Things you wish you would have done/done differently

[April20]

I wish I''d never quit piano lessons when I was a kid. I wasn''t into it at the time, but now having forgotten everything I ever learned, I really, really wish I''d stuck with it.

As to keeping a list of books- I used to keep one for the very reason you mentioned. I haven''t done it for years now and I can''t tell you how many times I''ve gotten halfway thru a book and suddenly realized I''ve read it before. It happens the most with authors that are very prolific. My MIL gave us a book last year (I think it was a James Patterson) that she really enjoyed and wanted us to read it. DH read it and then passed it to me. I got about 200 pages in when it suddenly hit me I''d already read the darn thing and remembered exactly how it all worked out. Irritation.

 

[Erin]

I wish I would have chose the higher paying job over the one I thought I would like more. I know that sounds backwards, but I''ve never really LOVED any job, and at least I''d be making more money.

 

[princesss]

I regret not playing sports in college. I know why I didn''t (newly diagnosed heart condition, far away from family, far away from my cardiologist), but it ended up causing more problems and I wasn''t as happy without a team. Now that I have a team in my life, I realize what was missing through college. If I could go back, I''d sign up for Ultimate and never look back!

 

[Vancity]

My grandmother was admitted to hospital one Sunday morning. The Dr''s said she had suffered a mild heart attack.

I spent all day at her side. She was in good spirits…joking, talking, and even eating the hospital food.

As I was leaving that night, I told her just how much I loved her.

In the very early Monday morning hours, she passed due to a massive heart attack.

Had I known then, that it would be the last time I would see her alive, I would have held her gaze and held her hands, just a few minutes longer...

 

[D&T]

I wished I was able to go to my close aunt''s funeral, but I had a baby that had bronchiolitis requiring breathing treatments. I also wished I would have finished nursing school.

 

[wsu12]

I wish I didn''t run up credit card debt in my early twenties that took me till just this year to completely pay off. I also wish I had started my MBA program at 22 right after I got my bachelors degree...going back to school is so much harder.

 

[zoebartlett]

I regret giving up sports when I was younger. I did gymnastics for almost 10 years and then I became fearful of getting hurt (after one too many twisted ankles, painful bruises from some of the equipment, etc.). I stopped cold turkey and then gave up all sports shortly after that. If I had kept up with it, I would have been more active than I ended up being, and that probably would have influenced decisions I''ve made since then.

 

[swimmer]

Date: 11/15/2009 7:07:45 PM
Author: thing2of2

Another thing I sometimes think about is not playing field hockey in college. I was really good but when you play sports for a Division I school all you do is practice, so I decided not to play. But I think it worked out for the best because I travelled a TON when I was in college the first time and really had an awesome time.


I really do believe the saying ''Everything happens for a reason'' is true. (As far as life choices go-it definitely does not apply to everything!)

Thing, we are sort of flip sides of the same coin. I regret focusing so much on my sport in college that I really limited some social avenues and never even learned to drink beer. Sort of made up for both by doing a post bacc in London, but again I was too academic and didn''t take the time to travel or carouse. As you know, you can always be an athlete, but you only get the college under 24 experience once. I still wake up for swim practice well before sunrise; swimming would have waited. I think you made the right decision.

 

[LGK]

I wish someone had told my 17 year old self that photographs never go away, videotapes likewise. And that bad choices can follow you for decades.

Beyond that, I regret not travelling more after college and before I took the job I've had for the last 10 years. Or taking a bit of time before jumping into the family business, though I love it.

 

[monarch64]

Credit cards. Giving up the piano. Not being assertive enough. Not taking my dog to obedience classes even though she is pretty well-behaved. Losing touch with a lot of people after I left my hometown.

 

[Kaleigh]

I wish I had been with my brother when he passed. I went home to be with my babies, and thought I would have more time. But time ran out. Luckily, I did get to say good bye and did spend a long time with him at the Hospital. But wished I had held him as he took his last breath.

 

[iheartscience]

Date: 11/16/2009 8:28:07 PM
Author: swimmer

Date: 11/15/2009 7:07:45 PM

Author: thing2of2

Another thing I sometimes think about is not playing field hockey in college. I was really good but when you play sports for a Division I school all you do is practice, so I decided not to play. But I think it worked out for the best because I travelled a TON when I was in college the first time and really had an awesome time.

I really do believe the saying ''Everything happens for a reason'' is true. (As far as life choices go-it definitely does not apply to everything!)

Thing, we are sort of flip sides of the same coin. I regret focusing so much on my sport in college that I really limited some social avenues and never even learned to drink beer. Sort of made up for both by doing a post bacc in London, but again I was too academic and didn''t take the time to travel or carouse. As you know, you can always be an athlete, but you only get the college under 24 experience once. I still wake up for swim practice well before sunrise; swimming would have waited. I think you made the right decision.

Wow, cool hearing from the other side, swimmer-thanks for that, seriously! I still wonder about what it would have been like, but I guess now that it''s too late I have to tell myself I made the right choice!

