I just turned 30. I have a question...
Imagine you could do your 20s over again.
What's ONE THING you'd do differently?
(Only answer if you're 30+)
Imagine you could do your 20s over again.
What's ONE THING you'd do differently?
(Only answer if you're 30+)
Totally agree with the other answers, it's definitely paying more attention to my health as well.
It's ridiculous how you can take it for granted in your 20s, and not realize it's one of the most important things in life.
Lots of people are saying this. What exactly has happened that so many people regret their 20s health-wise? The only thing I didn't do in my 20s was sleep enough, and I don't think/hope that's going to affect me long-term. I worked out a ton and ate well.
If you think not sleeping enough is not going to have a long-term effect I'd recommend reading Why we sleep by Matthew Walker.
In my 20s I definitely neglected sleep, exercise, eating healthy, mental health. Luckily I don't have any serious health issues. Or at least it's hard to directly link them to my earlier lifestyle choices.
But, my point is, once I turned 30 and the first (even if mild) problems started to appear I realized how stupid I was earlier that it didn't even cross my mind to put health as my no. 1 priority.
Save as much money as possible not get tied into any debt.
Take more action on ideas.
I actually don't regret my debt, but it was almost all related to business. Didn't live life on a credit card. But this is definitely a big theme here, so thanks for sharing -- debt can be stifling! I've seen it make friends' lives very tough for many years.
I'm turning 29 this year, I would have simply stuck with one business idea for at least two years before trashing it. I started so many things that probably could have done well had I just stuck it out.
Yes. I have spoken to probably 500 startup founders in the past few years, and I rarely hear an idea that just isn't going to work, no matter what. Oftentimes, the founders just abandon the idea too early! Or it just needs a little tweaking.
Persistence isn't always the answer, but you can't know for sure unless you try it and see what happens!
Definitely take better care of my health:
- Exercise regularly
- Floss
- Sleep well
- Don't slouch (take care of your back)
- Avoid overworking
When we're young our body is much stronger and resilient. So we just don't pay attention to those things. But once in your 30's you'll start paying the price for things that you neglected in your previous decade. Chronic back pain here. A falling tooth over there.
It all adds up.
Not that I'm doing bad, but I see those issues arise on my friends. And I wish someone had told me all those things 10 years ago.
I hear this question all the time and it's not very useful. You see the world with the lens of where you are right now. Looking back is pointless. Trying to make twenty-some think like thirty-some is pointless as well. You should be always fully focused on NOW. At the 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s…
I would have made totally different life decisions.
I'd have majored in computer science and focused on getting a programming job right out of college. That would have saved me six years of lost time in my 20's.
I wouldn't have bothered with most of the girls I dated back then.
I never would have moved to NYC or SF.
I would have focused on my career and finances.
I would have paid more attention to my mental health and gotten the help I needed for depression when I needed it.
That said, there's no point in dwelling on the past. I make an effort to catch myself whenever I'm entering a cycle of rumination. I still have a lot to be grateful for, particularly my health. It's never too late to start doing things right.
This is great. Thanks!
Yes, the past is the past. It's not good to dwell there. And yes, it's never too late! I love this attitude.
Still under 30 but here to listen to the answers!
You're wise to do so!
If I stopped eating junk food and alcohol all the time at 20 instead of 29 my 20s would have been completely different.
Thanks for sharing. Only recently have I realized that I'm actually lucky for not being able to drink much without feeling super sick. I regret other things, but this is one I (fortunately) haven't had to worry about.
Would have been more kind.
Also as someone 40+ I want to comment on this 20s vs 30s business. I think there is a mistaken belief that things go downhill at 30+ and you're left thinking of all your missed opportunities. But really your mind and body in your 30s is not a whole lot different than 20s. Maybe it's too late to try out for the olympics, but you still have a huge capacity to be fit and healthy and productive, if you take proper care of yourself. It's not till your 60s that things really go to shit. So don't spend too much energy looking backwards.
Yes! I think 30s are actually the most important decade career-wise and health-wise.
Do not dwell on your past and regret of anything - move on!
Rationale? Dwelling on your past eats up your creative energy.
For me, it would be take more risk.
I played it save and accepted what came on my path instead of seeking what I would like to come towards me (at that time and for the future). Now in my 40’s with more obligations and an accustomed lifestyle it’s feels way harder to make that decision to pivot and pursue a passion.
Interested why you ask this question? What do these answers from mostly unknown people mean to you? And how do you think it will help you with your life’s journey?
Good luck!
I was curious about the themes that would emerge here. Definitely some common threads, which I find interesting.
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I agree!
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I only sort-of made this decision a few months ago. I had in mind that I would sell my business one day soon, but after seeing how things progressed over the past five years, this just isn't anywhere close to ready for that, and I'm better off just focusing on the fundamentals for now -- building for the long-term, letting the cards fall where they may.
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This. And I wouldn't even finance a car again, drive a beater!
Interesting. One thing I wish I'd done is traveled more, though I never had the money for this. Do you think it would have been completely unwise to put, say, a trip to Japan on a credit card? Is the experience worth the debt? Does it "pay off" later?
Of all the worth it things in my life, traveling the world is #1 by far. I don't even remember any cost of any of my trips but I remember how they've changed my life and mentality of it all.
Very true. I did travel once to Europe, and though it was costly, I've never regretted a dime of the expense.
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Makes sense. I tend to agree.
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