20 Things You Will Regret If You Don’t Act NOW

Just 1 or 2 of these things can cause you major regrets.

A close-up of a man with a beard and a furrowed brow looking downward. The lighting casts an orange hue on one side of his face, highlighting his contemplative or serious expression. He is wearing a black shirt and the background is blurred.

You only have a limited amount of time in this life. As an adult, you have no doubt found that you have less time for things, more responsibilities, and bigger issues on your plate.

That’s why you can’t waste the time that you’re given.

If you do, you will end up looking back on that lost time with regret because you could have been more passionately pursuing something that was right for you.

Here are 20 things you will come to regret unless you take action now.

1. Not setting and enforcing boundaries.

A person with short hair and wearing a striped shirt and denim shorts sits barefoot on a wooden suspension bridge. They are resting their arms on their knees and looking outwards, surrounded by lush green vegetation.

Boundaries are one brick in the healthy foundation of relationships. As the saying goes, you teach other people how to treat you by what you tolerate. Boundaries separate the tolerable from the intolerable.

2. Neglecting your social and professional network.

A man with short blond hair and a serious expression is seated in a brightly lit room. He is wearing a white shirt layered with a light beige jacket. A white bed with patterned pillows is visible in the background against a white brick wall.

People need other people. It may be in your personal life when you’re lonely. It could be in your professional life where you need a network for opportunities. Either way, having people in your life is invaluable.

3. Spending your time with the wrong people.

Two women are sitting at a table across from each other. The woman on the left, with dark hair, appears stressed, holding her hands to her temples. The woman on the right, with blonde hair, has her back to the camera. They are indoors, near large windows.

Every minute that you spend your time with the wrong people, you’re missing the opportunity to be with the right people. Frankly, being alone is better than being with the wrong people because the wrong people can leave you with lasting problems, like being in a bad relationship that traumatizes you for future relationships.

4. Not prioritizing your loved ones.

A woman with glasses kisses a smiling child on the cheek while holding them in her arms on a busy street. The child is giggling and wearing a blue hoodie. In the background, there are several people walking and a no parking sign is visible.

There are opportunities you won’t get back. You won’t see your kids grow up more than once. You won’t be able to attend that important thing your spouse wants you to. Be warned that people tend to interpret a lack of priority as a lack of care. You need to be there whenever possible.

5. Not telling people how you really feel.

A man with curly hair and a reddish shirt and a woman with shoulder-length blonde hair and a mustard yellow shirt smile warmly at each other while sitting on a couch. They appear happy and engaged in a light-hearted conversation.

The longer you wait to tell people how you really feel, the more time you waste on things that aren’t right for you. You create opportunities and close doors that aren’t meant for you by expressing yourself and your feelings.

6. Comparing yourself to others.

A woman with a thoughtful and slightly melancholic expression gazes out of a window. She rests her arms on the windowsill, leaning her head on them. Sunlight illuminates her face, creating a soft, introspective mood.

Everyone is running their own race. It doesn’t matter how far ahead or behind you think you are with another person. Your life is your own. Measure it by your own goals and effort.

7. Staying in bad situations.

A woman with curly hair sits in a modern wire chair, resting her head in one hand with a distressed expression. She is wearing a dark sweater and jeans, in a room with neutral tones and a large green plant in the corner.

If you stay in a bad situation, you’re not only losing opportunities for right situations, but you’re harming your mental health. Whether it’s a job you hate or a relationship where you’re not loved, you don’t have to stay there.

8. Never leaving your comfort zone.

A person wearing glasses, a gray blazer, white shirt, jeans, and white shoes is lying on a wooden bench, with hands behind their head and legs crossed, relaxing outdoors on a sunny day. Green grass and a paved walkway are seen in the background.

A comfort zone is a limiter of your true potential. You can’t grow when you safely stay in it. You have to step outside of it and take risks if you want to fully explore your life.

9. Being stuck in your head all the time.

A man with medium-length hair and a beard sits pensively on a wooden bench, resting his chin on his clasped hands. He wears a black leather jacket and looks off into the distance with a thoughtful expression. The background is blurred and features soft natural light.

Many people waste their time mourning a past that is gone or agonizing about the future. Develop the skills to let those things go so you can enjoy the present moment that you’ll never get back.

