Anyone who is past the age of 30 will have at least one “young and dumb” moment that will keep their face locked in a cringe for a good few minutes every time they remember it. These regrettable decisions could include vices they experimented with, ill-advised romantic choices, or financial moves that carry long-term repercussions.
You will find a lot of these themes in the following stories you’re about to read. These are candid accounts of women on Reddit who recall the headshake-inducing times of their youth. Just by reading, you can tell some of these still sting today.
Many of these stories may involve sensitive topics, so proceed with caution. And if you feel like sharing your own experiences, feel free to do so in the comments.
#1
Looking for love over learning about myself. So much time on wasted trying to be loved by losers instead of loving me.
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45points
#2
The amount of times I was in situations that horrify me looking back as an adult because I wasn’t taught to say “no” when I was uncomfortable.
37points
#3
Not knowing my worth sooner and sticking it out in some pretty awful relationships. I shouldn’t have stayed as long as I did. I lost years of my life. I’m gaining them back now though!
34points
#4
I wish I had stayed single for most of my young adult life. I would have saved a lot of money and time, and been better off in the long run.
33points
#5
Dating a 30 year-old when I was 18. Now that I’m in my 30’s, I look at 18 year-olds and realize that dude was a creep and a loser.
29points
#6
Not appreciating my body more. I was so obsessed with being thinner and prettier and everything in between. I’m now in my 30s and wish I had realized how great I was and talked more positively to myself.
Lessons learned and even though I’m heavier now than my 30s, I’m loving what my body can do and focusing on feeling healthy and confident rather than trying to be someone I’m not.
Lessons learned and even though I’m heavier now than my 30s, I’m loving what my body can do and focusing on feeling healthy and confident rather than trying to be someone I’m not.
27points
#7
Giving someone a second chance when I already knew the first chance was a mistake.
26points
#8
Not reporting my attacker because he said I’d be the third report of SA against him, sending him to jail. He said it’d be my fault if he went.
26points
#9
40s but I can tell you in my 20s I genuinely tried way too hard to be liked by people I never ever see or hear from anymore. It doesn't matter what anyone thinks, be comfortable with yourself.
25points
#10
I still can't get over the fact that I didn't do a year abroad in uni because of a boyfriend.
24points
#11
People pleasing and pouring everything into everyone but myself. Don't do it.
24points
#13
Running up $6,000 in credit card debit on stupid stuff. Took me forever to pay that off and I don't even want to know how much extra I paid in interest.
20points
#14
The dudes I wasted my time with
The male friends who were just a**holes to me in the name of jokes. The guys I dated who were unkind to me that I took because I thought I loved them.
The male friends who were just a**holes to me in the name of jokes. The guys I dated who were unkind to me that I took because I thought I loved them.
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20points
#15
Should have taken the time to think before getting married.
19points
#16
CIGARETTES, they had a hold on me from 18-25 until I got pregnant.
18points
#17
Getting s**t faced at a bar to the point where I lost all my friends. Got lost sat on a curb and thankfully was picked up by a group of other girls that got me an uber and sent me home. Only to realize I didn’t have keys to get into my apartment. Only friend that picked up was a guy and I slept in their basement. Then they had to take me home the next morning when my roommate was able to let me in. Idk so many moments for things to go badly. Glad it didn’t. But I was stupid and would d*e if I heard my niece or daughter was doing s**t like that .
18points
#18
How I spelt my kid's middle name. It's soooo cringe, I've actually apologized to her she loves it, thinks it's unique and cool, but I d*e inside whenever I have to write it on anything.
18points
#19
Walking home from a night out with my bestie, and we hear Oasis coming from a block of apartments. We start singing along, they notice, and a half dozen nice boys we'd never met before invited us up to drink with them. We did. First thing I did on arriving was slug someone else's open drink.
Ladies, **DO NOT DO THIS**. In another universe we were cut into tiny pieces and never seen again!
Ladies, **DO NOT DO THIS**. In another universe we were cut into tiny pieces and never seen again!
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18points
#20
Letting him get away with hitting me.
17points