Better to Try and Live Than to Stand Still and Regret
Going out and partying is better than doing nothing. Even though you might regret some of those nights later in life, at least you’ll have memories — stories that will make you laugh when you’re older.
On the other hand, if you spend your time doing absolutely nothing — neither productive work nor fun experiences — you will eventually realize you missed out. Watching life pass by without truly living is a regret much harder to accept.
Let me tell you a story about John:
John didn’t like partying or drinking. He lived in a neighborhood that was filled with violence, illegal drugs, sex work, and gang activity.
Despite his environment, John was known for being very ambitious and cautious. The elderly in his community praised him for his good behavior and discipline.
He was a serious student, determined to succeed at school. John needed a scholarship if he wanted to continue his education at a university, since his family couldn’t afford it.
Unfortunately, John didn’t get the scholarship. He had always believed education was his only path to success, so he hadn't tried anything else — no business, no job. He kept searching desperately for another opportunity.
One day, he heard about the SAT. He took the test but didn’t earn a very good score. It was heartbreaking for him, even though it was his first time taking it — something understandable for many first-time test takers.
John struggled with what to do next. Watching his classmates move on with their lives while he stayed behind made him feel even worse.
Two years passed after he graduated from high school — and during those two years, John didn’t really do anything.
As John sat in his classes years later, something became clear to him:
Life isn’t about being stuck in the past, waiting for the perfect opportunity to act.
It’s about moving forward — even if it means failing, making mistakes, or doing things outside your comfort zone. Every little experience, whether it’s working, learning, or even having fun, adds something important to your journey.
John realized that living life — truly living it — is never wasted time. You don’t get to pause life while you figure things out; you have to keep moving, no matter how slowly.
And that's the real key to growth.
Looking back, John realized that even though he was being careful and responsible, getting a job, gaining some experience, or simply having a little fun wouldn't have hurt him.
Those experiences would have helped him grow — and would have given him memories to carry with him for the rest of his life.
Finally, John started attending a community college, something he had wanted badly for years.
But even though he had finally made it, he couldn't shake the feeling that the lost years could have been spent better — living, learning, and experiencing life instead of standing still.
The point of this article is:
For those who fear that going out, taking risks, or living a little might distract them from their goals — remember: doing absolutely nothing because you're too scared or too lazy will only leave you with deeper regrets.
If you continue living like that, you will have the same regret John had — looking back and realizing that the real mistake was never truly living at all.