10. Not planning for your future.

A young man with light brown hair, wearing a red jacket and a pair of sunglasses hanging from his shirt, is standing inside a bus, holding an overhead handrail. He is looking ahead with a thoughtful expression. The bus interior and other passengers are visible.

Do plan for your future. You don’t want to waste your time living in fear and anxiety of it, but you do want to plan accordingly. A lack of planning means less freedom and choice when you get there.

11. Being financially illiterate.

A person with long dark hair in a ponytail, wearing glasses, a white shirt, and a black blazer, holds several US dollar bills in one hand while scratching their head with the other. The background is a solid light green color. The person appears puzzled.

Money is an important part of our lives, yet financial literacy is low. Learn how to budget, to save, and when to spend. That way you’ll have money for the things that matter.

12. Neglecting your spiritual needs.

A woman wearing a pink sweater and a beige apron holds a paintbrush as she stands in front of an easel in an art studio. She is mixing colors on a palette. The walls are adorned with various colorful paintings, creating a vibrant and creative atmosphere.

Spirituality doesn’t necessarily mean divine. In mental health, it represents all the intangible things that make you who you are and provide fulfillment. Do you love the satisfaction of painting or writing? That is a spiritual fulfillment. Anything that provides joy that is intangible could be considered spiritual. Do more of those things.

13. Dishonoring your personal beliefs.

A woman with long, blonde hair and dressed in a brown dress over a black top stands pensively against a brick wall. She gazes off to the side with a thoughtful expression. The background features another brick building and greenery.

Sometimes it’s hard to stand up for what you really believe in, but if you don’t, you will find that you regret it later. You will have missed the opportunity to stand up for yourself, for others, and do what you feel is right.

14. Ignoring your intuition.

A woman with shoulder-length brown hair leans against a white wall, looking thoughtful and concerned. She is wearing a blue blouse and has her hands clasped in front of her chin. The background is softly lit with a neutral tone.

People think of intuition in multiple ways. Some people feel it is a spiritual attunement while others think it is your brain subconsciously picking up on cues around you. Whatever the answer, your intuition can help guide you in the right direction if you listen.

15. Sidelining your passions.

A man in a blue tank top and white shorts, wearing sunglasses and earphones, looks back while running on a sandy beach under a clear sky. The beach has scattered rocks, footprints, and cliffs in the background.

A passion provides emotional and spiritual fulfillment. That doesn’t mean you need to turn it into a side hustle or source of income. It also doesn’t mean you need to be good at it. If it’s your interest, it’s worth exploring whether you’re good at it or not.

16. Not traveling (if you want to).

A person wearing a backpack and a red beanie stands in a wide-open, arid landscape with arms outstretched, giving a peace sign with one hand. Snow-capped mountains are visible in the background under a clear blue sky.

Not everyone wants to travel, and that’s okay. Generally speaking, the younger you can do it, the better. Younger people generally have less responsibility, less commitment, and more time to dedicate to travel. As you get older, it’s harder to drop everything to leave for a week or two, or more.

17. Neglecting your physical health.

Eat right, sleep right, exercise, and maintain regular doctor appointments. These things can be hard, but they will help you live a long and healthy life. The best time to start is today.

18. Not taking care of your mental health.

The quality of your mental health often translates to your quality of life. There are professionals out there who can help you heal your wounds and improve. Personal growth helps you become the best version of you that you can be.

19. Not making time for fun and enjoyment.

Two people are playing foosball in a bright room. The person on the right is smiling and raising their fist in celebration, while the person on the left has their hands on their hips and looks focused. There is a bike and a plant in the background.

Life can’t be all toil. It’s necessary to regularly take time for rest and relaxation. Granted, it may not be that simple for everyone, but it is something you do need. Without it, you’ll burn out and not be able to do anything to the degree in which you’d like.

20. Living inauthentically.

A man in a suit sits on a bed in a dimly lit room, illuminated by a combination of blue and pink lights. He is looking down at his smartphone, giving an impression of deep focus or contemplation. A floor lamp glows softly in the background.

To live authentically is to live in tune with who you are with no apologies for it. It’s to honor your personal beliefs, embrace your personal strengths and weaknesses, and be the person that is uniquely you. It doesn’t matter who likes it or not. By not honoring yourself, you sacrifice your own happiness and peace of mind.