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The things I regret......

(92 Posts)
Poppyred Sat 21-Apr-18 19:04:58

Being in too much of a rush to grow up....
Not savouring every moment of my children's childhood....
Not seeing Elvis live in concert......?❤️?❤️
Not being able to sing in tune ......

Dogsjj Sun 22-Apr-18 14:40:42

Couldn't agree more. Also I regret being so selfish as a teenager. My mother was a widow and when she wanted to be friendly with my friends I resented it and probably showed it, ugh!

mabon1 Sun 22-Apr-18 14:34:39

Not taking up a place at Bristol University to study law in 1959

annodomini Sun 22-Apr-18 14:31:04

As I said the last time we had a thread about this: 'je ne regrette rien'.

Grandma70s Sun 22-Apr-18 14:06:04

I regret not having moved south to London or the Home Counties when houses there were still affordable.

PoppyB Sun 22-Apr-18 13:48:38

My biggest regret is giving my son everything even my house to help him in his time of need. I showered my daughter in law with love, something I never had from my mother in law. I doted on my grandsons and saved for their futures. Now it’s all gone and I don’t know why. My son one day decided as he had had everything from me I was surplus to requirements. Letters, texts, phone calls, email to no avail. Nothing from them in three years, I’m heartbroken.

Patticake123 Sun 22-Apr-18 13:37:50

Like Stella1949 I didn’t see the Beatles in 1963 because my Mum wouldn’t let me queue for a ticket but I did see the Rolling Stones. Also I went into nursing because my parents wanted me to and 23 years later I changed careers and really enjoyed the latter part of my working life. Regretting is so negative, so I don’t regret those years, I learnt a lot. And last year I did see Paul Mc Cartney live on stage in Brooklyn, it was worth the wait!

Nanny41 Sun 22-Apr-18 13:30:55

Due to the fact I dont live in the UK I couldnt be with my parents when they died, it always makes me sad.

Marybel Sun 22-Apr-18 13:25:04

I regret thinking that there was endless time to do all the things I wanted to but didn't, mainly because my husband didn't want to. Now I am old and on my own, although I have the money to do all those things, health problems limit what I can do. I do count my blessings for my lovely family but feel I wasted so many years. To any younger members - you've only got one life so live it!

caocao Sun 22-Apr-18 12:22:56

Sunbathing!

loopyloo Sun 22-Apr-18 12:11:48

Not going to see the Rolling Stones.
Overall, not being forceful enough in expressing my opinion.
Sending our children to private school, then struggling to keep them there.
Not being aware how important money was, in terms of security.
Thinking all men were good with money because my father was.
Not putting money on Maori Venture and the Brexit vote.
But it's all been most interesting .

goldengirl Sun 22-Apr-18 11:30:59

There's been lots of good and many bad things in my life but I don't regret anything. It sounds cocky but I've tried to learn from the experiences and move on - though it's taken time in some instances. I'm a bit of a pessimist generally but as I get older and because of health issue I'm trying to be more positive - not easy but I keep at it.

Hm999 Sun 22-Apr-18 11:30:32

Awful (now ex-) husband, fabulous kids. So no regrets.

driverann Sun 22-Apr-18 11:29:36

If I could turn back the clock I don’t think I would change much at all. Of course not everyone or everything has been rosy and bliss but no one told me it would be. As the song says ‘I didn’t promise you a rose garden’. We are what we are and where at where we are at. My late sister Lilly wrote poetry. This was s one of hers.
Reflections.

I am looking out of the window what do I see
I see reflection, a reflection of me
I’m looking out the window there’s nobody about I get so very lonely I feel like I could shout. I’m looking out of the window at least I’m not alone, there’s always that reflection so I am never on my own, I’m looking out of the window it’s very late you know so I think it must be bedtime so it is time for us to go when I wake up tomorrow I wonder what I’ll see Will my reflexion still be looking back at me?
[Lilian Buckland]

Peardrop50 Sun 22-Apr-18 10:57:34

My biggest regret is not questioning my parents and grandparents more about life in their time, especially the family stuff.
Otherwise have lived a fairly privileged life with a kind, gentle, hardworking husband of 48 years. Four marvellous sons who fortunately take after their Dad. Great daughters in law and amazing, happy, healthy grandchildren.
Was going to add that I regret the two biscuits with my morning tea but put them back in the tin a moment ago so only regret the many before that.

Jayelld Sun 22-Apr-18 10:51:14

No regrets just sadness that gaining and keeping my independence lost me the closeness of a sister resulting in years of separation from my family.
Thankfulness that I have regained a relationship with 2 sisters and 2 brothers. Sadly my remaining sister will not acknowledge our sisterhood.

Blessed because I have a beautiful daughter, son in law and 4 wonderful grandchildren, a wide circle of very good friends and my faith.

Regrets, no.
Sadness, yes.
Blessings, too many to mention.

dogsmother Sun 22-Apr-18 10:44:48

Jaxie, I couldn’t agree with you more, I do get a huge buzz from my wonderful children.
The fact they are so clever ( and doing career things) but are all so grounded too. I could never regret a thing or I wouldn’t be at pe@ce now.

Yogadatti Sun 22-Apr-18 10:41:15

I regret every single thing apart from having two children.....how lucky people are who who have no regrets.

Rosina Sun 22-Apr-18 10:36:51

I sometimes reflect, Nanna58, that things we regret do loom too large and get out of proportion with hindsight. My children say that I was 'fierce' about things but have also thanked me for ensuring that they knew which fork to use and how to behave decently out in the world. People like them - they are two kind and lovable people so I reflect that it is either partly due to fierce old me - or perhaps in spite of me! We are where we are, so I am just grateful for their love, more than I can say.

Yellowmellow Sun 22-Apr-18 10:34:52

Same as Marthjolly1....apart from that...no regrets...life's too short xx I have got a bucket list...

Nanna58 Sun 22-Apr-18 10:12:25

Oh Rosina, I could have written your post! But we probably did a better job than we think, I mentioned this to my DD the other day, saying I was probably a better grandmother because I wasn’t so ‘time conscious ‘ and she said “ don’t be so bloody daft” !

sarahellenwhitney Sun 22-Apr-18 10:12:09

Being quick to jump and making assumptions has left me eating 'humble pie'.

Kitspurr Sun 22-Apr-18 10:11:33

Not being a stronger person.

Coconut Sun 22-Apr-18 10:07:52

I regret not having enough confidence to listen to my inner self, husband no:2 would’ve been left at the altar ! .... I now talk to myself when I need expert advice !!

grandtanteJE65 Sun 22-Apr-18 10:04:20

Feeling as a teenager and young adult that I was obliged to do the things I knew my parents wanted me to. I wish I had been more adventurous and risked their disapproval.

However, life turned out all right, though very few of my dreams came true, but lots of nice things I never dreamed of have happened instead.

Overthehills Sun 22-Apr-18 09:50:08

I know that regrets are a waste of time but I also wish I’d spent more time with my children when they were little. I wonder how they remember it? They’ve grown up to be wonderful people. Maybe the thing is to put everything into every minute now so we don’t have any more regrets?