Wisdom of Aging: Reflections on Lost Opportunities in My 20s and 30s

As a senior citizen, I reflect on the past and the advice I would give my younger self. While my 20s and 30s were filled with experiences that shaped who I am today, there were certain opportunities that I wish I had seized early on.

Saving Money for Retirement

One of the most crucial lessons I have learned is the importance of saving for retirement. While my career was demanding and often left me with little energy to do fun things with my children, ensuring a stable future was a priority. However, hindsight is 20/20, and now I realize that spending more quality time with my kids would have been invaluable.

Learning a New Language

My journey in language learning began in junior high and college, where I studied French to a decent level, but lacked the conversational skills. If I could go back in time, I would prioritize spending a year in the French House on campus or even doing a junior year abroad. This would have allowed me to immerse myself in the French language and culture, making it easier to converse with my expat cousin in Paris today.

In the summer of 2015, I visited Paris with my cousin Sherry and a group of friends. We all enjoyed the metro ride, shared stories, and marveled at the city's beauty. Here we are, left to right, with Mary Adele from Australia, Neila my lawyer travel buddy, Jacinta from Australia, Udoh Sherry’s husband, Sherry (my expat cousin), and myself in short hair. Parisians are incredibly friendly, and they make the effort to communicate even if you struggle to speak their language.

The No-Regret Zone

While certain choices have had major and disastrous consequences, I have no serious regrets about them. This is because they brought me to where I am today, and that place is just fine. However, if I could go back, I would seize the opportunity to learn another language fluently. Rather than reaching high school level, I would gain the confidence to converse fluently, which would have enhanced my experiences during my visits to France.

Mental Fortitude and Reflection

As I age, I reflect on the past and often find myself wishing I had done more. Yet, I tell myself to stop and seize the moment. This mantra encourages me to take action now, rather than waiting to reflect on what could have been.

Go ahead and make those changes now. Follow the spirit of the French singer Edith Piaf: Non, je ne regrette rien (No, I regret nothing).

Conclusion

In my senior years, I am proud of the person I have become. I would not change anything about my 20s and 30s because they are a composite of all the actions and choices I made. Let us use this wisdom to guide our current and future endeavors, starting now, to create more meaningful experiences for ourselves and those around us.