Kate Hackett
One of the weirdest myths about millennials is that we’re all still 22. We aren’t. We’re rapidly approaching 40 years old and at this point, a lot of us have some serious problems under our belts. We’ve had big breakups, even divorces, we’ve had kids, we’ve tried and failed over and over again. You know, just like every generation that has ever generated.
Recently a deleted user asked Reddit “Millennials of Reddit now nearing your 40s, what were your biggest mistakes at this point in life?” Here are some of the best replies.
1. Those loud concerts
Not taking care of my hearing, not even 35 and going deaf
2. Get healthy
Not getting healthy earlier.
3. Staying too long
Staying too long at a job in my 20s, just because it was safe and easy. When I finally got the motivation to leave, ended up with an almost 50% pay boost.
4. Backburner
Thinking that I could and should put myself on the back burner for anything and anyone else.
5. Be better
Smoking and not dealing with my shit the right way.
6. So much wasted time
Pining after the wrong person.
7. Just the wrong path
Going to university and majoring in business, numerous poor investments in now defunct companies and businesses and not taking care of my health while younger
8. Missed 20s
Selling drugs while I was in the Army. Got me thrown in prison for a couple years. Restarting life and missing a big chunk of your 20s isn’t great. 0/10 do not recommend.
9. Self acceptance
I turned 40 this year and just started liking who I am. Why the fuck did it take 40 years for self acceptance?
10. Take care of yourself
Take care of your fucking back. Lift with your knees. Sure its rad when you grab a fridge by yourself and lift it in the back of a moving truck unaided, but one day that shit is going to have consequences that won’t just magically go away by resting and “taking it easy” for a week.
11. Spend time with loved ones
I wish I spent more time with my dad while I had the chance.
12. Nothing saved
Not saving enough for retirement and not going to college. I have been a stay at home mom for 7 years now and have nothing saved for my own retirement. I have a highschool degree and cosmetology license but that’s it. If my husband left me I’d be fucked because I wouldn’t make shit doing hair(when I quit working I was a manager/stylist and only brought in 50k a year plus hours were awful all nights and weekends not great for a family since there is no night or weekend daycares). At this point I want to go back to school but not sure how to even do it. It’s also expensive and I need someone to watch the kids. I feel stuck. Wish I’d not gone to cosmetology school and instead got a 4 year degree then I could have kept working when I had kids since I’d have a job that could pay for daycare and had better hours! I guess at least my husband bust his ass and makes good money and is saving for retirement but I feel like I should be contributing.
13. Running out of time
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.
14. Grad school
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. So that I guess.
Although honestly? My only real regret/mistake in my life is going back to grad school in 2010. I felt trapped by getting laid off twice and not being able to find any work. I was debt free, but I really felt forced into going back to school to try and make something of myself. It was either that, become homeless, or figure out how to move back in with my parents. Now I have over 100k in debt because my 60k grad loan has ballooned due to interest rates and forbearance because once again, I couldn’t find a decent job upon graduation. Student loans are a fucking racket.
15. Work to live
40 already. Born in 81 so I think I just make the millennial cut.
Work to live, don’t live to work.
You have half your working life after you turn 40 but only 20-25 years to really live it up before the responsibilities become heavy and your joints start to ache. Live life. Really LIVE it. Experience as much you can. Every sensation, sight, sound, touch. Be open. Be brave. Live your first few decades in the fast lane. You have the rest of your life to take it easy, when you have no choice.
16. Buy a house
Should have bought a home. We qualified 20 years ago for enough to buy a small 2 bedroom but I didn’t think we could afford it. That 2 bedroom would be worth nearly 3Xs and paid off by now. We pay nearly double in rent what our mortgage would have been. Gotta love the SF bay area cost of living.
17. Decisions
I wish I’d been able to make important decisions – like going to uni – much later in life. Its been nearly 20 years since I left uni and I still haven’t used my degree. I didn’t go to graduation or pick up the certificate. In fact, I still owe £10 in library fines.
18. Go to the doctor
Try not to get cancer. If you feel unwell go to the dr.
I felt numbness in my fingers and toes. . Let that go for a few months. It turned to arm Pain. Went to hospital and it turns out I have stage 4 renal carcinoma.
Don’t let any symptom go unchecked. You’re older, and if your body is telling you something is wrong fucking listen to it.
19. Invest it
If I could tell my 18 year old self one thing, it would be to save 10% of every paycheck I ever got.
20. Staying too long
Staying too long in an unhappy marriage. I lost the last half of my 20s and most of my 30s because of it.
