Millennials about to turn 40 reveal their biggest regrets and there’s one common theme

When growing older, it's a common trait among the majority of us to reflect on the past and spend time worrying about the future.

In an ideal world, we'd all be given a rule book in order to ensure we could live our lives with no mistakes or regrets.

Alas, that's not the case - and all we really have to go on is instinct... and the wise words of people who have done it all before.

A group of older Millennials have banded together to share their biggest regrets in life in an attempt to ensure Gen Z don't make the same mistakes.

A Reddit user posed the question: "People over 40, what are your biggest regrets? Do you wish you'd had a different job or career? Do you wish you had done something differently?"

The post went viral, garnering thousands of responses.

There was one very common theme amid the responses, with a resounding message of the importance of self care.

One person responded: "I wished I had saved more and started younger. I wish I would have taken better care of my body, teeth, hearing, etc."

A second person said: "Being afraid of the doctor and not getting diagnosed sooner."

A lot of poeple spend time worrying about their regrets (Getty Stock Image)

A third added: "Having boyfriends and making love a priority. It is not a priority.

"I would be so much further along if I never had relationships. We don’t need a partner.

"That’s the biggest lie ever told they have terrible side effects."

While a fourth chimed in: "Honestly, probably should have gone to therapy much earlier in life. I didn’t realize I needed therapy until I was in my late 40s."

Another common theme that kept cropping up was working and forging a career.

One person said: "I’m 32 and starting to worry about being too complacent in my job. I need to try harder to become an expert in my field, but it’s difficult to find the motivation."

Another person then replied: "Be careful with that. I spent a lot of my 30s trying too hard to be good at my job and being obsessed, and looking back at the time I massively wasted, I'm full of regret.

"Jobs don't care about you. I wish I'd enjoyed myself more. I made work my life."

Elsewhere in the thread, the entire concept was questioned.

They wrote: "I [a 52-year-old female] have no regrets because I have accepted that I made horrible decisions based on flawed beliefs and values.

"There is a difference between regret and mistakes or failures. The difference is if you take what you learned and grow from it, how can it be a regret?

"I love my entire human experience. The good, the bad, it’s all necessary. Is it easy? No. Is it worth it to take accountability and grow as a compassionate loving human? It’s priceless!"

Wise words.