What better way to learn than from those who have
been there and done that? A Reddit thread recently had people chiming in
on things they regret doing (or not doing) in their 30s. Whether you are
about to embark on the exciting journey of your 30s or nearing the tail
end, learn from those in the know.
1. The shoulds
You’ll feel societal pressures in your 30s more than ever before, but
don’t let the shoulds hold it back. You may constantly worry about how
you should own a home, you should have kids, you should be married, or
you should have a steady career. Drop all those expectations, and live
life the way that makes you the happiest. Don’t feel like a failure just
because your life happens to deviate from the norm — you’ve got one life
to live, so live it your way.
2. Not spending time with parents
One common regret that many people in their 30s have is not spending
time with their parents while they are young enough to actively
participate. Simple pleasures like taking a walk, traveling, or even
having a conversation may be harder to come by once your parents age.
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3. Putting work first
Something to keep in your mind in your 30s: if you put work first,
you’re going to regret it. Spend time with people you love, because
those are precious moments that money and moving up the ladder can’t
beat.
4. Spending time on negativity
And you thought those negative people would disappear from your life in
your 30s. Nope, there may be some hanging around, so don’t waste time on
them. Watch out for people who don’t make you feel good about yourself,
and reevaluate your relationships with them. Be careful of spending time
on negative thoughts and issues that you have no control over. Just.
Let. It. Go.
5. Thinking your 30s was old
“I’m too old for this!” may be a common phrase you use in your 30s. You
know what? You’re not. And I bet people in their 50s and 60s will agree.
The world was your oyster in your 20s, and it still is. Take a chance,
live, and enjoy life as the young’un you are, and never lose that child
in you.
6. Not putting yourself first
Maybe you’re putting everyone else first in your life but you. Snap out
of it! Know that once you put yourself first, everything else can fall
into place. Putting your needs first will make you a happy camper, which
will result in better relationships — a win-win. When you take care of
yourself, you’ll have fewer regrets in your 30s. The partner your life
revolved around? You probably won’t regret that as much if you had
focused on your needs and chased your dreams as well.
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7. Not taking better care of your body
It’s quite the paradox — you say you’re too old for something, and yet
you still keep the junk-food-fueled and antiexercise habits of the
younger you. Those habits are harder to drop, but treat your body right
early, or it’ll catch up with you before you know it.
8. Not taking chances
Maybe you’re overly cautious at this age and perhaps it’s the shoulds we
mentioned earlier that are holding you back. Don’t play it safe, and
live a little.
9. Not saving and investing enough
This seems to be a huge, huge regret that a lot of 30-year-olds carry.
If you start saving earlier, you’ll be reaping bigger rewards by the
time you retire. And if you don’t put off saving and investing in your
30s, you’ll be more likely to retire at the age you want.
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10. Not traveling enough
The world is at your fingertips, so take off on a travel adventure!
Don’t keep procrastinating and putting this off — it’ll be harder to
make time for travel as you get older. Get inspired by this list of the
10 most beautiful travel adventures.
11. Caring too much about what others think
It seems we’re guilty of this at every age. Don’t waste more time on
this useless habit in your 30s. Stop investing time and energy into
caring about what people who don’t care about you think. The ones who do
care for you will accept you as you are. |