Sixty sneaks up faster than people expect. And by then, the list of “someday” things feels way too long, even though some regrets are easy to fix. Others just aren’t worth dragging around anymore & you may as well sort things out while you still can. We spoke to a few readers, and here are twelve regrets they told us not to waste time on when you hit 60. Which one of these would you be happiest to cross off right now?
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Passing on a big move across the country
You might look back and imagine a different version of your life, in a new city with a new job, maybe a different accent. But staying put doesn’t have to be a failure. No, you knew your neighborhood, and the support system was already there. Starting from scratch isn’t automatically better because you built a life where you were.
Not keeping every friendship alive
At 60, people sometimes get stuck thinking about the ones who drifted away, which usually happens slowly. One move or one job change is all it takes. However, you can’t carry every friendship forever because some fade, some pause, so don’t beat yourself up about it. The ones that stuck around did so for a reason, and that’s what really matters now.
Not holding on to every family heirloom
All those boxes you had in the attic were way too heavy, and half the time, no one remembered what was inside. Keeping a few meaningful things is enough. Don’t think that letting stuff go erases anyone’s memory, as the truth is that it clears space, both in your home & in your head. Old stuff doesn’t necessarily equal love.
Passing on extreme adventures
Some people have the idea that everyone should have a list of wild things they’ve done. Yet not jumping out of a plane or climbing a mountain doesn’t mean you missed out. Perhaps you preferred long dinners & local trips, or the stability of a routine. That’s perfectly fine. You don’t need a crazy story to prove that you lived your life to its fullest.
Not always being the “fun” parent
Sure, you weren’t the parent who said yes to everything your kid asked for, and that bothers you now. But it shouldn’t. Someone had to keep the house running, and kids need structure instead of nonstop entertainment. In fact, they probably remember how consistent you were with them more than the sugar highs.
Choosing rest instead of always being social
There were nights when everyone else went out & you stayed home. These moments feel like wasted time when you turn 60, even though they really weren’t. Rest is important at any stage of life and especially when work & family use your energy. Some evenings, the best thing you could do was tell yourself “not tonight” and actually mean it.
Letting hair go gray instead of dyeing
Unfortunately, people make going gray a bigger deal than it is. It’s completely natural to go gray & salon upkeep is a commitment, with touch-ups every few weeks and awkward grow-out phases. Spending a chunk of your weekend in a chair is way too much. As such, skipping that grind isn’t a loss, but instead a choice that gave you more time and less expense.
Letting an adult child move back home for a year
You might think when you’re 60 that you should’ve pushed your kids out faster. However, that time under the same roof probably helped them get on their feet, since they saved money on rent & improved their credit score. Think of that time as a bridge instead of a setback. One year doesn’t undo everything they’d built before, so don’t feel bad about letting them stay.
Working too many hours in midlife
The long days you put in at the office weren’t glamorous, and they might sting a little now. But you did what life demanded back then. Mortgage & tuition, utility bills & groceries, they all had to be paid. You had no choice. As such, you showed up to keep things steady, and that matters more than some fantasy of a perfect work-life balance. Don’t feel bad about prioritizing your bills over your free time.
Not saving enough for retirement in early years
Everyone thinks they should’ve saved more when they were 25. And yes, compound interest sure is nice, but so is keeping the lights on, especially since most people aren’t skipping retirement contributions because they don’t care. It’s just that they don’t have extra. Regretting that now won’t change a single number since you’re still able to make moves.
Selling the big house earlier than planned
Once the maintenance bills climbed, you may have decided to sell your big house. Now you’re wondering if doing so was too early. But the truth is, it probably freed you up because you have less cleaning & fewer repairs to deal with, along with more cash for travel or hobbies. Houses can be warm without being large because it’s the people who make them a home.
Not earning that second degree
It’s easy to think that you should’ve gone back for that degree that you never got. However, the experience you received over your decades taught you plenty & you also built a career without adding more tuition debt. It’s okay that you still want to go back. Nothing’s stopping you now because it’s not too late, and it was never a failure.
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