Global Q&A: ‘What is your greatest regret in life?’

At 23 years old, I don’t think I have regrets. It’s not a time to realize that you could have done things differently, because you haven’t done many things. But if I have to choose something, maybe I regret that I haven’t done my studies abroad.

I should have put more effort into my education so as to make better use of my brain. During high school I spent a lot of time playing sports (gymnastics, handball, tennis), and on the social part of life. School went easily and after secretary school I started to work at the relatively early age of 20. Now I think I could have studied a bit longer and started to work at 25. At the moment I am a legal secretary, but I could always learn things pretty well and maybe could have been at the other end. With hard work, maybe I could have been a lawyer.

I don’t think I have any regrets. I have made some mistakes, but they have made me the person I am.

My biggest regret is that I always try to adjust to people around me, and let myself be influenced instead of following my own way. When I was 15, I was influenced by my first boyfriend, which resulted in my getting married soon after.

My biggest regret in life is not telling my parents that my own sister and cousins were molesting me at the age of six. I ran away at [the age of] 13, came home at the age of 25, and two men, my flesh and blood, raped me at the age of 30. I’m 42 now. My other biggest regret is that I never traveled. I’ve been in New York all my life and I’m sick of it.

Just wish I had achieved more at school and got into the workforce straight out of school instead of not taking it seriously and losing the opportunity straight out of high school. Now I’m still a mature age student, still doing an apprenticeship.

The way I’ve used the time at my disposal has not been the optimal one. I would like to have traveled a lot more. When I had the time, I was centered in other things that didn’t let me see that in life, it’s also important to have some leisure time. When I realized this, I was older and, in fact, now, I have acquired some obligations that don’t allow me to do everything I like. I am obliged to choose and prioritize.

I regret that the investment of time in my college degree work did not correspond with the results. However, I think that was part of a process I had to live, to be where I am today. Even though I have regrets, I would not change the past. I think, if you like who you are today, you need to live through the difficult times to become who you are today.

My greatest regret is not helping a relative in a critical moment when they most needed, economic and psychological support. I hope to try to support others in bad times or when they have difficulties.

Look for the Global Q&A column every week. Epoch Times correspondents interview people around the world to learn about their lives and perspectives on local and global realities. Next week’s global question: “Do you feel comfortable buying products from China?”