25 Things That Cast A Shadow On People’s 20s

Ageing is a funny thing. We learn to cater to ourselves over time and how to avoid things that will not serve us. We learn harsh lessons about the world, its people and our role in that world. It’s hard to see our life objectively while in the thick of things, but hindsight sets in as time passes, and that is an unavoidable task-master. For most folks, their 20s are the most intense learning period, while others may find it's their 30s or even their 40s. Recently, an interesting discussion occurred on Reddit when one user asked, “How did you “waste” your 20s?” From corporate ladder climbing to falling in love with the wrong person, Netizens were quick to share what they would choose to do differently if they had a second chance. 

#1 Wasted mine by having a poor body image and low self-esteem when I was actually thin and in shape.

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#2 I married my first boyfriend. We were not a good match. I basically k*lled my body and mental health trying to be enough for him. I’m 30 now, about 4 years divorced, wayyy happier and learning what I want in life and learning who I want to be.

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#3 Waiting for a guy to propose and not pursuing a PhD.

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#4 Went from going out drinking as much as possible to literally working 330+ days a year. Turns out you only have friends when you’re the fun guy lol.

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#5 Caring what people thought of me.

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#6 As a slave to the Jehovah's Witnesses cult.

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#7 My job took me around the world in my 20s. I got to travel to some pretty cool places and a lot of not so cool places. I got to hang with locals and see a lot of things tourists never saw. It was a cool experience.

Image source: slider728, cottonbro studio / Pexels The problem was I was a heavy drinker at that point in my life. Instead of using what little free time I had to see and learn about where I was at and see the sites I was focused on drinking and strip clubs. Yes we did go see some things and do cool s**t, but I could’ve done so much more. I passed up on opportunities to see things while I was traveling to spend time in dank, smelly bars or strip clubs where pathetic guys like me were drooling over women.

#8 Trying to believe I’d be a professional musician.

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#9 Spent way too much time worrying about the future instead of enjoying the present.

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#10 Got a woman I barely liked pregnant, married her out of obligation and marriage was terrible and only lasted 3 months, worked s**t jobs to provide for my boy, got put on child support, got depressed, got fat, dreams went down the toilet, now I'm fat, old and poor.

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#11 Being with friends who don't have a care for their future or their well-being. Choose you company well OP.

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#12 Studying a degree i never used. 4 years at Uni, 2 years doing a masters and a ton of debt.

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#13 I have stayed for a company that doesn't value my work and contribution to them, I have wasted a lot of opportunity because of that, I myself have to blame for it too I didn't have the courage to explore and try something new for my growth and development.

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#14 In a toxic relationship and not understanding how to invest in myself. I’m still working on the second part.

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#15 Staying in my bedroom, playing video game instead of living. Started when I was 18, i will be 26 in 8 days and im still living like this.

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#16 Drifting from one low-paying dead-end blue-collar job to another.

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#17 Caring for others and always putting them first. I came 3rd or 4th or 5th. Everything suffered. Everyone took advantage.

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#18 Not exactly wasted, but all I did was work, go home, sleep and repeat. Lost 95% of my friends, was a virgin all through my 20's . Now, 3 years past my 20's . I have a stable job, own my own house, but I am also one of the most introverted people I know, and that doesn't help with being single.

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#19 Falling in love with a narcissist abusive piece of s**t that was my snitch for being involved in his crimes. Spent 4 years of my life in jail. Lost time I’ll never get back.

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#20 Laziness. Started getting my s**t together at 25, but I still feel perpetually behind at 30.

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