Do you feel old and wasted sometimes?

Question

I'm eighteen years old. I'm young to many people, but don't we take youth for granted nowadays? I'm often told I'm mature (and I don't really believe I am) but I can say the same about yet younger people whose achievements surprise me and make me think, "Why wasn't I the same at that age?" When I think about it, I realize that even at thirteen or fifteen, I did have the ambition and intelligence to make a lot of myself. I remember the many plans I had that only actualized in my imagination because I never worked hard. I could've been a full scholarship student at a famous school, artistically, athletically, and musically able, fluent in several languages, known, not short of a successful relationship, and not wealthy, but getting there. Instead I can say I've changed little since I was a boy. I'm also learning how much easier it is to improve yourself sooner than later. I now realize how many regrets I have, and I miss the happy innocence of youth. But time never gives a second chance.

Answer 1

sometimes... but you are so young that be sure life will give you more than one chance... just keep your heart as young as now..

Answer 2

I think I can relate a bit to what your saying, Have ever heard that song there is always someone cooler than you are? I am 21 and I think I have done some great things in my life but it is never enough to me, theres always someone who had done this and that, travelled more places than I have, read more books than I have, achieved more than I have, is a better tennis player than me, is smarted than me, has a better job than I do. And it gets a bit overwheming I start to worry that I need to do more. But I recently had a holiday with my boyfriends parents and i think it was because I was around older people, I realised that im only 21 and most people havent done half the things I've done, and that it doesnt really matter what you've accomplished but who you are as a person. So I say your only 18 and that is very young, so cheer up you have plenty of time and by the sounds of you just need to change your attitude about life. Time does give a second chance you can still do all the things you want.

Sorry if I have gone on too much, I dont know whats wrong with me tonight

Answer 3

Thats very wise and quite astute. You will find that, whether admitted or not, people twice your age feel that way. They are the lucky ones. Many people suddenly 60 years old and make that observation. I commend you on your insight. That being said, you are still a buck. And a step ahead of many of your contemporaries. Use that to now seize you life and shake it , slap it around a bit, and take the reigns. You understand the speed at which it passes, and so can appreciate what you need/want to do. Hopefully you will now not do things that are of no value. I am not saying don't have fun. In fact, do have fun! And enjoy every second of it! I have a feeling you will become everything you want. Remember; Getting old is mandatory. Feeling old is optional.

Answer 4

don't regret the past, you can't change it, instead learn from it. and take the oppertunity now to take new chances and make new plans.
i think many people feel a kind of dooms day feeling at your age, it's just part of the realisation of yourself as an individual and the prospect of success or failure.
don't approach things in a way that is 'what could have been' but rather, approach life in a 'what can be'.
"don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened" is a saying i try to remind myself of when feeling life is passing me by and some things are now over. it helps.
but, you have so much ahead of you; make the most of that youth and the oppertunities it provides.
i'd love to be eighteen again!! enjoy the journey life is!!

Answer 5

Honey, you are ONLY 18 years old! Give me a break! You can't possibly have anything to regret yet, You haven't lost anything in three years that you can't make up. Trust me on this. If you start thinking like this now you are going to grow up to be bitter and resentful.

Go out and get what you want. Make your life a beautiful and worthwhile thing worth living. Don't think about when you "were a boy" -to most of us, you till are. You have not lost a moment. Your life has not yet begun - now get off the net and go live it.

Answer 6

My, My, you sound like a little old man. When I was eighteen I had a year in, in the U.S. Army Rangers and 101st, Airborne with 35 jumps in and headed for Viet Nam, I put in two tours.
My life started at about 25. I went to three universities, two colleges and raised five kids.
Slow down, live, you haven't lived, your just starting out. Go to school, choose a career, get out there and live. Life is short. By the way, I'm 68

Answer 7

Listen to Alice Coopers' song "I'm Eighteen!"
When you are older, you'll regret your little paragraph.
Soon, you will miss the happy innocence of your 20's, and then your 30's and so on. So stop whining and start living.
Stay off the computer and get out.
Remember, there's always the Army.

Answer 8

Well then stop regretting choices you make! You don't feel old and wasted you just missed opportunities but you have SO many more to look foward to. Learn from your past and try to broaden your experiences and go for what you want! Don't regret your life because that is a wasted life. Make today your first day and enjoy your world!

Answer 9

Young Man...I am 67 years old and still growing and learning.....work both mind & body...just got married and ride my motorcycle for fun & relaxation. Point is YOU have a life time ahead to GROW & BUILD & LEARN. If you feel you wasted the past years then don't waste all those many ahead of you. Advice is move on with your life...but do not push yourself beyond common sense...consider your options and logical choose your path.

Answer 10

that's really deep. i cant help but feel that your wallowing a bit in self pity.I'm not 15 yet & i already miss being able to play footy with my guy friends without getting funny looks. i miss not being able to do everything with my best friend (she moved to NZ) i miss not caring what everyone thought. i miss the guy i liked, nothing happend cause i was too scared i never talk to him now, he changed schools. but, you know what, im not yet 15 so i can still have fun, iv got things to aspire to. iv got stuff to live for.my whole life is spread before me as yours should be spread before you. iv got many of the same aspirations as you had but im filling them out. i play two instruments & i can speak a little french, i get decent grades. and if i want something, i bloody well work for it! age is not a barrier. it never should be. i get told im mature also & i might be for my age. let them say what they want! ill say one more thing: life is short, LIVE IT!!!

Answer 11

I feel old sometimes. especially now that I'm out of my teens just as I got used to them... But then, maturity gave me the strength and wisdom I never knew I possessed, and started making my dreams come true. There's so much left for us to do, mate, and I guess it will only get easier with years.