7 Biggest Regrets Of The Twenties
Recently, I turned 25, and like many people at that age, I went through a bit of a quarter-life crisis. It made me wonder, what do people actually regret most about their twenties? And on the flip side, what do they wish they had done more of?
So, I did a deep dive through Reddit and various online forums, reading hundreds of real experiences from people in their 30s, 40s, and beyond. I compiled the most common themes into a ranked list of the biggest regrets and lessons learned from people reflecting on their twenties.
A saying I like to remind myself of goes something like this (loosely paraphrased):
“A foolish man makes a mistake and never learns from it. A smart man makes a mistake and learns from it. A wise man learns from the mistakes of others.”
And with the power of the internet, we have endless access to the wisdom of others—people who’ve lived through what we’re just now experiencing. So, here’s what I found.
#1 - Not Saving and Investing Enough
By far, the number one regret people shared was not saving or investing early enough.
How often have you heard a 30 or 40-something say, “I wish I’d started my Roth IRA in my twenties”? So many people said they wish they had sacrificed a bit of their lifestyle for a better financial future. Life goes by quickly, and those who didn’t invest early realized just how much time (and compound interest) they missed out on.
For me, this one’s a no-brainer. Thankfully, I’ve been focused on saving and investing since around age 13 or 14. It’s been one of my biggest priorities, and I don’t think it’ll be a major regret when I look back on my twenties.
#2 - Travel (Too Much or Too Little)
The second most common theme was travel, but interestingly, people were split.
Half wished they had traveled more while they had the time and freedom. The other half wished they had traveled less and saved more money. It’s one of those “damned if you do, damned if you don’t” scenarios where either choice can lead to regret later.
Personally, I don’t have a big desire to travel the world. While I think places like Italy or Vietnam would be interesting, travel just isn’t something that excites me right now. My close friend, who’s my age, traveled extensively in his early twenties. He had incredible experiences, but he now regrets the financial consequences, as it set him back several years.
So while travel can be rewarding, it’s worth thinking about what is more important to you.
#3 - Not Building Healthy Habits Early
Another major regret people mentioned was not establishing healthy habits in their twenties. Many said they wished they’d built small, consistent routines. Like exercising regularly, eating better, and taking care of their mental health, before their metabolism and energy levels started to decline.
I’ve started to notice this myself. I can’t eat the way I used to and expect to stay the same weight. This year, I made a conscious effort to cut fast food by over 50%, and I’ve built an exercise routine, biking almost daily in the summer and walking regularly now that it’s getting colder.
These small steps have made a big difference, and I can already see how valuable it’ll be to keep building these habits over time.
#4 - Getting Married Too Young
This one surprised me: getting married too young ranked fourth.
Many people said they wished they’d spent more time experiencing life and figuring themselves out before settling down. They often described it as losing a sense of freedom, missing out on friendships, adventures, or personal growth they could have had before committing to marriage.
Personally, I can understand where they’re coming from. I value my independence a lot, and I can’t picture myself being married at 25. That’s not to say it’s wrong. Plenty of people my age are married and happy, but for me, this stage of life is about learning, and building a foundation for the future.
#5 - Wasting Time
Another big regret was wasting time, on the wrong relationships, meaningless jobs, or just mindless distractions.
Some people felt they’d spent years in relationships or careers that didn’t serve them. Others said they wasted too much time on social media, TV, or endless doom scrolling. And honestly, I think this regret is only going to grow stronger for the next generation.
With apps like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts, it’s easy to lose hours every day without realizing it. Personally, I’ve tried to set boundaries by uninstalling some apps and limiting screen time. I don’t want to look back and realize I wasted my twenties staring at a phone.
#6 - Not Getting Sober (Sooner)
Many people also regretted drinking or partying too much in their twenties. It’s interesting because so many young adults look forward to that part of their twenties, but many older people later say it held them back or caused long-term issues.
I’ve never been into drinking or drugs, and I try to surround myself with people who aren’t either. I’ve seen how easily it can lead down darker paths, and it’s not a lifestyle I want for myself. I understand the appeal in the moment, but it’s clear that for many, the fun doesn’t outweigh the regret later.
#7 - Not Learning a Valuable Skill
The last big regret people mentioned was not learning a skill. Something useful for their career or personal life. Many felt they’d wasted time instead of building abilities that could have improved their income, confidence, or opportunities.
I completely agree with this one. Learning skills has always been a priority for me. When I started a YouTube channel as a teenager, it taught me video editing, a bit of Photoshop, and content creation, all of which led to other opportunities later on. Skills compound over time, and your twenties are the perfect decade to start stacking them.
Final Thoughts: Learning From Others’ Mistakes
If you’re in your twenties (or approaching them), this list is worth reflecting on. Ask yourself:
Which of these areas am I doing well in? And which ones need more attention?
This list isn’t about right or wrong, it’s simply a reflection of what thousands of people said they wish they’d done differently. For me, it’s been eye-opening to read through their experiences. Some of these lessons I feel confident about; others I know I can improve on.
As I move through the rest of my twenties, my goal is simple: to keep learning, growing, and making the most of this decade, so that when I reach my thirties, I can look back with fewer regrets and a stronger foundation for the future.