far. Getting to know your own area or country is good enough to start.

7. Ignoring SPF 

Not putting sunscreen on might seem like a small issue when you are young, but when old age sneaks up on you around the corner, you will start to notice the consequences of your actions.

So, avoid being needlessly wrinkly and catching a dangerous skin disease, and put on SPF whenever you go out. 

8. Tolerating toxic relationships

It might seem that things will get better at some point, but that is usually just wishful thinking. Do you really want to spend your best years tolerating people who treat you badly instead of pursuing real, meaningful connections?

Toxic people create toxic emotions inside you. By tolerating someone’s negative influence, you create more work for yourself later on. You can cut the source and save yourself the struggles.

9. Staying in an unsatisfying job 

It’s one thing to be persistent and endure rough patches and a whole different thing to stay in a job that makes you feel permanently down. If you feel like it’s time to leave – do it. It’s never too late to start again. 

We spend so much time at work. In fact, most of your awake time is spent at your workplace. You want to have a satisfying job or at least doesn’t damage your mental (and physical) health. Any job can pay the bills; choose the one you are willing to do without going into a mental breakdown every Monday morning.

10. Having a low self-esteem 

This one is easier said than done, but if you spend your life hating yourself or cutting yourself short, this will likely become one of your biggest life regrets. Try to accept yourself for who you are and admit that you have some wonderful qualities that others appreciate. 

11. Not believing in your dreams

Even if you dream of something as grand as flying to the moon or as simple as living in a white picket fence house, you shouldn’t shut your dreams down for being too naive or impossible. Believing in your dreams is directly connected to your self-esteem, so if you really want to achieve something, give it your best shot. 

I must also add that this one here might be one of your biggest regrets when you are old. In your latest years, you will realize that what truly mattered were the moments that made you smile, proud of yourself, when you made your dreams come true.

12. Holding grudges

Even if someone hurts you incredibly badly, holding a grudge will only make you feel bad in the long run. I know that some wrongs are very difficult to be righted, but you should at least try your best to let them go for the sake of your own wellbeing. 

Forgiving doesn’t mean you forget, and it doesn’t make you soft. In fact, it gives you strength and brings the power back into your hands.

13. Not spending enough time with your family 

When we are young, we tend to assume that the people we care about the most will always be around in our life. However, this is hardly the case – this is why we need to take the time and pay attention to those people, so we don’t regret it later on. 

The people in your life are the ones who see you through different eyes than the rest of the world. To the world, you might be just another breathing being, but to those people, you are family, a friend, a parent, support, shoulder to rely on, and more. And they play similar roles to you as well. Spend time with them. Love them. Allow them to love you back.

14. Prioritizing work above all else 

Sure, work is important – but is it the most important aspect of our lives? If you prioritize it above all else, you might end up realizing that you missed out on some essential life experiences that are restricted mainly to your youth. 

15. Not stopping to appreciate where you are right now

We can get so wrapped up in the daily grind that most of us hardly remember to take the time to stop and smell the flowers. Yes, there is still a lot to be done but take a moment to appreciate where you are now.

This is where the power of gratitude enters the building. Take a few minutes every day to outline a few things you are grateful for. It could be a long list of 20 things or just three. As long as you reach out to gratitude, the change is happening within you. See how to start your own gratitude journal that does magic for you.

16. Procrastinating

Procrastinating is a difficult habit to conquer, but imagine how far you can go if you make an effort to do so. Your future self will forever be grateful to you if you get your procrastination tendencies under control. See my latest tips on how to stay focused and avoid procrastination here.

17. Never learning another language

Not learning another language other than your mother tongue might not seem as much but will eventually become one of the things you will regret later in life. Imagine the satisfaction of going to another country and conversing in the native language of all the other opportunities this knowledge can unlock for you. 

18. Not expressing gratitude

I know I already mention this sone, but it deserves its own point. Being grateful is a virtue – and the best one at that. When you express your gratitude, you are both reinforcing the connections you have with other people, as well as healing your own soul in the process. 

19. Not owning a pet

Owning a pet satisfies a very specific part of our souls that nothing else can soothe. Only people who’ve owned a pet know how special this bond can be – so don’t deny yourself this pleasure if you can. Very shortly after you get your first furry friend, you will experience a different aspect of love and dedication you’ve never imagined existed.

20. Failing to set realistic expectations

If you set your expectations too high to the point of being unrealistic, you can only count on being disappointed. Try to learn how to set realistic expectations – you will both get things done, as well as gain that satisfaction of completing your goals in their entirety. 

21. Not having a plan for your life

Having a plan for your life can be very helpful in keeping you in check and sure that you are headed the right way. Of course, it’s never good to over-plan every single little thing but having a general idea of what you want to achieve by when can set you up for success. 

And if you need inspiration on how to change your life, here’s how I did it.

22. Not pushing yourself hard enough

You might be tempted to take things slow and enjoy your youth, but beware. If you’re not careful, the years will keep rolling by, and you will fall behind on the things you wanted to achieve if you don’t push yourself to do them. 

Now is the time you have to push yourself. Now is the time to do the most of your strength and inner power.

23. Pushing yourself too hard 

No, I’m not going insane…

The most modern disease (not the one you think of) is actually stress. No human is being spared from it nowadays, and its damages are usually long-term. It causes burn-out, which is not fun to go through. So pushing yourself is great.. until it is not anymore.

And if you asked yourself, “How do I know if I’ve pushed myself too much?” that would mean you are on the edge of doing so.

24. Ignoring your parent’s advice

Be honest – do you roll your eyes when your parents give you a piece of advice for something you think you are totally in control of? If you do, you aren’t the only one – but remember, there is often a lot of wisdom in the words of our parents, so take notes. 

25. Not saying “I love you” because you’re afraid 

These three words might seem like the most difficult ones to speak out, but it’s worth taking your shot whenever you feel them in your heart. If you don’t, there will come a time where you inevitably ask yourself a what-if question, turning this lack of courage into one of the biggest things you will regret. 

26. Not living in another country 

Living in a different country can expand your horizons exponentially. There is much to learn and much growing to do if you are put in that situation – so do your best and try to find an opportunity to move abroad for a while. 

I’ve changed three countries in the three decades of my life and plan on changing it yet again in a month or so. The experience is so enriching, challenging, and amazing… you must try that one.

27. Not investing in a pension fund 

While retirement can seem extremely distant from where you are standing now, you should give it the thought it deserves, so you don’t regret this later on. Get a consultation with a financial consultant to discuss your options and the best course of action for your case. 

28. Taking friendships for granted

You might think that friendships don’t require that much maintenance, especially if they are solid ones. Even if you don’t check in on each other frequently, the connection will still be there, right? Well, not exactly – these connections will fade if you don’t pay them proper attention. 

29. Ignoring your desires and not treating yourself

Sure, you might want to buy a lot of needless things that would serve you no purpose in the long run and are just based on a moment’s whim. However, if you truly want to buy something that would make you happy – treat yourself without remorse. 

30. Not having a hobby

Having a hobby is a very positive way to keep you entertained and purposefully occupied in your free time. If you don’t take the time to discover a hobby at a young age, your older years can be depleted of the meaning that such activity brings to your life. 

Conclusion

Now that you have more than a few ideas on what could leave regrets inside you once you are older, it is time actually to add to that list. Specify as much as possible. Relax your mind and don’t overthink. Try to write as many things as possible and see what pops up. You will be surprised.