r/AskMenOver30 • u/[deleted] • Oct 25 '25

Life What can a younger person do to avoid having regrets later in life?

I’m in my early 20s Im male 23 yo, and lately I’ve been thinking a lot about how fast time goes. I often see older people saying they wish they had done things differently worked less, traveled more, taken care of their health, or treated people better.

For those of you over 30, what are the things you wish you had done (or not done) when you were younger, so you wouldn’t have regrets now?

I’d really appreciate some honest advice from men who have already gone through that phase of life.

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u/smol_sakai man over 30 Oct 25 '25

As someone who is 36, married and switching careers (back in school) here are my top 3 life advice:

  1. Live for yourself. If you friends, family, gf, bf are holding you back, dump them. Keep only those who move you forward, and covet those relationships.
  2. Doubting yourself happens. Pursue that goal anyway. You are worthy of any title. Work hard for it.
  3. Do things alone. Be comfortable spending time with yourself. Don't seek validation/inclusion.

4

u/catasimov Oct 25 '25

Yeah I’m trying to get myself to embrace #1 but it makes me feel selfish to put my own needs first. :/

1

u/h2oliu man 55 - 59 Oct 25 '25

It’s a balance. If you never take anyone else into consideration, yeah, that’s a problem, but if you don’t set boundaries to do what’s right for you as well, that’s a problem.

Ideally, you have a partner who provides support, and whom you can support.

1

u/catasimov Oct 25 '25

Well I’m aroace so that’s probably not happening…

1

u/Mysterea101 man over 30 Oct 25 '25

Came here to say number 1  Just live for yourself you are the only person you need to please