10 Things You’ll Regret Not Doing Now in Five Years

Life is funny like that.

It feels slow and endless when we’re wasting time — and then all of a sudden, it feels short the moment we realise just how much of it has slipped away.

And if adulthood teaches us anything again and again, it’s this:

You don’t get forever.

The things you’re putting off today might become the very things your future self looks back on and says, “I really should’ve done that when I had the chance.”

Not because life is rushing you — but because time moves quietly, whether you notice it or not.

These are the kinds of things you may end up regretting five years from now.

1. Not Pursuing Your Dreams

Wishing alone won’t take you anywhere.

A dream that stays locked in your heart doesn’t fade—it lingers, quietly turning into regret.

It won’t hurt because you failed.
It’ll hurt because you never even tried.

That “what if” feeling? It grows heavier with time.

Life feels meaningful when you’re building something—when you’re chasing, learning, evolving. Even small steps matter.

Stop treating your dreams like pretty things you only think about.

Start. Anywhere. Just start.

Because five years from now will still come.
The real question is—
Will future-you be grateful you started, or wish you had?

2. Not Expressing Your Love

People can’t read your heart—they need to hear your words.

Even the ones closest to you still need reminders.

Tell them you love them.

Tell your partner.
Your kids.
Your parents.
That friend who’s been there in quiet ways.

You don’t have forever with anyone.

Life is fragile, and silence leaves space for doubt.

One honest “I love you” can heal more than you realize.

Say it while you can.
Before “later” turns into “too late.”

3. Not Appreciating the Ones Who Deserve It

In a world that’s always rushing, it’s easy to overlook the quiet ones who keep showing up.

The friend who checks in.
The sibling who supports you behind the scenes.
The partner who sacrifices without a fuss.
The mentor who believes in you.
The neighbour who helps without expecting anything.

These are the people we start to take for granted—not because we don’t care, but because we get used to their presence.

And so we delay the “thank you.”
We think we’ll say it later.
We assume they already know.

But nothing in life is guaranteed—not time, not people.

Appreciation costs nothing, but it means everything.
It makes people feel seen. It deepens bonds.

And when the moment to say it is gone, the regret hits harder than you’d expect.

Say it now. While you still can.

4. Not Saying Sorry When You Should Have

No matter how kind or thoughtful you are, you’re still human—
And being human means you’ll hurt people sometimes.

The real strength isn’t in being perfect.
It’s in being humble enough to say, “I’m sorry.”

Apologies are powerful.
But pride makes them rare.

Ego says, “They should understand.”
Shame says, “Just avoid it.”

And then one day, too much time has passed.
The silence gets heavier.
The connection fades.

But here’s the truth:
Time doesn’t heal what you won’t acknowledge.

If there’s someone you hurt—
Someone you let down—
Someone who’s still carrying what you caused…

Don’t wait.

Five years from now, you won’t regret saying sorry.
But you will regret the people you lost because you didn’t.

5. Not Making That Long-Overdue Call

There’s always that one person you’ve been meaning to call.
But weeks turn into months… and somehow, even years.

You keep telling yourself, “I’ll call them next weekend.”
And then, one day, news comes that stops you in your tracks.

And regret rushes in.

Make the call. Or at least open the door to it.

It doesn’t have to be perfect—just real.

Your future self will be so glad you reached out before it was too late.

6. Not Visiting Someone You’ve Been Meaning to See

Life changes fast.

People move away.
Schedules fill up.
Sometimes, illness or loss takes them without warning.

If someone’s been on your heart—
A friend, a relative, someone you care about but haven’t seen in a while—
Don’t wait for the “right time.”

Make time.

Because one visit now can mean far more than a thousand regrets later.

7. Not Using Your Gifts and Talents

Everyone has something special.
Something uniquely yours—planted in you before you were even born.

Don’t ignore it just because it feels “small.”

Small gifts open big doors.
Small talents, when nurtured, turn into life-changing opportunities.

When you walk in your natural strengths, life just feels more you.

If you never use your gift, the world will go on—
But something inside you won’t.

8. Not Learning a New Skill

You can’t grow into a better life while staying the same version of yourself.

Stretch your mind.
Learn something new.
A skill. A language. A craft. Anything that adds to your value.

No knowledge is ever wasted—
It shows up when you least expect it, just when you need it most.

Five years from now, you’ll look back and thank yourself for choosing growth.

9. Not Saving

“If only I had saved…”
That sentence stings—and it’s more common than you think.

Saving isn’t punishment.
It’s protection. It’s peace.

Even small savings count.
Because if you can’t save a little, you won’t save a lot either.
Expenses always rise to match your income.

Imagine how much you’d have if you started five years ago.

Now imagine how much you’ll have if you start today.

Start small. Start now.

10. Not Investing

Saving is safe, but saving alone doesn’t build wealth.

Think of saving as storing seeds.
But investing? That’s planting them.

Your money won’t grow sitting still.
But when you invest in knowledge, assets, businesses, or your future, it starts working for you.

Yes, there’s risk.
But doing nothing has a cost too—
You miss out on all the what-ifs that could have worked.

Five years from now, you’ll wish you had started.
So take the step. Even a small one.

Plant something today. Your future will thank you.