 

[tlh]

You know, I have things I wish I would have done differently... but every pain from every thorn I''ve ever known, has given me a new beautiful rose. I learn from my mistakes.. I learn from the mistakes of others... but I enjoy my life. The good and the bad.

I had made so many WRONG choices when I was younger... but had I changed any of them, I''d be a different person... in a different place. For example, I HIGHLY regret my major in college. I fell in love while in college and changed schools to be with my sweetie. The new school didn''t have as good a program, and I changed my major. Literally a semester in, I wanted to change my major - but knew I wouldn''t graduate in 4 years. My parents talked me out of it. (I now know my parents don''t give good advice, and don''t always know the right answers.) But I graduated, (sweetie and I no longer together) couldn''t find a job, got what I could get, and worked my tush off. Met a guy who was a real turd. Dated said turd, even though we were both miserable... stayed. Had I not hated him AND my awful job so much I never would have moved across the country.. where I met my current husband. Even though there was a lot of bad choices, there was good at the end. Had I changed any of those decisions... not changed schools and stuck w/ my major... Or changed my major and not graduated on time.. I may have not ended up with that awful job, and dated said turd- and been in a position where I would have met my husband.

So I wouldnt change a thing... because all the bad tally marks in the world - couldn''t negate this one AWESOME tally mark.

 

[meresal]

The only things I regret are when my actions caused unnecessary harm to others. Mainly the things that caused my parents to be upset or dissapointed with me.

I threw a pool party when my parents were out of town. A "bad" group from my school showed up and were mad that I wasn't letting anyone into the house. Well, after my parents got home, I found out that two of them had broken into my house and stolen about $5k worth of my mom's jewelry, not to mention the "priceless" items: pearls that my late grandfather gave her when she graduated from high school and a pearl ring that he got her when he was stationed in Italy.

I cried for days. It still pains me to think about. We knew exactly who it was, but they wouldn't tell us what pawn shop they took everything to.

 

[Laila619]

Date: 11/16/2009 12:57:18 AM
Author: Cind11
My biggest regret is probably my college major. I have never done anything with it and would never choose it today. I wish you didn't have to pick a major when you are only 18 years old because many people have no clue at that age who they are let alone what they want to do with the rest of their lives.

Huge ditto. I had no clue that when you picked your major, you were actually picking your future career (duh!).

I also regret wasting time with the losers I dated before my DH. But then again, maybe that was what helped me to see how truly wonderful DH is.

Another one: back when my DH and I were dating and I was a LIW, I regret the way I handled the whole thing. I should have just verbalized that I would like to get engaged, instead of expecting him to just read my mind and meet my expectations. Would have saved me a lot of silly, unnecessary angst!

 

[FrekeChild]

I regret dating the guy I dated before FI. Then again, it made me realize just how wonderful he is.

I regret going to class the night before my mom died. I ended up getting an A in the class because I went, but I should have held my ground. And I really regret going to class the day she died. I should have been there.

 

[Lady_Disdain]

I regret doing what was expected of me: a "respectable" major at an excellent college, getting a job at a good company, etc. Today, I don''t even know what I want or like to do for a living, and I hate my job.

I regret dropping ballet because of a stupid try out.

I regret not being more adventurous.

 

[wsu12]

Date: 11/18/2009 12:55:52 PM
Author: meresal
The only things I regret are when my actions caused unnecessary harm to others. Mainly the things that caused my parents to be upset or dissapointed with me.


I threw a pool party when my parents were out of town. A ''bad'' group from my school showed up and were mad that I wasn''t letting anyone into the house. Well, after my parents got home, I found out that two of them had broken into my house and stolen about $5k worth of my mom''s jewelry, not to mention the ''priceless'' items: pearls that my late grandfather gave her when she graduated from high school and a pearl ring that he got her when he was stationed in Italy.


I cried for days. It still pains me to think about. We knew exactly who it was, but they wouldn''t tell us what pawn shop they took everything to.

Meresal,
That just breaks my heart...People can be so cruel. I am so sorry.

 

[tlh]

Date: 11/19/2009 12:03:35 AM
Author: fsu1227

Date: 11/18/2009 12:55:52 PM
Author: meresal
The only things I regret are when my actions caused unnecessary harm to others. Mainly the things that caused my parents to be upset or dissapointed with me.


I threw a pool party when my parents were out of town. A ''bad'' group from my school showed up and were mad that I wasn''t letting anyone into the house. Well, after my parents got home, I found out that two of them had broken into my house and stolen about $5k worth of my mom''s jewelry, not to mention the ''priceless'' items: pearls that my late grandfather gave her when she graduated from high school and a pearl ring that he got her when he was stationed in Italy.


I cried for days. It still pains me to think about. We knew exactly who it was, but they wouldn''t tell us what pawn shop they took everything to.

Meresal,
That just breaks my heart...People can be so cruel. I am so sorry.

Ditto. I am so sorry to read that.

