avatarAnnie Wegner

Summary

The article discusses the regrets of people aged 26 to 41, focusing on the importance of health, self-care, and financial decisions.

Abstract

The article titled "The Regrets of People Your Age" explores the regrets of individuals between the ages of 26 and 41, emphasizing the significance of health, self-care, and financial choices. The author shares a personal anecdote from a women's Facebook group, where members express regret for not purchasing a house when prices were lower. The article then presents a list of the biggest mistakes made by millennials, as reported in a study by Upworthy. These mistakes include neglecting health, undervaluing oneself, and staying too long in a job for the sake of safety and ease. The author also highlights the importance of prioritizing one's needs, dealing with emotions, and asking for more pay.

Opinions

  • Health and self-care should be prioritized from an early age to prevent future regrets.
  • Financial decisions, such as buying a house when prices are low, can have long-term benefits.
  • Loyalty to an employer does not always lead to better opportunities or pay.
  • Prioritizing one's needs and dealing with emotions are essential for personal growth and happiness.
  • Asking for more pay can lead to significant financial benefits.
  • Spending too much time in front of a screen can lead to a lack of enjoyment in life.
  • It is important to maintain a work-life balance and not let the fear of making the wrong choice prevent one from taking action.

The Regrets of People Your Age

People between the ages of 26 to 41 have regrets too.

Photo by Liza Summer on Pexels

What will matter when you get older? Why are you looking for advice from people on their deathbeds? Why not look at more immediate regrets? What can you change now to prevent a mid-life crisis?

Everybody wants to make a different choice in their past life. But some regrets are preventable. You can learn from people making similar choices as you.

I am shocked to learn the Gen Z group is between 10 and 25 years old. So, you and I are millennials in the age range of 26 and 41. And, of course, the closeness of 40 has many in their feelings.

Given rising inflation, millennials have the best answers about what matters in life. Upworthy did a study on mistakes. Here are the regrets of people in your 26 to 41 age group.

Quick Side Note.

I’m in a women’s Facebook group. In recent week, members are sharing their regrets of not buying a house 2–3 years ago when median costs were low. The interest rates were also manageable. And Airbnbs weren’t causing shelter scarcity in the market.

Here’s what I learned. Permanent or mortgaged housing is always out of reach for most. Rent increases. But most bank sheltering loans have a set repayment rate for over 20+ years.

Houses provide non-taxable value every year. Most people only move because they are renters in search of different accommodations. The average person moves once in 5 years. If you can get a mortgage, go for it. It’s the biggest retirement headache for many.

Imagine closing in on 40 with 25 years to save for retirement while facing rising inflation. The irony? Most people speaking against mortgages are paying one. Do what is best for you long term.

What are the biggest mistakes of millennials earning 40?

Photo by Johannes Krupinski on Unsplash

#1. Everything isn’t always about money.

“Not taking care of my hearing, not even 35 and going deaf.” — Kusanagi8811

I have read a few hearing complaints on his platform. I have some of myself. Like time, once you lose your senses, they never get back to 20/20 levels.

Care for your hearing while you have it. It is great being able to eavesdrop on conversations. It is also great to complain about your loud upstairs neighbors. Compared to the constant ringing in your ears.

Wait before you use louder earphone sounds to block out other noises. Close a window. Put on your hearing protection ear muff and get back to writing.

#2. Valued too late in life.

“Not getting healthy earlier.” — zombiearchivist

You can save time. Only to waste it curled up in a bed somewhere. I bookmark health articles a lot which causes me to start programs and then stop. I am making a new resolution to see through one form of exercise each day. It won’t be easy. But too many of the regrets on this list were health-related.

Photo by Igal Ness on Unsplash

#3. Okay, money matters.

“Staying too long at a job in my 20s, just because it was safe and easy. When I finally got the motivation to leave, I ended up with an almost 50% pay boost.” — Hrekires

Loyalty gets wasted on an employer. They only do what benefits the shareholders. If you can’t become a shareholder, use your experience and savings to serve you.

#4. Put your mask on first.

“Thinking that I could and should put myself on the back burner for anything and anyone else.” — lenalilly227

Take care of yourself first. Get to a stable position, then return around and help people. Your development is worth prioritizing. You can’t blame people for using you when you care about them more than yourself.

Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash

#5. Get your emotions in check.

“Smoking and not dealing with my stuff the right way.” — Allenrw3

I wrote an article about this. It explains why you choose the self-destruct button when feeling very emotional.

Here are the other regrets of millennials cited in Upworthy’s article.

6. “Pining after the wrong person.” — runikepisteme

7. “I turned 40 this year and just started liking who I am. Why did it take 40 years for self acceptance?” — guscallee

8. “Take care of your back. Lift with your knees. Sure it’s rad when you grab a fridge by yourself and lift it in the back of a moving truck unaided, but one day that stuff is going to have consequences that won’t just magically go away by resting and “taking it easy” for a week.” — GuyTallman

9. “I wish I spent more time with my dad while I had the chance.” — CharlieChooper

11. “Not wearing sunscreen.” — blueboxreddress

12. “I’m 37. I absolutely could have taken better care of my body, but I’m in relatively good health. I’m starting to realize how important it is to maintain my health. I do also think I drank far too much in my 20 and early 30’s. I’m trying to rectify that now, but it’s hard.” — dartastic

13. “I’m not sure if people have experienced the same but when I entered my 30s I became convinced I was rapidly running out of time. Rather than using that as motivation I let it paralyze me with indecision because I “couldn’t afford to make the wrong choice.” Consequently, I’m now 39 and, though I’ve had great things happen in my 30s, I regret spending so much time worrying and so little time committing to a course of action.” — tomwaste

14. “Always ask for more pay. Starting, yearly, before leaving, whatever. Get that money.” — SensibleReply

15. “Spending too much time in front of a screen and not enough enjoying life.” — BellaPadella

Thank you for reading!

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Life
This Happened To Me
Life Lessons
Regret
Psychology
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