When I look back on my thirties, I see a whirlwind of ambition, curiosity, and a fair bit of restlessness. I was juggling career growth, raising a family, and trying to find out who I really was—often all at once.

Now that I’m in my sixties, I can’t help but reflect on the things I might’ve done differently.

It’s not about wallowing in regret but about sharing what I’ve learned so that maybe you can avoid some of the pitfalls that caught me (and many of my peers) off guard.

So let’s dive into the seven big ones. I hope these reflections will help you make more confident choices during your own journey.

1. Worrying too much about others’ opinions

Have you ever caught yourself thinking, “What will they say if I do this?” I used to ask myself that all the time when I was in my thirties.

Back then, I was so focused on being perceived as successful, smart, and likable that I let others’ judgments influence decisions that should have been mine alone—everything from my career path to the clothes I wore.

It took me years to realize how paralyzing that mindset can be. As Winston Churchill once said, “You will never reach your destination if you stop and throw stones at every dog that barks.”

Sure, it’s figurative (no actual dog-harming here, I promise), but the message remains powerful: constantly worrying about other people’s critiques keeps you from focusing on your own path.

Life has enough challenges without letting external voices be the loudest in your head.

In hindsight, I see that I wasted a lot of precious time and energy on small worries—what my colleagues thought of me, whether distant acquaintances might disapprove of my choices, and so on.

Now I remind myself that people will always have opinions, and half the time they’re not even paying attention to what you’re doing. Better to live by your own moral compass than try to meet everyone else’s expectations.

2. Neglecting physical health

I was never a junk-food fiend, but in my thirties, exercise and balanced meals took a back seat to office deadlines and quick fixes.

I was too busy chasing goals to schedule regular workouts or cook proper meals. It felt easier to grab a fast-food sandwich between meetings than to plan anything healthier.

Here’s the thing: health issues have a sneaky way of showing up later in life. A friend of mine who’s a few years older used to say, “Invest in your body now or pay for it tenfold down the road.”

And I’m sad to report that those words turned out to be true. The knee pain, the sudden shortness of breath after a flight of stairs—these are small signals that remind me I should’ve taken better care of myself when I was younger.

The good news is it’s never too late to turn things around.

If you’ve been putting off that yoga class or evening walk, do it. Make it fun. Bring your dog, meet a friend, or download a fitness app—whatever helps you stay consistent.

Your future self will thank you a hundred times over for making the effort now.

3. Overlooking the importance of financial security

In my thirties, I thought I had all the time in the world to sort out my finances. Retirement felt like a distant concept—something I’d get to “when life settled down.”

Trouble is, life never really settles down. It’s a constant juggling act, and financial planning can’t always wait.

Many folks in my age group say they wish they’d started saving and investing earlier.

It’s not just about big stock-market plays or buying real estate; it’s also about everyday habits like budgeting, building an emergency fund, and learning to live below your means.

As Bill Gates famously noted, “Most people overestimate what they can do in one year and underestimate what they can do in ten years.” That applies perfectly to personal finance.

Small, consistent savings can snowball over a decade or two into a comforting cushion.

If I could rewind the clock, I’d grab a good book on basic investing and spend more time educating myself. Whether it’s a 401(k), Roth IRA, or real estate, the key is understanding your options early.

Taking small but steady steps can lead to big gains over time—and big relief when you’re older.

4. Sweeping mental health under the rug

Too often, we treat mental well-being as optional or secondary. When I was younger, I chalked up stress, anxiety, and burnout to the “normal hustle” of adulthood.

I’d say, “I’m just tired” or “I’ll be fine after a vacation,” without really probing what might be causing the deeper sense of unease.

A study I came across in my forties (published by the American Psychological Association) highlighted how chronic stress in your younger years can lead to a heightened risk of mental health conditions as you age.

And let me tell you, ignoring stress does not make it magically disappear. It accumulates. Next thing you know, you’re in your fifties, wondering why you never developed better coping mechanisms.

I’m not a therapist—and I won’t pretend I have all the answers—but I wish I’d been more proactive. Talking to a counselor, leaning on trusted friends, or even picking up a mindfulness practice could have done me a world of good.

It’s never a sign of weakness to acknowledge you’re struggling. In fact, it’s one of the bravest things you can do.

5. Letting fear stifle personal growth

Fear can be a powerful motivator—but more often, it’s an invisible chain that keeps us stuck. I spent much of my thirties worried about the “what-ifs.”

What if I fail at a new job? What if I start a side business and it flops? So instead, I stuck to my comfort zone.

If you’re a regular reader here at Global English Editing, you may remember I once touched on the idea of challenging your comfort zone and learning to embrace discomfort for growth.

Looking back, I wish I’d taken bigger leaps sooner. I’ve learned that failure is rarely fatal; it’s a springboard for deeper self-awareness.

And once you push past that initial terror, you often realize it wasn’t as scary as you built it up to be.

Brené Brown, a researcher I admire, once wrote, “Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen.” And she’s right—most people regret the chances they didn’t take more than the times they failed.

If you’ve got a dream, whether personal or professional, start chipping away at it. Fear will always be there, but it doesn’t have to run the show.

6. Not investing enough time in relationships

In our thirties, many of us are consumed by careers, young families, or both.

It’s easy to lose touch with old friends, skip family gatherings, or limit our connections to the workplace. Before we know it, a decade flies by, and we wonder why we feel isolated or disconnected.

I’ve learned that supportive relationships don’t just spring up out of nowhere; they require consistent effort and genuine care.

Maybe it’s a weekly phone call with a sibling, a monthly coffee date with an old friend, or a spontaneous chat with a neighbor. These small moments are the glue that holds our social fabric together.

When I retired and had more time to reflect, it struck me how crucial community and close relationships are for emotional well-being.

It’s not just about having someone to chat with over Sunday lunch—it’s about building a network of people who celebrate your victories and stand by you during the tough times.

I sometimes take my grandkids to the park with Lottie (my beloved dog), and I’m reminded that the simplest interactions—like playing catch or sharing ice cream—often create the strongest bonds.

7. Underestimating the power of self-reflection

It’s easy in your thirties to think, “I’ll figure out who I am later.” The daily grind takes over, and personal introspection lands at the bottom of the to-do list. But time doesn’t slow down just because you’re not looking inward.

What I realized in my fifties is that regular self-reflection can shift your entire trajectory.

Asking questions like, “Am I really happy with this job?” or “Does this relationship align with my values?” can feel uncomfortable at first, but it’s how you course-correct before you’re too far down a path that doesn’t fulfill you.

The Stoic philosopher Seneca once said, “As is a tale, so is life: not how long it is, but how good it is, is what matters.”

That “goodness” often hinges on alignment with your core principles and desires—things you can only uncover by pausing and taking stock.

Maybe you do that through journaling, talking to a mentor, or simply going for a walk alone each evening to mull over the day’s events.

Final thoughts

I can’t say I have it all figured out, but I do know that regrets often spring from the things we neglect when we’re busy living life on autopilot.

Trust me, life is already full of surprises—you don’t need to add unexamined regrets to the pile.

So here’s my question for you: Which of these regrets hits home, and what small step can you take today to avoid it turning into a bigger regret tomorrow?

It doesn’t have to be monumental—maybe it’s starting that journal, calling an old friend, or scheduling a medical check-up you’ve put off. Every little step counts.

And remember, you’re not alone; many of us have walked this path and found ways to make the next chapter brighter.

If I could pass on one piece of wisdom, it’s that the path to fewer regrets often begins with one honest moment of self-awareness. The rest tends to follow from there.