“Three Things I Really Regret Doing in My 20s” – A Retiree’s Reflection
Janet Blaser, a retired expat living in Mazatlán, Mexico, speaks about her reflections and regrets from her earlier life in California in a recent interview. Having spent five years in retirement, Janet reflects on how moving away allowed her to change her lifestyle, introduced her to a serene setting, and gave her time to reflect on what is truly essential in life.
At the age of 67, Janet, like many retirees, has been able to ruminate on the choices she made and if she would have done things differently. She admits that this reflection has led to a lot of valuable insights that she can now use in her later life.
Her main regrets are not thinking enough about the future, not always being present, and not trusting her passion when she was younger.
Not Thinking about the Future Enough
Janet talks about how she never really thought about finances in her younger days. She attributes this attitude partially to her Italian immigrant father, who expected her to run a household and didn’t provide her with any financial education. She reflects on her parents’ parenting methods and the tools they had, and doesn’t entirely blame them.
Nonetheless, she can’t help but wonder what her life would look like now if she had invested just $1,000 or saved $50 a month 40 years ago. Janet recognizes the value of saving and investing early and insists that even a little savings could have made a difference.
Not Always Being in the Moment
After having had three children, Janet admits that she regrets not spending enough time with her kids during their growing years due to various responsibilities at hand. Moreover, she wished she had focused more on her children as individuals rather than just chores she had to take care of.
Not Trusting Her Passions
Janet reflects on how societal norms and expectations impacted her career choices. Although she was good at writing, she chose to pursue other fields and didn’t embrace her ability. However, she eventually realized her passion for writing and found success as a journalist later in life.
Janet’s reflections serve as a lesson for the younger generation, encouraging people to think about the future, be present, and trust their innate skills and passions. Her story is a testament to the importance of making sound financial decisions, being present, and pursuing one’s true passion regardless of age.