 

[AdiS]

I only regret letting too silly, too unimportant things hurt me way too deep in the past. But then again, I guess that also helped me become the person I am now. And I don''t tend to look back and feel regret. I make mistakes all the time, I learn from them and move on. That''s life.

 

[joflier]

I regret not being a better friend in highschool and college. I was so wrapped up in my ex-husband (bf at the time), that I didn''t take very much time for any one else besides him. I let a lot of really great people walk in and out of my life, that I should have made more time for. I feel guilty about that now. And those friends would have made a better and more positive impact in my world than he.

 

[meresal]

Date: 11/19/2009 11:17:46 AM
Author: tlh

Date: 11/19/2009 12:03:35 AM
Author: fsu1227

Date: 11/18/2009 12:55:52 PM
Author: meresal
The only things I regret are when my actions caused unnecessary harm to others. Mainly the things that caused my parents to be upset or dissapointed with me.


I threw a pool party when my parents were out of town. A 'bad' group from my school showed up and were mad that I wasn't letting anyone into the house. Well, after my parents got home, I found out that two of them had broken into my house and stolen about $5k worth of my mom's jewelry, not to mention the 'priceless' items: pearls that my late grandfather gave her when she graduated from high school and a pearl ring that he got her when he was stationed in Italy.


I cried for days. It still pains me to think about. We knew exactly who it was, but they wouldn't tell us what pawn shop they took everything to.

Meresal,
That just breaks my heart...People can be so cruel. I am so sorry.

Ditto. I am so sorry to read that.

Thanks ladies. It was very hard. I was heart broken, as I knew that my mom was as well. The day they confronted me, I later heard my mom sobbing in our office and I absolutely hated myself. One of the guys was some poser that was still in high school and when the police showed up at his house to talk with him and his parents, they were sure that he would turn the other guy in, but he said he knew nothing about it. I found out at the end of the summer exactly which guy it was, but by that time there was no hope of recovering anything from the pawn shops, and the police wouldn't investigate any further.

She and I went on my graduation trip, a year after that in 2006, and while in Florence we were looking for a matching ring. I wanted so desperately for her to find something, but we had no luck. She was still in good spirits though, and I think that is when I realized that it was ok in her eyes now. She has never brought it up, and I really appreciate that my parents are nice about that. They know when you are hurting and they aren't ones to rub salt in the wound.

My DH threw a party in high school and one of his freinds kicked the glass front door in, and they still bring it up at least once every quarter. My DH laughs, but I know it must be annoying to know that you have apologized for something over and over and for it to still be thrown in your face.

 

[nytemist]

Still to this day I regret not going to the college that had everything I wanted and instead going to the one that was less expensive and didn''t have as much to offer. Probably would have made a world of difference career wise.

Not going with my friends to hop around Europe after high school. I think it would have made me a different person as an adult and made me appreciate cultural differences even more.

Staying at this job for so long. I should have left at least 4-5 years ago.

Lately, I''ve been regretting getting married.

Not moving to Miami with a friend years ago when I could have afforded it.

 

[Shoopy]

The only thing I regret is not keeping my weight off. I went through a period where I had lost at least 50lbs and felt great. I slowly packed it all on (and then some) over the years. I wish I would have been more motivated to maintain where I was. It''s such a PITA to lose weight

 

[elrohwen]

I regret not playing polo in college. I quit after the first year because I didn''t think I would make varsity tryouts, and I didn''t think I had time (all engineering exams were Tuesdays and Thursdays, as were varsity polo practices). Maybe I wouldn''t have been able to make it work, but I wish I had tried.

I regret giving up the cello. Granted, I played for 10 years before giving it up, but now after not playing for about 4, I wish I had stuck at it. It''s frustrating to start over at a much lower skill level and remember how good you used to be (this goes for horse back riding as well, though I honestly didn''t have the money to do it right after college, so I can''t beat myself up for that). It makes me sad to feel lilke I can play a song or ride a horse, but then try it and find that my muscles just can''t do it anymore. I need to have more patience with myself.

I regret gaining weight when DH and I moved in together a few years ago. I was at such a great weight and felt great about myself, then I gained 10lbs (which doesn''t sound like a lot, but I find it extremely difficult to lose weight). I''m usually good at maintaining my weight and if I had just been more careful when we moved in together I wouldn''t have a problem now.

 

[Little Monster]

not going to vet school

dating the guy before my current boyfriend

not going to the gym & getting in shape earlier

 

[FancyDiamond]

None. Can''t think of anything. Perhaps it is is because I am too busy enjoying life and treasuring what I have. For all the mishaps and mistakes I had in the past, I do not regret them, because they helped me learn not to repeat them or avoid them in the future.

 

[Luckyeshe]

I regret not spending more time with my aunt/godmother before she passed away.

Staying in a job where I was yelled at constantly (this is the only way the boss knew how to communicate). I should have left sooner. I did get to leave as soon as I got an offer.

Gaining weight while at said job due to excessive soda consumption since soda and food became my crutch.

Not taking better care of myself and sticking with my workout routine.