can a life really be wasted though?

I know people always talk about wasting their lives and wishing they could have done more, but can you " waste" a life?

surely if you use it to do what you want to do and what makes you happy it isn't being wasted
does it honestly matter about how many countries you've seen, or experiences you've had, etc, if you're living you're own way.. surely that counts?

* is looking for clarification she is not wasting her life*

Yes surely it does count if you are living your own way, if you do what you want to do, what makes you happy.

Possibly. Only God knows. I messed up my life by doing steroids which game me anxiety/panic disorder. All downhill from there. Like a person taking a wrong turn in life, using heroin

I guess it's a matter of perspective. I didn't do what I wanted to do. Nor did I do what made me happy. In fact, in retrospect, I don't even know what either of those things would have looked like. So, from where I sit, it certainly is possible for a person to have wasted their life. I certainly did. The good thing about it all, at least from my perspective, is that life is at its core meaningless. So, whether or not I wasted my life is (IMHO) of no consequence what-so-ever in the whole scheme of things. I take comfort in that.

Guess it depends on the person. My drive achieved my degree & a career in computer engineering....& my music degree gave me fun chances to play my flute in chamber groups. My engineering career gave me the funds to enjoy my winter ski vacations & to visit other places & experience......while from the time I was 8 years old, I loved farms & always wanted a horse. Never dreamed my 2nd half of life would land me where I dreamed of being as a child. Lots of experiences, learning never ends. I am satisfied. Even looking back at the bad stuff, I wouldn't be where I am today if those bad choices hadn't happened. Someone else may look at it as wasted but it is a personal view of ones own life that counts.

Not achieving one's goals may have had totally different things achieved that may have actually ended up an even more valuable outcome.

I absolutely think it counts if you live your life your own way.

We all have our own values and ambitions but you shouldn’t feel you need to measure yourself against anyone else’s.

Raging Vortex, I believe each individual has to answer that question for themself based on their own beliefs and values. I believe we run into problems when we judge our lives by other people's standards.

So, from my perspective you get to decide for yourself if you are wasting your life. Do you feel satisfied with your life? Please don't judge yourself by anyone else's standards.

Please also recognize that physical limitations impact what we can and cannot do. We both struggle with chronic pain. That means there are somethings our bodies just cannot do. That does NOT mean our lives are wasted.

i dont think a life can be wasted



that would be a waste

Agree with this. I try to avoid comparing myself to others. I also would never accuse anyone else of wasting their life. It is not up to me to judge that.

perfect example Patriots football player Aaron Hernandez. He had it all but made wrong life choices