We all have our regrets…but some are bigger than others.
Regrets are a part of life we all have them.
In the best cases, they provide us with opportunities for personal growth and help us become better people.
“Their confessional responses are profoundly moving and thought-provoking.
Take a look:
Warning: This post includes mentions of child loss and drug addiction.
“It’s a simple one that changed my life forever, unfortunately.
I picked up a shift at work late one night and left my kids with my Ma.
It was usually Papa who watched my twins, but he was sick, so I asked Ma.
I mean, that’s fine and shouldn’t be a big deal, right?
“I wish I’d come out sooner.
But it’s too late now.
Zach, Quora
3.
At the time I was in college and she was living in a crack-addicted nightmare.
I had my boyfriend with me, and the experience was very uncomfortable for both of us.
“I regret losing my virginity to the wrong guy.
I was just 16 when this guy pinged me on Facebook, and we started talking.
After a month, I met him and fell into that trap.
I thought all the lovey-dovey things he did meant that he really loved me.
I had literally no idea what actual love felt like at that time.
I was just a dumb asshole with an immature and innocent heart.
After some days, he took me to his flat, and he did everything.
I closed my eyes and felt him all over me.
I had love in my eyes and my heart.
I moved on and did great later in my life.
I met so many nice people and experienced what actual love feels like.
Shreya T., Quora
5.
Eventually, my sons also left me, and now I have no relationship with any of them.”
“Taking out student loans.
A lot of them.
They just knew that they couldnt help me with it at all.
And I even worked the entire time I was in college to pay for my room and board.
Its not as if I had been lazy during those years.”
“Heres what they dont tell you about student loans: They make you pay the interest first.
I still owe just as much now as the day I graduated.
Im 37 and still paying for classes I took when I was 18 in 1998.
And I have no one to blame but myself.
Kids, do not go into debt for a worthless college degree.
If you must, do it for a degree that will get you a good job.”
Matthew B., Quora
7.
“I never told anyone about this.
I destroyed a happy marriage of people I cared for.
Shortly after high school, I had a very good friend I hoped would become my girlfriend.
Long story short, it never panned out I was too shy and unsure of myself.
This devastated me, and I lost the last shred of self-confidence.
Soon after we lost contact.
Stupid and selfish, now I know.”
“I was in complete shock at the sudden death of my 22-year-old son.
My greatest regret is that I did not offer his organs to save the lives of others.
My son was the epitome of good health when he drowned.
His very healthy organs could have saved many lives.
Even though the autopsy report said death by drowning, he did not drown.
Even his lungs could have saved another life.
I will never forgive myself for not offering his organs to others.”
Diane W., Quora
9.
“I started smoking at age 11.
I’m now 66 and have emphysema.
It’s a cruel way to die.
There are so many things I can’t do anymore without gasping for breath.
“I never forgave my wife.
My high school sweetheart and I had a son when we were just 17.
We got married at 19.
At 21 she cheated on me.
I stayed with her because I wanted to stay near my son, but I could never forgive her.
It took many years, but we finally divorced after my son was grown.
Since our divorce five years ago, I have been miserable.
I miss her terribly.
We are still friends and talk regularly, but I hate that I could never forgive her.
I am more unhappy without her than I was with her.
I truly wish I could have found a way to get over it while we were still together.”
CarlAZV, Quora
11.
“I lived with my parents until I was 32.
I lived at home and went to a local college, graduating when I was 23.
Got a pretty good job and saved enough money for awesome trips to Africa and Costa Rica.
Bought a nice new car.
Saved enough money to make a large down payment on a condo when I finally moved out.
But I regret not getting out on my own much sooner.
I’m very introverted and lost a lot of opportunities to learn to get along with people.
I didn’t have to.
Sure, I had friends and dated, but I never had roommates.
I had girlfriends but never had a sleepover at my parents' house.
By the time I moved out, I was fully in career mode and comfortably set in my ways.
I feel like I got a very delayed start learning social skills.
I’m not exactly lonely.
I learned to live quite happily by myself.
At this point, it’s just easier and more comfortable.
I’m 61 now.
Quite honestly, I’ve become a self-made hermit.”
“I’m a single gay man.
One of my life’s regrets is that I never had children.
FunGayGuy, Quora
13.
“My biggest regret in life is getting married.
Before marriage, I was a fun-loving guy who enjoyed the little moments in life.
I worked on weekdays, relaxed on weekends, and loved to travel.
Life felt balanced and fulfilling.
But after marriage, things changed drastically.
Now, I find myself happy only two to three days a month.
Marriage has taken away a lot of the freedom and joy I used to cherish.
It’s frustrating, and I miss the person I used to be.”
“I’m 18 years old and have a 34-year-old sister, but we’ve never been close.
My point is that I have never been close to my sister.
We don’t do sisterly things, but I love her very much.
She’s getting married in two days and didn’t ask me to be her bridesmaid.
They were so close, and she had even confided things I would never tell my sister.
Her sister has even asked her to be her maid of honor.
I wish we had a relationship like that.
I regret being rude to her and never trying to get close to her.
just be nice to your family members.”
Thatonesadgirl655, Quora
15.
It was a chilly evening, and a cold drizzle was turning into a rainstorm.
She wasn’t wearing a coat, and her jeans and T-shirt were soiled and raggedy.
As I watched, she started to cry.
Then, my husband returned.
I couldn’t even articulate to him the moral impasse I was in.
He started the car, and we proceeded on our way.”
“My biggest regret is not inviting my sons father to our family photo shoot.
The photo shoot was a gift from my sister.
Logistics were often frustrating to him.
Little did I know that he would die that same year.
I dont have a single good pic of the two of them together.
It would have meant a lot to my son.
My sons dad was only 43 when he died of a heart attack.
I thought I would have another opportunity.
Its definitely my biggest regret.”
Michele F., Quora
17.
“There’s this girl.
She was a smart and caring soul.
Every summer when we met, she would ensure I was the happiest person on this planet.
She would talk to me for hours!
She loved me, and I loved her back.
Two summers back, she called me suddenly.
She asked, ‘Why are you not here to see me?
She calmly said OK, and we hung up.
Two days later, she passed away.
By the time I reached, her last rites were finished.
The girl was my grandmother.
I wish I had gone to visit her instead.”
(Submissions have been edited for length and clarity.)
