“I regret putting up with toxic behavior from relatives ‘because they are family.’
I wish that I’d set my boundaries and been done with that much earlier.
Nobody should put up with bad behavior.”
“I assumed my immediate family would always be there.
Within three years I lost my beloved Nana and both of my parents.
As a cruel coda, my very much alive sister has completely cut me off.
Sometimes I feel like the last person on earth.
Now, theyre all gone.”
because in my mind, Im still the child of the family.
Lots of psychology there!"
applesauceandchops
2.
“My familys health.
eklimen
3.
“I took my beautiful, youthful skin for granted.
I cannot believe I used to put BABY OIL on and lay in the sun!
Wear sunblock!!!”
lanamarie
4.
It’s bliss.”
aabee
5.
“Things I took for granted: 1) FREEDOM.
I feel so bogged down with people I have to take care of.
I knew I would make more as I advanced in my career, and I have.
oliviab4e967f9ac
6.“Teeth!
I had braces, and my teeth were perfect.
I also used to open things with my teeth.
All of a sudden, they started just coming apart.
I’m about to start major, expensive work to fix everything, and it sucks!”
“I was so cute with my pearly whites.
Now, I can hardly look in the mirror.”
luckyangel30
7.
“I always thought that someday, I would have my sh*t together.
I’m 36 next month, and I categorically do NOT have my sh*t together at all.
gemface
8. jshamwow
9.
Im glad I danced, climbed mountains, and canoed rivers then because I cant do it now.
Its aching joints and bad balance and less stamina.”
erinsmith5
10.
“I regret putting up with toxic behavior from relatives ‘because they are family.’
I wish that I’d set my boundaries and been done with that much earlier.
Nobody should put up with bad behavior.”
61, Arizona
11.
“I took time for granted.
Time to travel, time to try new things.
Do wild stuff while you’re young.”
44, Illinois
12.
“Always having money.
I wish I’d started putting money aside for my retirement earlier.”
56, Canada
13.
“I regret listening to what OTHER people thought I should do.
jm2007
14.
Also, having adequate sleep and the ability to heal instantly from the smallest bump or sprain.”
55, California
15.
“I took joint and spine health for granted.
So, there are pros and cons.
Youth is wasted on the young?
norty
16.
“Growing up in the 1960s, we knew we would eventually grow up, but never grow old.
We thought the fun decade would go on forever.
Now, I am old, and my friends are dying from not taking care of themselves.
I sort of took care of myself and am not doing too badly.
I just don’t want to be alone, and the old friends are all gone.”
spindru
17.
“That life happens, the good, the bad, the ugly, and the great.
“Also, we used to give each other big gifts, now we do experiences.
41, USA
18.
They were great parents, but they were awesome grandparents!”
faithy29
And finally…
19.
“The independence and freedom that comes with being fully able-bodied.
Due to progressive blindness, Ive had to give up a lot over the last decade.
Hell, I even kind of miss my corporate management job sometimes.”
jbdnco
Note: Some responses have been edited for length and/or clarity.
