If you could show a younger you the results of a decision you regret now, do you think you would do things differently?

I would, I hope I would. The things that I did as a teen…

I’d change it all in a heartbeat!

I hope so, but I’m not sure that I would listen to myself. I’ve ignored a lot of good advice over the years.

I would like to think so, but I was remarkably hard headed when I was young. I’d have to have had proof positive that it was me and not an acid induced hallucination.

I doubt that I could change the mind of the younger me. The younger me was very opinionated and stubborn and is very unlikely to change its ways just because an older version dropped by. Besides, other than the decision to go to Vietnam, I stand by my earlier decisions.

I really wish I could have talked my younger self out of taking on so much debt for college, and going to grad school. I doubt younger self would have listened though.

Most definitely! It would be the difference being bowing and scraping and having a much more secure life put aside for.

Some things yes, some things no.

No

Absolutely.

Nope. I think things through very thoroughly before making a decision/action, and I’ve done pretty well so far. I honestly haven’t made any mistakes or poor decisions big enough to be worth changing.

No – which is not to say I haven’t made stupid decisions (there are many), but it’s all part of how I got where I am now. Overall, I’m pretty okay where I am now, so why tempt fate?

Only minimal things, like telling the guy I liked about my feelings, kissing him at a certain moment etc. Most of those little things are silly and some just make me laugh. But I wouldn’t change anything major because I am who I am for that even if it made me sad at the time.

The younger me would understand the gravity of her actions and decisions, at least partially, and may even be frightened by then. (alcoholism, mostly) But the younger me doesn’t think about the future, doesn’t really give a fuck about it, and even if concerned slightly, she just assumes it’s not gonna happen if she doesn’t want it to, and can change things overnight with the snap of a finger, when things get too shitty. But she’d be wrong, and I’d try to teach her that. I’m pretty sure she wouldn’t listen though. That stupid bitch lol.

Yes. It hurts me to realize my daughter would probably not be a part of that different life, but I’ve seriously screwed some things up and would like a do-over. I like to think I would be blessed with her either way… Not that it matters since do-overs aren’t allowed.

HELL YES I will live with regret the rest of my life.

I don’t have too many regrets. I would just try to convince younger me not to be so rough on his body. All those sports injuries catch up with you eventually.

@Adirondackwannabe What sports did you play?
As for me, I am a cautious person, so most of my regrets have to do with the things I was afraid to try and missed out on, not mistakes I made by taking the wrong actions or making the wrong move. I wish I could go back and be more daring and crazy, but then, that wouldn’t be me would it? One thing I would like to try that I would feel silly about is skateboarding. I saw some kids on my block coasting along the other day and I can’t stop thinking about it! It looks like so much fun.

@Earthgirl I tried football for two years, my knees were too bad for that. I switched to basketball. That was fun. Until I had to guard a 6’8” guy, I’m 6’1”

@Adirondackwannabe ahhh, football. Sigh, not a fan. I think running is even worse on your knees than football isn’t it? My high school sweetheart was a cross-country runner. I wonder how his knees are doing now.

@Earthgirl Football is rough on the knees. You slap on 15 or so pounds of pads and it throws off your stride.

Probably not, because all the mistakes I’ve made contributed to who I am now. I’d be a completely different person if I changed things.

However, if I could go back, I’d take better care of my health. I didn’t, and am living with some of the consequences now.