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Looking back:Is there anything you would have done differently?

(119 Posts)
Rocketstop2 Wed 25-Mar-26 19:23:17

I would have started my own business early on , not listened to the doubters.
I would have taken more risks earlier on, knowing what I know now.
I would have travelled more if I couold have but never had the spare money.
What about you ? I don't mean in a regretful 'Woe is me' kind of way, I know we can't change things and live for the here and now, but if you could go back and change how you did things, would you ?

inishowen Thu 26-Mar-26 15:10:45

I regret marrying at 20. I went from mum and dad's house to married life. I never had a chance to just be me. Never went on a holiday with friends. I dont regret who I married just that I missed on being independent.

WithNobsOnIt Thu 26-Mar-26 15:23:14

Yes, giving a lot of time,money and energy to the wrong people and ideas when younger.

And not really questioning the class and financial system. Settling for less.

But l feel contented in my old age despite not being in great health.

Happy Days
👍🤞😻
Xxx

Lizzie44 Thu 26-Mar-26 15:45:52

I wish I had said "yes" more often than "no". I was always very cautious and unadventurous. I was very timid in my childhood and youth and I spent too long thinking about things rather than just diving in and embracing new experiences and opportunities. Nonetheless, looking back now in my 80s I realise that I have been fortunate to enjoy a happy and comfortable life with a loving husband and children. My only disappointment is not having had a career. I was a "housewife" and that was my designated occupation in the 1960s.

4allweknow Thu 26-Mar-26 15:46:51

The one thing I regret is having returned home to look after parents. Had one order sister, two order brothers all with children all well into teens early 20s, who didnt have any interest in what parents needed., I had 3 under 5. My life and DHs life was turned upside down. DH gave up loads of opportunity regardinv his career.Parents were grateful but I just had so much resentment for siblings and it's never left me. Two siblings now dead, remaining is such a masochist I can hard speak to him. Children all left after Uni to basically return to area they were born and we had left all those years ago. I have made it very clear no-one is to have any responsibility for care should I need any. I will have lived my life and they should continue with theirs.

jakuss Thu 26-Mar-26 15:47:19

Yes, not had kids

Fudgemonkey Thu 26-Mar-26 15:52:56

I wouldn't have married the man I'm with.

SillyNanny321 Thu 26-Mar-26 16:02:04

Think i would change a lot! Not my parents, son or brother! Would not have gone to school the day an accident left me with disability later on. Would have said yes to the one I said no to, regretted that all my life! Wouldnt have had my son then so was I right or was I wrong? Would not have made the man I married ‘second best’ as no one deserves that! Many things since like the places I moved to when I was happier where I was but did as others wanted! Would not have believed someone who I thought was a friend! My life has not been all doom & gloom. There have been more good times than bad when thinking about it. I do have my lovely son who is the best in the world! I have a lovely daughter in law &2 wonderful Grandchildren. All that I would not change!

coral2 Thu 26-Mar-26 16:08:11

I wish that I wasn't such a nit wit who knew everything , and listened to my elders .

Cambia Thu 26-Mar-26 16:23:30

Don’t regret anything but there are a few things I would change. Married at 19 and still happy together so that was a good choice! Bringing up children and running our own business meant I do regret not having more time for our two boys because of working so hard and long hours. But we now have a great life style and they both have a good work ethic and are nice people so can’t have gone too far wrong!
Do think we should have split away from our family business and had the guts to go it alone but our lives are so happy now I can’t really regret this either too much.

pably15 Thu 26-Mar-26 16:26:03

don't really regret much, I had great parents, not rich by any means,but great just the same. so glad I married the man I did, and still do, and so glad that I have the children and grand I have.

Silvertwigs Thu 26-Mar-26 16:27:00

Cossy right back at ya, almost absolutely everything!

pably15 Thu 26-Mar-26 16:27:13

meant grand children

Etoile2701 Thu 26-Mar-26 16:39:00

boheminan

Strangely I asked a close friend this question this morning and her response was 'no'. I so regret I didn't carry on having a car and driving (I gave up 30 years ago) my life would have taken such a different turn to how I've ended up.

I gave up driving over 30 years ago too but I don't regret it at all, as I just hated it. My first driving instructor (of many) told me I wasn't a natural driver and shortly afterwards she shot herself. This seemed to me like a bad omen.

Etoile2701 Thu 26-Mar-26 16:42:09

Absolutely.

Desdemona Thu 26-Mar-26 16:43:03

Been born to different parents ( but that isn't a choice is it?)

Astitchintime Thu 26-Mar-26 16:48:25

Plenty……..

Bazza Thu 26-Mar-26 17:02:14

Not much really, I can look back at 80 and honestly say I’ve had a blast. Of course it wasn’t perfect, who’s life is, and my regret is being persuaded to be a secretary because I couldn’t think what I wanted to do, and I loathed it although made some lifelong friends. I gave it up at the earliest opportunity when I had children. It’s only recently that I decided that I would loved to have been a precious gem dealer, something that has always fascinated me. A bit late now! Oh and turning down a VIP ticket for Live Aid as I wasn’t keen on crowds. I also wish I hadn’t been such a selfish teenager and had spent more time at the weekends with my lovely single mum.

Susieq62 Thu 26-Mar-26 17:02:57

I would have stayed in Sydney in 1975 instead of thinking my then boyfriend wanted me to come back to the UK

Elusivebutterfly Thu 26-Mar-26 17:15:44

I could say a lot of things, but one thing is not persevering with learning to drive. I failed the test twice. Lessons were expensive with a young family, and my husband wanted me to stop. I could have tried again later but lost my nerve.

Lilyflower Thu 26-Mar-26 17:17:22

No regrets. Things are not perfect but they are pretty good and I feel fortunate to have ended up 'comfortable' when my early prospects were poor. I have an amazing family: DH, DS, DD and lovely SIL and two adorable and delightful DGDs.

I don't want to change the past as all the low points and bad decisions are learning experiences. I just want things to stay on an even keel and not get worse.

67notout Thu 26-Mar-26 17:54:55

I regret leaving it until in my late sixties to learn how to love dogs. I was terrified of them (family dog attacked me aged 3 but honestly I have no memory of it, just a scar). I am now so comfortable around them and really love them. I missed out on a lot of pleasure.

Rocketstop2 Thu 26-Mar-26 18:46:29

Thanks for all your posts, they make interesting reading !
I guess we are all still learning not matter how old we are, life is trial and error it seems ...
and on a silly note...I do regret not purchasing any choc at the shop today.Wanted something to nibble later while watching Apprentice !!!

sandye Thu 26-Mar-26 19:01:01

I would have moved to Gibraltar, being a British territory it would have been so easy. Lived my life in the sun.

sharon103 Thu 26-Mar-26 19:05:42

Yes, I wish I had had a different groom at the altar.

BladeAnnie Thu 26-Mar-26 19:15:48

My only regret in life is that I didn't become a nurse sooner. Got there in the end though and it was what I was meant to do!