What are your biggest early 20s regrets?
Discussion
I'm 22 and in a similar situation, really not sure what to do.
Been working since 16, and a decent (ish) salary for my age and have a good chunk saved up, although I did expect to have a business empire and be a multi-millionaire by now which hasn't quite happened!
I have the strong possibility of a good promotion soon which will look great on my CV, but I am getting increasingly tempted to just go off for a few months. At the moment thinking of heading off to France for 3 months, maybe another 3 in Italy, see where we go. But then what will I do when I get back?
Maybe it's part of the problem of living in Watford, but then, this is where my friends are.
Been working since 16, and a decent (ish) salary for my age and have a good chunk saved up, although I did expect to have a business empire and be a multi-millionaire by now which hasn't quite happened!
I have the strong possibility of a good promotion soon which will look great on my CV, but I am getting increasingly tempted to just go off for a few months. At the moment thinking of heading off to France for 3 months, maybe another 3 in Italy, see where we go. But then what will I do when I get back?
Maybe it's part of the problem of living in Watford, but then, this is where my friends are.
Steve7777 said:
I wouldn't move out of your parents in Sheffield just to get a flat in Sheffield. My biggest regret is I didn't start moving countries earlier. It sounds like you could do your job pretty much anywhere so if you can find a company to sponsor a move to California definitely do that. You could be 22 with a decent job in California, a Mustang in your garage and Tinder on your phone. What are you waiting for?
Sounds fairly ideal that does. i graduated aged 22 and went straight into employment as i was flat broke. at 25 i bought a dilapidated house which took the next 4.5 years and all my cash to renovate properly. at 31 [3yrs ago] i became an expat and have no real plans to return.
if i could go back and change anything i would have left the UK on graduation. my 20s were difficult and in some ways i feel like i only really became myself when i emigrated.
still, i'd not have been with the women i have, and wouldn't change that despite being single currently.
if i were the OP i would become single. its clear from your post that you are only with here as there's nothing better. sad situation for her.
if i could go back and change anything i would have left the UK on graduation. my 20s were difficult and in some ways i feel like i only really became myself when i emigrated.
still, i'd not have been with the women i have, and wouldn't change that despite being single currently.
if i were the OP i would become single. its clear from your post that you are only with here as there's nothing better. sad situation for her.
Vocal Minority said:
clonmult said:
I had a chance of some indecently paid contract development work around europe in my mid 20s. I still can't figure out why I turned it down.
Indecently paid? Sounds intriguing....The actual job itself would have involved me getting a 500% pay rise (which would have increased to about 700% after 6 months).
I'm also 22 you are doing a lot better salary wise than me - where do I get a 30k Windows Engineer job in the North?
In the process of trying to get my software dev skills up and hoping to get into contracting or a decent wage and move down to London.
I try not to overthink things, get my head down at work and visit different friends at various Unis on the weekend.
Aged 17-19 I toured America (x2) and Europe, from 19 I have pretty much just worked (no college quals etc) but I'm looking at travelling more again.
I'm not sure whether it's best to make a plan and stick to it, or work hard and take the opportunities that come up.. perhaps a mixture of both.
I would say your situation is a LOT better than others your age.
In the process of trying to get my software dev skills up and hoping to get into contracting or a decent wage and move down to London.
I try not to overthink things, get my head down at work and visit different friends at various Unis on the weekend.
Aged 17-19 I toured America (x2) and Europe, from 19 I have pretty much just worked (no college quals etc) but I'm looking at travelling more again.
I'm not sure whether it's best to make a plan and stick to it, or work hard and take the opportunities that come up.. perhaps a mixture of both.
I would say your situation is a LOT better than others your age.
take your chances and play the risks.
I got a job when I was 21 or so working IT for a bank in 2001.
Did that for 5 years and was going nowhere so decided to move.
Moved to london in 2006 with GF at the time and took a risk and moved internally
Split with said GF 2 weeks after moving.
Jumped ship from safe job to work for Investment IT after 10 months of moving to London, whilst studying what the skills I needed were, ignored everyone saying I couldn't do it.
Bought property in London in 2007 in a place that I can never afford now.
Got made redundant 2 months after buying said property.
worked s
tty jobs for 4 months, then moved to contracting for banks.
contracting dried up late 2011
worked on my own stuff for a year, setup 2 companies, one was a bust... other one still going, then shattered my leg and left house bound for 6 months.
got back into consulting in 2013 and still there.
Company I worked very hard for is now going to turn a decent profit.
So had ups and downs, but Im still here and loving every minute of it, I get calls every day asking me to go back into contracting, but my current job and running my own company is enough at the moment.
I got a job when I was 21 or so working IT for a bank in 2001.
Did that for 5 years and was going nowhere so decided to move.
Moved to london in 2006 with GF at the time and took a risk and moved internally
Split with said GF 2 weeks after moving.
