Ten Things I Wish I Had Done

I don't really like pinpointing and dwelling on regrets, but I just came across a meme on this topic here (which linked back to here) and decided I'd play along. It's sort of in the same spirit of "Ten Things I've Done That You Probably Haven't," with perhaps less accent on the positive, I suppose.

So here's my list... Ten things I wish I'd done (or, in some cases, am glad I did but wish I'd done a bit differently).

1. Spent more weekends traveling and going out to pubs during my semester in Scotland. I was worried about spending too much money, which was a valid concern, but I probably missed out on a lot of cultural learning opportunities and life experiences because of it.

2. Minored in art. For years, I thought I would pursue art in college, but in my senior year of high school, when I decided I wasn't cut out for a career in that field, I abandoned it entirely. Years later I realize that an English degree and a writing-related career would actually be supplemented quite nicely with the design skills and background that an art minor could have provided, and I wish I had considered that at the time.

3. Saved more money in my first years out of college. Where did it all go? I have some thoughts, but it baffles me nonetheless.

4. Started considering a house purchase earlier than I did, and then spent more time looking and budgeting before I felt the pressure of people telling me to "BUY NOW, before interest rates bolt upward!"

5. Reacted to Valentine's Day 1990 somewhat differently than I did.

6. Just outright asked the guy who consumed most of my social time and thoughts my sophomore year of college whether he "liked me liked me" and whether he might like to date me for real, instead of just pseudo-dating me (particularly since everyone we knew thought we were dating anyway).

7. Lived on Grand Avenue (or a neighboring side street) in my mid-20s, instead of in apartment complexes in the suburbs.

8. Learned to ski when I was young enough not to be afraid of velocity, inertia, and gravity and the injury that might result from them.

9. Appreciated my piano lessons.

10. Taken more chances.

Probably several of the items on the list (as well as other regrets and doubts not on the list) can actually be traced to that last one. Luckily, however, it's one I can still work on, I suppose.