Article created by: Gabija Palšytė

"You live and you learn" — can't really argue with that one. And while the older we get, the more knowledge we acquire, some lessons just manage to get past us for way too long. But there's no shame in learning anything at any age! (Well, maybe a little).

One Reddit user wanted to know what people learned just recently that they should've already known years ago. The answers varied from silly to serious, with some people dipping deep into self-discovery, which could've saved them a lot of tears and confusion in the past. From Froot Loops all being the same flavor to mourning relationships with your friends, folks were eager to share their newfound knowledge with others.

Bored Panda selected the most interesting answers for this list, so scroll down, and maybe you'll also learn something new today. After all, we're not aware that we don't know something, until we learn of its existence. Don't forget to upvote your favorites, and if there's anything you learned 'too late' in life that you think others might not know about yet, be sure to share it in the comments!

This post may include affiliate links.

#1

A man looks embarrassed holding his head while a woman sits beside him, reflecting on things learned embarrassingly late. Friend breakups can hurt just as much, if not more, than romantic ones.

anon , SHVETS production Report

Final score:
0points
Add photo comments
POST
RELATED:
    #2

    Three friends with arms around each other enjoying scenic view, representing people sharing life lessons embarrassingly late. Quality matters more than quantity when it comes to friends.

    I started to notice that most of my friends weren’t really my friends, only drinking buddies, and it hindered my process of getting sober for awhile. i didn’t want to lose them. but then i realized that if they couldn’t be with me in my sobriety journey, they couldn’t be in my life at all.

    I’m 67 days into cutting back, and twelve days into not touching alcohol at all. my life is better without those people. i only have three friends now but it’s worth it. the support and encouragement i get from them outweighs the sadness of losing everyone else.

    anon , Phil Nguyen Report

    Final score:
    0points
    Add photo comments
    POST
    #3

    Two people sitting on steps, one with head down, representing people sharing lessons learned embarrassingly late in life. It's better to be alone than in an unfulfilling/abusive relationship.

    Don't continue dating someone if you constantly think "give it time, things might get better". That puts you in a never ending loop that becomes more difficult to get out of as time goes on.

    No_Arm604 , Odonata Wellnesscenter Report

    Final score:
    0points
    Add photo comments
    POST
    #4

    Group of people sharing what they learned embarrassingly late, engaged in discussion in a modern office setting. I didn’t learn it recently but I learned it earlier in life, don’t share stuff with your coworkers. Just mind your own business.

    St_Virgo , fauxels Report

    Final score:
    0points
    Add photo comments
    POST
    #5

    Person lying on a sofa, reading a book, illustrating people sharing things they learned embarrassingly late in life. That it's ok to take a day for me.

    imnotyourproblemyet , Lisa Fotios Report

    Final score:
    0points
    Add photo comments
    POST
    #6

    White dove perched outdoors on a decorative post, illustrating people share what things they learned embarrassingly late. Doves are literally just white pigeons.

    Not similar, or related to, the exact same bird.

    Pigeons with white privilege

    VivaLaVict0ria , Pixabay Report

    Final score:
    0points
    Add photo comments
    POST
    #7

    Young woman laughing and covering her face, sharing relatable moments from people who learned things embarrassingly late in life. It's "piqued my interest," not "peaked."

    OpinionatedNonsense , Andrea Piacquadio Report

    Final score:
    0points
    Add photo comments
    POST
    #8

    Two people sitting on a ledge wearing casual shoes, illustrating people sharing things they learned embarrassingly late. That if I am unfulfilled as an individual my partner will never be able to fulfill me either. Similar to if you don’t love yourself you can’t unconditionally love others.

    pnw-milf , Dương Nhân Report

    Final score:
    0points
    Add photo comments
    POST
    #9

    Person sleeping in bed at night, illustrating people share what things they learned embarrassingly late in life. A consistent sleep schedule and plenty of sleep every night actually works. It won’t cure your depression/chronic illness/various maladies, but it makes it much easier to face them in the morning. And when I say morning, I mean it: even if you’re semi-nocturnal like me, it is so much easier to get important stuff done during the day.

    This is the most annoying realisation I’ve had all year, but brains simply work better when they are rested and refreshed.

    Catulllus Report

    Final score:
    0points
    Add photo comments
    POST
    #10

    Man in glasses and brown shirt laughing indoors, illustrating people sharing things they learned embarrassingly late in life. Tall, white, loud men get more respect than anyone, no matter how stupid they are.

    seehowshegoes , cottonbro studio Report

    Final score:
    0points
    Add photo comments
    POST
    #11

    White bed with red pillow and bright lighting, illustrating comfort and simplicity in home decor ideas. Replace your pillows every 1–2 years. Lots of mold and allergens get stuck in there. I finally stopped feeling sick when I changed them out.

    happyhippo237 , Jens Mahnke Report

    Final score:
    0points
    Add photo comments
    POST
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #12

    A calf standing inside a pen, illustrating people share what things they learned embarrassingly late in life. That cows only produce milk after they've had a baby. Farmers forcibly impregnate them and take their calves away so they can sell the milk to humans. I always thought they just made milk all the time, which seems stupid in retrospect.

    nat_lite , cottonbro studio Report

    Final score:
    0points
    Add photo comments
    POST
    #13

    Person running on an outdoor path in a park, symbolizing people sharing things they learned embarrassingly late in life. Jogging slowly is still running.

    marylikestodraw , Daniel Reche Report

    Final score:
    0points
    Add photo comments
    POST
    #14

    Young woman with tattoos taking a selfie on a smartphone, illustrating people learning things embarrassingly late in life. If you're going to take inappropriate selfies, disable the photo sync to your mom's icloud first.

    anon , Polina Tankilevitch Report

    Final score:
    0points
    Add photo comments
    POST
    #15

    Man wearing gloves and jeans changing a car tire, illustrating things people learned embarrassingly late in life. What getting tires rotated actually means.

    Also that the line in Billy Joel's "We didn't start the fire" is "trouble in the Suez" not "trouble in the sewers."

    BrittLee8 , Andrea Piacquadio Report

    Final score:
    0points
    Add photo comments
    POST
    #16

    Flat screen TV mounted on a black and white wall, illustrating a modern living space for people sharing things learned embarrassingly late. TV screens are measured diagonally

    HRPunsNStuff , Max Vakhtbovych Report

    Final score:
    0points
    Add photo comments
    POST
    #17

    Woman making a bed in a bright room, illustrating everyday things people learned embarrassingly late in life. I didn’t know how much of an impact making my bed in the morning had on me.

    brittanydude , Ron Lach Report

    Final score:
    0points
    Add photo comments
    POST
    #18

    Person holding a pill and a glass of water, illustrating things people learned embarrassingly late in life. Not to mess with my birth control, the hormone unbalance was a unpleasant experience.

    pettybettyluv , JESHOOTS.com Report

    Final score:
    0points
    Add photo comments
    POST
    #19

    Two blood samples in test tubes with colored caps on a plain light background, illustrating things learned embarrassingly late. my blood type

    Linorelai , Karolina Grabowska Report

    Final score:
    0points
    Add photo comments
    POST

    Anyone can write on Bored Panda. Start writing!

    Follow Bored Panda on Google News!