Jumped ship from safe job to work for Investment IT after 10 months of moving to London, whilst studying what the skills I needed were, ignored everyone saying I couldn't do it.
Bought property in London in 2007 in a place that I can never afford now.
Got made redundant 2 months after buying said property.
worked s
tty jobs for 4 months, then moved to contracting for banks.contracting dried up late 2011
worked on my own stuff for a year, setup 2 companies, one was a bust... other one still going, then shattered my leg and left house bound for 6 months.
got back into consulting in 2013 and still there.
Company I worked very hard for is now going to turn a decent profit.
So had ups and downs, but Im still here and loving every minute of it, I get calls every day asking me to go back into contracting, but my current job and running my own company is enough at the moment.
DanielJames said:
lewisf182 said:
£30k at 22? What are you complaining about lol. If the work life balance is good that sounds like a fantastic career.
Sounds like you need a slight change of scenery, a flat purchase/renting a place will provide something a bit different while not upsetting the nest too much I'da thought?
Sell both cars and buy something more special IMO. Give you something new to enjoy.
Haven't seen your Integra around sheffield, where is it you work?
I work at the BT building right in the centre mate. I commute at either 630am or 630pm though so maybe you wont see me, but keep an eye out! Sounds like you need a slight change of scenery, a flat purchase/renting a place will provide something a bit different while not upsetting the nest too much I'da thought?
Sell both cars and buy something more special IMO. Give you something new to enjoy.
Haven't seen your Integra around sheffield, where is it you work?
I've only just got the DC5 - it's a very special car to me. On the car side of things I'm more than happy. Was just bloody fed up last night. I was having a good day until I failed at the gym doing squats (7th rep got the better of me and I went down with the bar)
Will keep an eye out! have moved to Leeds now though but I'm back now and then. You won't notice me as it just looks like a 1 series unless your viewing from behind.
lewisf182 said:
Sorry, sounded like I was belittling your car there... Didn't know you had a DC5 either thought it was a DC2. I meant special as in a Lotus Elise kind of car, something which is only really practicable without kids unless you have loads of other cars etc.
Will keep an eye out! have moved to Leeds now though but I'm back now and then. You won't notice me as it just looks like a 1 series unless your viewing from behind.
DC5s are special, alright Will keep an eye out! have moved to Leeds now though but I'm back now and then. You won't notice me as it just looks like a 1 series unless your viewing from behind.
For me it's the missed opportunities.
I should have went travelling when I was your age, I'm now 27, my mates are settling down and I'm wanting to travel in 2016 and have been saving up for that.
I have a decent deposit for a house waiting but I've another account for travelling.
I want to see the world before settling down, places I want to visit, hills to climb, etc.
There have been girls I should have went with but couldn't read the signs, ( can any guy really ) and a couple I probably shouldn't have..
Should have cut out some of the junk food as well, I'm not fat but I could be slimmer.
Life is what you make of it, a few "ah well" instead of "what if" before I'm 30 should help that.
You still have age on your side, time to man up, sit down and actually see what you want, then do it.
I should have went travelling when I was your age, I'm now 27, my mates are settling down and I'm wanting to travel in 2016 and have been saving up for that.
I have a decent deposit for a house waiting but I've another account for travelling.
I want to see the world before settling down, places I want to visit, hills to climb, etc.
There have been girls I should have went with but couldn't read the signs, ( can any guy really ) and a couple I probably shouldn't have..
Should have cut out some of the junk food as well, I'm not fat but I could be slimmer.
Life is what you make of it, a few "ah well" instead of "what if" before I'm 30 should help that.
You still have age on your side, time to man up, sit down and actually see what you want, then do it.
lewisf182 said:
Sorry, sounded like I was belittling your car there... Didn't know you had a DC5 either thought it was a DC2. I meant special as in a Lotus Elise kind of car, something which is only really practicable without kids unless you have loads of other cars etc.
Will keep an eye out! have moved to Leeds now though but I'm back now and then. You won't notice me as it just looks like a 1 series unless your viewing from behind.
I've got both the DC2 and the DC5 now. Never really been a fan of the Elise, mainly after being quite a lot faster than them on track Will keep an eye out! have moved to Leeds now though but I'm back now and then. You won't notice me as it just looks like a 1 series unless your viewing from behind.
I know what you're saying though. My DC2 is a track car with no interior etc bar a steering wheel, bucket seats and harness, so it's probably similar to one of the cars you're describing.
Anyway on topic, been offered a new job today, same position but for our sister company. Quite a new company, and lots of exciting stuff going on with their growth. Might be the change I was looking for, will see! Also got invited to an interview for something else in Bradford - been quite an odd day on the job front. I don't fancy going near Bradford though mainly due to the horrible commute I'd have to endure.
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