What if ...
By Jenaisle
@Jenaisle (14079)
Philippines
April 23, 2023 7:23am CST
What if I have chosen the career I was truly interested in when I was younger? Would I have been able to write books and become a published author?
What if I have decided to pursue my first love, would I have been happier or lonelier?
What if I have not been away from my parents during my teen years, would I have grown so dependent on them?
There are many "what ifs" questions in my life. The choices I made then have made me what I am today. I don't regret it though, however, there were times that I wonder what I would have become if I have selected those choices.
Are there any "what ifs" in your life?
29 people like this
31 responses
@Marilynda1225 (80439)
• United States
24 Apr 23
My big "what if" is what if I never married my husband (now ex). But then I wouldn't have my children and they are my greatest blessings
11 people like this
@RebeccasFarm (87041)
• United States
23 Apr 23
I have only one what if and it would be what if I never got involved with anyone.
4 people like this
@Jenaisle (14079)
• Philippines
23 Apr 23
@RebeccasFarm It must have been a traumatic experience. I hope you have completely recovered from it.
3 people like this
@RebeccasFarm (87041)
• United States
23 Apr 23
@Jenaisle Yes that is it. The damage caused from these people are insurmountable to my family. Not just me.
3 people like this
@snowy22315 (171967)
• United States
23 Apr 23
We can drive ourselves crazy with what ifs.There is little we can do to change the past, but hope to make better decisions in the future. The past is behind us, and the future hasn't happened yet.
4 people like this
@averygirl72 (37854)
• Philippines
24 Apr 23
I have so many what ifs in my life. I have many regrets in life but I think that this could be my destiny. I wonder if I made the other choices and how well my life could be. It feels bad I cannot turn back the hands of time
4 people like this
@1creekgirl (40783)
• United States
27 Apr 23
My biggest what if is what if I had gone to college before getting married at 18. We didn't have to get married (I wasn't pregnant), we just thought we were grown up.
My parents should never have agreed to it. I was still immature and totally unprepared to be a wife. I'm very thankful to have the husband I have, but I think I would have been a good teacher if I had gone to college. And probably a better wife.
3 people like this
@Jenaisle (14079)
• Philippines
27 Apr 23
@1creekgirl OH, really? I thought you were in your early 50s. 
. I guess you may need a lot of rest and non-stressful activities
, like me. Stay safe and take care.
. I guess you may need a lot of rest and non-stressful activities, like me. Stay safe and take care.2 people like this
@1creekgirl (40783)
• United States
27 Apr 23
@Jenaisle Yes, but at 75 I'm way too old for college or teaching.
2 people like this
@innertalks (21246)
• Australia
24 Apr 23
I never think about "what ifs", I only think about "what is" or "what was".
If I spend all of my time thinking about what is real, I might improve from the experience, but to spend time on what might have been, I do not like to spend my time giving time to that.
I think our life slots together through certain coincidences, and happenings, and in a way, each direction that we take, was serving us best at that time. We cannot go back, so I would rather think about how to go forwards, from where I am right now.
@innertalks (21246)
• Australia
24 Apr 23
@Jenaisle Yes, we should live our life forwards, not backwards in regrets.
@vandana7 (99282)
• India
28 Apr 23
I suppose there is nobody without such possibilities. LOL That said, I do feel god almighty knows us better and steers us towards the goals that would keep us happier. Sometimes through our choices, and sometimes by creating circumstances. I accept the almighty's wishes, because he knows better.
2 people like this
@ShyBear88 (59306)
• Sterling, Virginia
28 Apr 23
I really hate what if's its nasty game I never play because it doesn't change anything. It's kind of like saying if I went back in time an changed this one thing but changing it would change everything. Same thing with what if it's asking to change something write what has already happened. I would rather keep moving forward.
2 people like this
@Jenaisle (14079)
• Philippines
28 Apr 23
Of course, you're right. In your case, you can do several versions of your characters' what-ifs because you're a good writer.
