That was never Me ... I never did things like that. But, it can be Me 2.0.

[Denninmi]

Reinventing yourself can be challenging, but fun and very, very rewarding. That is what I'm all about these days -- Me Version 2.0. A different, better guy than I was a year ago, all around.

I never did a lot of things I really wanted to, but was held back from by inhibitions, by circumstance, by family either explicitly or by fear that it wouldn't be "approved of", and often, by my own cowardly self.

I never ... went to my high school prom, or any other high school dance. ... played any sports as a kid -- I really wanted to play baseball. ...took any kind of spring break or post-graduation trip. ...went hiking on Isle Royal. ....took a trip to New England and the Canadian Maritimes. ...or saw the Columbia River or Puget Sound. ...went on a guys' night out with the boys... had dinner 70 stories up atop the RenCen downtown. ....

You get the picture.

I now believe it is never too late in life to live. You just have to embrace life and make everything you can out of it.

So, anyone else here have dreams of doing now what they wish they had done then?

[Xyzse]

1. I'm happy to hear of your progress

I remember just how you've started the work-outs. It is amazing how some changes opens up a lot of new possibilities.

As for me 2.0...

I do not regret not going to the prom. I already ran a marathon, so I'm not doing that again.
Uh... I intend to do Run for your Life.

[RebelOne]

2. Actually, I have accomplished everything that I wanted to do.

I am 74 years old now and am happy that I have done a lot that I dreamed of doing when in my younger years. I have traveled extensively and have been to Europe twice, been to a lot of Caribbean countries and Acapulco and Mexico City. I have skydived, parasailed, learned to fly a small plane, been to Colorado and snowmobiled in the mountains. These are all that I wished to accomplish before I grew old.

[magical thyme]

3. never went to the prom, and don't regret that

My middle sister was determined to go to the senior prom, so invited either a sophomore or junior to go with her. Not me. I somehow didn't think it would be a good memory that I had to invite somebody 1 or 2 classes younger in order to get a prom date. No regrets there.

There are things I wish I'd done back in my late teens/early 20s, but when I take myself back memory-wise, I understand why I made the choices and I realize that had I chosen differently, it may not have worked out well at all due to family interference. Family disapproval is one thing; family deliberately sabotaging relationships, enabling jealous, would-be competition to kill your (horse) partner and your dreams takes disapproval to a whole new level. I had others to think of beside myself.

So the first order of the day, I think, is to forgive yourself for not living up to your fullest potential. No prom? Meh. You did the best you could at the time; this is a different time. Go. For. It.

I have done a couple things I'm really glad for...my 2 dogs and my whitewater rafting trip down the grand canyon are at the top of that list And I wish I'd done more of them, or had the opportunity to do more.

But we do what we can. I'll turn 60 this fall and have a revised bucket list now, filled with things I will do or die trying, and things I'll do if life gives me the opportunity.

My base dream was to have a farm. My mini-farm was supposed to be 5 1/2 acres and I was defrauded and ended up with 2 1/2 acres. But I'm able to squeeze in most of what I wanted, and if the real estate market ever recovers enough for me to sell here, I have my eye on a right-sized cottage with lots more land to my north, so maybe I'll get a second chance. Certainly don't regret my first stab at this dream...

[femmocrat]

4. I hope you get to do all of those things, Denninmi.

It is definitely not too late!

My number one dream is to experience Paris. I'll let everyone know when I finally get there.

[HeiressofBickworth]

6. I'd love to experience Paris

I lived 300 miles from Paris for 2 years and never managed to get there. I went to a lot of OTHER places in western Europe, but never got to Paris.

The conundrum of work/retirement is this: when you have the money, you don't have the time and when you have the time you don't have the money.

But there are so many other things to do.................. it's just a matter of fitting them in at the right times. It's never too late.

[RebelOne]

9. Been there. The only exciting thing in Paris is the Effiel Tower. n/t

[MadrasT]

5. Go for it.

I am in a "me 2.0" phase right now myself.

[elleng]

7. Did many things, good life,

and have had, last 10+ years, unhappiness. This place, where I'll be living soon, inspires me:

http://smd.craigslist.org/apa/3907272842.html

[HipChick]

8. Someone decided that it would be good to go to London for the weekend

so that's what I did, did some shopping...took in a play so far...spur of the moment...

[LWolf]

10. Now?

Not really. All the things I wish I could have done then either can't be done now, or can't be physically managed now.

Travel, maybe.