Now that I’m in my 50’s, I have so many regrets from my younger days

[Anonymous]

I’ll be blunt, in my younger days I did things that I’m not proud of. I slept around, drank too much, acted irresponsible which could have been dangerous for me- thank goodness nothing bad happened! I’mcollege educated, was brought up in upper middle class family, always have had professional jobs. But, I was kind of wild. Now I’m looking back at my life and am ashamed, embarrassed and so wish that I could do things over! I was such an idiot! I’m not super religious, but enough so that I’ve asked God for forgiveness. But, it’s really bothering me. I use to look back and laugh at some of the stories, now I just cringe!

Anyone else feel this way? And if so, how are you dealing with it? I mean, obviously I can’t redo things.

[Anonymous]

Try to extend some forgiveness to your younger self. Treat her kindly.

[Anonymous]

Why now? Do you have teens that you are afraid will take too many risks?

I am mostly at peace with my younger days, but yes, I think we all have memories that sometimes pop up at random and make us cringe.

[Anonymous]

I’m 55 and have had those feelings. I think it’s very normal. You don’t need to continually ask for forgiveness from God. You need to work on releasing the things that no longer serve you. It’s not about forgiveness. It’s about allowing yourself the same grace you would offer others. You can do that by reminding yourself that none of us are perfect. We tend to grow the most through the mistakes that we make in life. The past doesn’t exist anymore. Now is what matters. 💚

[Anonymous]

Think of Matt Gaetz and be grateful.

[Anonymous]

Be thankful that you survived your more reckless youth. I would still look back with some amusement. Appreciate that you are a work in progress and don't waste your days now regretting what is in the past.

God has already forgiven you. Move forward. Aim not to be on here at 80 regretting that your happiness was tarnished by regrets and guilt.

[Anonymous]

Instead of considering these regrets why not consider them lessons you learned successfully? You stopped sleeping around, you curtailed excessive drinking, you learned to act more responsibly.

We all have lessons we've learned in life. Carry forward that education and if possible, help someone else along the way with your wisdom.

[Anonymous]

Nope. I was wild, I had no guidance. I even got raped and pregnant.

I really don’t have regrets.

You need therapy not God.

Try reading Eckert Tolle.

[Anonymous]

Only regrets you should feel guilty about the ones you hurt someone particularly the ones who loved you. I am in late 50s myself and I only have two regrets - wish i were better to my parents and the way I treated first GF over 40 years ago.

[Anonymous]

I only regret that I wasn’t a bit more on the wild side. There is a time for everything, and I missed out on my window for being careless and stupid. But catching up now would be pathetic

[Anonymous]

Thankfully no Facebook, Instagram, Twitter.
I feel for the young & foolish now—no hiding or chance to grow from past youthful stupidity

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I only regret that I wasn’t a bit more on the wild side. There is a time for everything, and I missed out on my window for being careless and stupid. But catching up now would be pathetic

+1 lol me too. I was a bit too straight laced and uptight, but now that ship has sailed. Though, I would not do anythng really careless or stupid. I'm just not wired that way. But, I wish I did experience more.

I also regret some parenting choices I made.

I'm also too hard on myself and had way too high expectations.

All things I regret.

[Anonymous]

Doesn’t sound so bad, OP.

[Anonymous]

Well I’m approaching 50, have a similar background as you do, and have major life regrets that I didn’t do more of these things. I was too concerned with being the “good girl” that I missed out on a lot of fun. Now that I’m married with middle schoolers, I’m certainly not going to go crazy but I sure wish I had when I could have.

[Anonymous]

It’s a waste of time to regret stuff like that. Those experiences shaped who you are today. Forgive yourself; love yourself. You are a worthy and precious human being, as are we all.

If you’ve hurt someone, if possible, make amends. If that’s not possible, use the shame of that to do good for someone else now and in the future.

There are no lives lived without mistakes. Learn from them and move on.