Missed out on "teenage life"

Best experiences of your life - no, that's your opinion, it won't be true for everyone
May regret missing out on that - why would they? Because other people are saying that?

I've not done any of that either - and I'm twenty in three months! I've never had more than maybe a mouthful of alcohol with my friends; I've never been to any proper parties and I've never had a really good friend. I know people, talk to people and have a good laugh with people but I've never had a best friend. I've spent the vast majority of my teenage years with my mum and sister.. Never had a relationship/kiss or anything close to it either - the only time a boy touched me was when they sexually assualted me! So you aren't alone OP I reckon there's a lot of people who've had similar teenage years!

Hey,

I'm 19 years old male, in my first year at uni and have found a girl who stuff is starting to happen with.
But when I look back over my teenage years I feel like I've missed out on a lot... I've never been in a relationship or even kissed, never really went to parties / got drunk and didn't have a solid group of friends (more just good friends with individuals). Its not that I haven't enjoyed the past 5 or so years of my life - I really have - its just that I feel that I may have missed out on some stuff
I don't really know what I'm hoping to get by posting on here, I just wanted to put it out there!

ok then 'im so academic' what social experiences have you had? im guessing none.. otherwise you would understand that they can be the most amazing times of your life. i have traveled all over the world with my family, but none of those holidays could beat a night sitting by a campfire with my friends, then going home at around 8am, or skinny dipping in the lake on a really hot day, or even just getting wasted in a wood / park / field somewhere.

and yes, obviously they would regret missing out, because other people have had those experiences with friends that will never be forgotten.

sometimes making the most of the simple things in life can be the most rewarding.

x

I dont understand why people are saying 'teenage life' is just **** churned out by the media. I thought skins was semi-acurate in season 1 and 2, the parties WERE realistic.

Year 10 and 11 were awesome and I wish i could redo them again and again. House parties every weekend, weed coming out of my ears, lots of flirty girls and tons of chilling around town with mates. However, although I'm only just about to turn 18 I am most definately sick of 'teenage life'. It does get boring, it does get old and yes I think you have missed out.

It was awesome when I'd go to a party on friday night, end up in the park at 5am waiting for buses and then run into mates, find out there is another party the next night, chill at mates house for dinner then go out again (I lived in the city next to the town where my school is so all my mates were in this town, so i rarely went home on the weekend).

I feel more mature than a lot of people I know now at my current college and I feel the reason why is the experiences I had at 15/16. Been there done that. I couldnt care less about the parties at uni, I personally cant wait to get a degree and move to the states.

tl:dr I believe you have missed out, the memories are incredible and I experienced so much. Its a shame you didnt

For you they may be the most amazing experiences of your life - but that does not apply to everyone.

Why can't you appreciate that people have a different way of living and that it's not all about the "friends"?

Oh wow.

Reading that, it seems the memories aren't worth it and the experiences are pathetic. So, for me, I haven't missed out on anything.

For you they may be the most amazing experiences of your life - but that does not apply to everyone.

Why can't you appreciate that people have a different way of living and that it's not all about the "friends"?

Oh wow.

Reading that, it seems the memories aren't worth it and the experiences are pathetic. So, for me, I haven't missed out on anything.

x

I think it's normal for heavily introverted people to think that they've "missed out" somehow on the typical teenage lifestyle - I do, at times. But ask yourselves this: were you even capable of living such a lifestyle? Is it what you desired at the time? If the answer is no, then you may be lusting after something you never really wanted to begin with (obviously this doesn't apply to those who were ill, bullied, or repressed). Back in my teens I simply preferred solitary activities. I didn't want to drink, take drugs, go to parties or have a girlfriend, and I didn't fit in with most people my age - I just wanted to stay home, read, watch TV, play games, and browse the Internet. Is that so bad? I enjoyed my teen years, and certainly didn't feel like I was missing out at the time, so why should I feel unfilled now that I'm in my early 20s? It makes no sense. I may not have any memories or stories to tell about parties/drinking/sex/etc., but what I do have is an extremely well developed sense of individuality. A lack of social interaction leaves plenty of time for introspection and personal development; I've never felt the need to follow any herd, and I'm pretty much immune to peer pressure. There's no shame in having forgone a decade of high-risk behaviours and shallow relationships. It just doesn't appeal to some people.

but i have been bullied at almost every stage of my life and never been allowed to get accustomed to normal teenage life without being bullied. its only at university did i start to properly drink and party and even then i havent partied or gone clubbing very much. my past bullying haunts me and doesnt make me trust people.

Think of it like this, probably all the people that would get lashed and party are on the dole anyway. Yeah ok, you may not have had 'wild' teenage years but thats worked in your favour as you're at uni. With uni secure, you can do whatever now!

Lifes too short to think what if, focus on the now!