Is it normal i largely regret my teen years?

I’m 19 now, will be 20 in Just under 3 months, and looking back I really wish I could do my teen years over again. I did and said a lot of cringey and embarrassing things, I took some things way too seriously, I worried way too much, and didn’t let myself get out much. I talked with a few kids at school, but every one of them went their own way, and I was left friendless (to be clear it’s not like they abandoned me, it’s more like we all just drifted apart and did our own thing). I still have not driven a car because of anxiety , people often say that teenagers are reckless and get into trouble, but I feel like I was the opposite extreme of this. I was too careful. There were periods where I would actively avoid going outside my house because I was worried that anything could happen, especially car related. I guess it’s better than associating with the wrong people and creating bad habits, but it’s also not healthy to spend so much time alone and worrying all the time. I should be starting college soon, so hopefully that’ll help me, but if I could give my younger self advice, it’d probably be to not take everything so damn seriously all the time!

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Comments ( 4 )
  • I wish I could change my cringy past too but on the bright side it’s never to late for improvements.

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  • kelili

    Most of us hold regrets from our teen years. I've done lots of crazy thing that almost got my parents going crazy. When I think about it I'm a little ashamed. Yes, i was a teenager but how could I have been so stupid! Sometimes those same things makes me laugh.

    You should know that I was having the time of my life at 22. Old enough to know where to stop and young enough to be wild!

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  • Mehereok1

    Most of us regret our teen years. They were ackward, stressful, and we worried too much about fitting in. Get past it and enjoy a more independent adulthood. When people ask if I'd do my teens over again, I say no. College, yes..I'd do my college years again, but not my teens.

    You'll grow and enjoy college much, much more than your teen years.

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  • leggs91200

    You are not even 20 just yet so it is not like a wasted life.

    We do things as teenagers because we do not know any better.
    For friends drifting apart - it happens cause once the valedictorian (aka the nerd who got straight A's) gives that stupid speech about "As we embark into outer space and away from this bullshit institution, let us not forgot that female gym teachers ARE typically lesbians..." But once all that is said, the real world strikes and it is easy to lose track of people.

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