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Article created by: Gabija Palšytė

Hindsight is always 20/20, and the Reddit post that asked the question "What are some things you realized too late in life?" is a testament to this fact. Its comment section is filled with thousands of responses from people of all ages, sharing the biggest lessons they've learned so far.

Some of the replies center around the theme of missed opportunities, like not pursuing your passion or spending more time with loved ones while others focus on the importance of self-care and personal growth. But when looking at it as a whole, the thread serves as a powerful reminder that our time on this planet is short, and we should strive to make every day count with intention and purpose.

#1

Young man sitting alone at a wooden table in a bright room, reflecting on hard truths people realized later in life. Don't set yourself on fire to keep others warm.

-Miss_Information- , Andrew Neel Report

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    #2

    Bride and groom sharing a kiss under a flowing veil, capturing a hard truth about love and life later in life. Getting married and having kids is not "the ultimate life goal". Only do it if you really want to. Otherwise you'll do it just because it's expected of you and you'll be trapped in a very unhappy life

    anon Report

    #3

    Young woman expressing frustration while speaking to a man outdoors, illustrating hard truths people realize later in life. Dont try to hang on to a toxic friendship just because of your history.

    AlanClan , Budgeron Bach Report

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    #4

    Students raising hands in a classroom setting, illustrating hard truths people only realized later in life about learning and growth. Doing well in school doesn't mean you will do well outside of it.

    pajamakitten , Tima Miroshnichenko Report

    #5

    Busy city street filled with crowds and traffic, illustrating life’s hard truths people realize later in life. Most of the population is far less aware than you think.

    swissfrenchman , Riccardo Report

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    #6

    A woman sitting outdoors looking worried while a man walks away, illustrating hard truths people realize later in life. Just because you put effort and energy into a relationship, doesn’t mean the other person will.

    usernameeightandhalf , RODNAE Productions Report

    #7

    Close-up of a smartphone showing the Instagram app icon, highlighting hard truths people realized later in life. Don’t make other people’s lives your standard for living. Love what you have and love the people that support you

    swede_fish , Pixabay Report

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    #8

    Young man with dyed hair brushing teeth in bathroom, reflecting on hard truths people realized later in life Take care of your teeth.

    Nitroclover , Ron Lach Report

    #9

    Medical professional in green scrubs with stethoscope and watch, symbolizing hard truths people realize later in life. Doctors are just people, and people are sometimes bias, useless, dismissive and just plain wrong.

    Jackatarian , Karolina Grabowska Report

    Bacon Tentacles
    Community Member
    8 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Do you know what they call the person who graduated dead last in their medical school class? "Doctor." Don't be afraid to ask questions.

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    #10

    Four young men sitting on a ledge outside a building, smiling and relaxing, reflecting on hard truths in life. “I wish there was a way to know you're in the good old days before you've actually left them.”

    anon , kat wilcox Report

    #11

    Young woman in red top doing a plank exercise indoors, representing strength and life hard truths realization. You only get one body. Take care of it.

    pinkkittenfur , Andrea Piacquadio Report

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    #12

    Person holding glasses and reading a book, reflecting on hard truths people only realized later in life. I thought people didn't like me because I was nerdy and all. Turns out the problem was that I never gave them a chance because I assumed they wouldn't like me.

    PhreedomPhighter , Julia Avamotive Report

    #13

    Woman holding notebook talking to man in home setting, reflecting on hard truths people only realized later in life. Don't assume people won't do to you what you wouldnt do to them.

    PimemtoCheese , Ketut Subiyanto Report

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    #14

    Person sitting in a vast dry field with arms outstretched, symbolizing hard truths realized later in life. You don't need someone else to feel complete. There was never a hole to begin with. It was just you finding your way through life. You don't start with a hole, you start with foundation and build up.

    MrDextra , Alexandra Schulz Report

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    #15

    Two people sitting apart on a porch, reflecting on hard truths people only realized later in life. Some people are not meant to be in your life forever

    BhagavadGina , RODNAE Productions Report

    #16

    Young woman enjoying breakfast in a bright kitchen, reflecting on hard truths people only realized later in life. Eating healthy and being active actually matters

    AWOL_PSYCHO , Nathan Cowley Report

    #17

    Young woman with braided hair expressing frustration while looking at a smartphone, reflecting hard truths realized later in life. That expecting others to act how you would in that situation does not work.

    anon , Alex Green Report

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    #18

    Two women by the water, one comforting the other, reflecting on hard truths people only realized later in life. It is impossible to please everyone

    Foundry_Man_13 , RODNAE Productions Report

    #19

    Man sitting on floor tearing papers in frustration, illustrating hard truths people realized later in life. I was so afraid of failing that I stopped trying. I know now it's okay to be afraid but it's no excuse to give up. I'm 28 years old and just finished my first quarter of college with all A's. When I saw my grades I cried for a long time because I realised the biggest thing holding me back was me. It took time and a lot of therapy for me to get here but that's okay. Everyone grows at a different pace.

    largestbeefartist , Nicola Barts Report

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    #20

    Person in an orange sweater holding a cup, sitting by the water reflecting on hard truths realized later in life. Nobody has all the answers. Everyone is just trying to make sense of things the best they can

    anon , Engin Akyurt Report

    #21

    Close-up of elderly hands resting on a cane, symbolizing hard truths and life lessons realized later in life. It’s never too early to start saving for retirement

    iggy555 , Pixabay Report

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    #22

    Male musician passionately singing on stage with guitar, highlighting hard truths people only realized later in life. The chances of you growing up to be something big is very unlikely. And if you do accomplish something huge, it's even more unlikely that you'll keep that success for too long. Be grateful for being average because it's very hard to do the basic things it takes to maintain a stable lifestyle that's nowhere near the "american dream".

    sketchysketchist , Thibault Trillet Report

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    #23

    Person sitting on a chair holding their stomach, illustrating hard truths people only realized later in life. Your stomach isn’t supposed to hurt all the time. I was knee-deep in denial for a while when I first started developing symptoms of Crohn’s Disease. Side note: if you are in your late teens or early 20s and are having persistent stomach/gut pain, go to the doctor as soon as you possibly can. It could save you a lot of pain and surgery down the line.

    Napiformity , Sora Shimazaki Report