facebook icon

What’s Your Biggest Regret?

When I read about Daniel Pink’s latest endeavor, I was eager to participate. His one question: What’s your biggest regret?

I didn’t have to think long about this one. My biggest regret, I wrote, is not taking a gap year after graduating high school. To be fair, it wasn’t really a thing back in 1981. I was programmed, along with everyone else, to move steadily from one achievement to another—high school to college to grad school to career to marriage to kids.

When I hear of someone my age who consciously chose to deviate from these purported steppingstones to success, I’m impressed. Impressed that they defied the norm and withstood the pressure from family or peers or society.

I wonder how my life would have turned out had I taken that gap year. I was so lost and fearful at 17 and needed time to find myself and ask those big existential questions: Who am I? Where do I belong? What is the meaning of my life?

That regret has fueled my desire in midlife to ask those very questions. To get clear on who I am and what I want for the rest of my life. I’ve got a second chance and I’m not wasting it. Call it a second adolescence.

YOUR TURN: What do you wish you’d asked yourself when you were in your teens or 20s? Why not ask now?

 

Want to learn how to THRIVE

in your next chapter?

Grab your FREE training and discover the 5 MUSTS to a joyful and fulfilling next chapter, along with EASY STEPS you can begin taking today to put these MUSTS into practice.

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

My favorite website for clothing finds!

My favorite website for clothing finds!

In my teens and twenties, I used to love spending a leisurely afternoon at the mall. I would go from store to store, browsing the latest fashions, trying on clothing, and purchasing a selection of affordable items that my limited salary would allow. I'd usually stop...

Road Rage

Road Rage

My husband gets annoyed at cars driving slowly in front of us. Sometimes I do too. But I remind him (and myself): What if this was your elderly mother in that car, unsure of where she's going? Or your daughter, when she was learning to drive? We both also get miffed...

I’m Hélène Stelian, the Midlife Mentor with a passion for facilitating personal development in women 40+. Through my THRIVE Courses, I help introspective, curious, action-oriented women 40+ deepen their journeys of self-discovery and growth—and create their next chapter with courage and intention.

Follow Me

Disclaimer

I am happy to bring you valuable content and resources free of charge. In order to do this, please note that if you decide to make a purchase through my link, Amazon will pay me a commission for it. This does not cost you anything additional. Thank you!

Pin It on Pinterest