I once watched a movie in which two endings were depicted, in which the protagonist was shown choosing one option and what happened and then the other one and what would have happened.
1 person likes this
@Jenaisle (14079)
• Philippines
28 Apr 23
@ShyBear88 I see, your characters write the story themselves. That's a good concept. I like it. That's how it should be, but I can't seem to find this when I'm writing. I should take the hint from you. Thank you.
1 person likes this
@ShyBear88 (59306)
• Sterling, Virginia
28 Apr 23
@Jenaisle I don't even do what if's with my characters, just like in real word its hard to work what if a character did this or that. It's about do you want that character to do that or is your character speaking to you and it is what they are going to do. I run with base idea and my characters are the ones that write the story. I'm just the person putting it to words for them.
2 people like this
@RasmaSandra (74599)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
28 Apr 23
At my age now I have had all the What ifs in my life and all the outcomes and now I just sail along. And just for your pleasure my biggest WHAT IF was a long time ago it is What if I had not gone to Latvia with my mom, not met my soul mate, and not had the most wonderful 20 years of my life that outcome would have been devastating so glad the finger of fate pushed me along, Thank you for the suggestion @1creekgirl
3 people like this
@Jenaisle (14079)
• Philippines
29 Apr 23
I'm glad to hear that. I'm glad that it led to the most wonderful moments of your life. I was wondering why there was an influx of replies in the discussion. Thanks to you and to @1creekgirl
2 people like this
@TheHorse (208290)
• Walnut Creek, California
5 May 23
It's kind of wild to think that there are an infinite number of possibilities of "What if I had taken the other path at" certain crossroads. In my life, In wonder if I should have married Carol. I wonder if I should have stayed a physics major. I wonder if I should have studied more classical piano. Yikes. There are many more.
2 people like this
@Jenaisle (14079)
• Philippines
24 Jun
Oh, sorry, The Horse @TheHorse I must have missed your comment. I have read this only now. My bad.
Yes, there are infinite numbers of possibilities. If you have married Carol, you may have made it through life as well or if you have stayed in your physics major, you may now be in the academe, and if you studied more classical piano, you may have become famous like Ludwig van Beethoven.
I wish though that with the choices you previously made, you are happy and have kept going, and that's what really counts.
Have a great weekend. Sorry again for my sin of omission.
2 people like this
@Deepizzaguy (95995)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
28 Apr 23
I wanted to find work in the field of math problem solving.
2 people like this
@Jenaisle (14079)
• Philippines
28 Apr 23
@Deepizzaguy I understand, then you have it in your veins, so to speak. Well, it's not too late yet, I presume, for you to pursue your what-if!?
2 people like this
@Deepizzaguy (95995)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
28 Apr 23
@Jenaisle One of my relatives from my late dad's side of the family is Francois Viete (1540-1603) who was a mathematician from France.
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (160234)
• United States
29 Apr 23
So many "what ifs". I have dozens. One was what if I had joined the Navy. Would I have met and married my husband? Probably not.
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (160234)
• United States
29 Apr 23
@Jenaisle No I did not join the Navy. I thought about it very seriously at the time.
2 people like this
@Yadah04 (3363)
• Philippines
24 Apr 23
Yes, I have my own share of what-ifs too. Just like you, I wonder if I pursued the employment offered to me upon graduation rather than running my own business, I would have been one of those climbing up the corporate ladder. But still, I am glad that I pursued this path that I am in, less stressful and more focused on spiritual matters and my family.
3 people like this
@JamesHxstatic (29420)
• Eugene, Oregon
28 Apr 23
So many "ifs" in all our lives really. But I am in a very good place right now, so if I had taken other roads in life, I would be in a different place, with a different woman, perhaps, or no one, so in order to be "here" now, I had to choose the path I took.
2 people like this
@JamesHxstatic (29420)
• Eugene, Oregon
3 May 23
@Jenaisle Yes, I am happy with those choices.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40134)
• Laguna Woods, California
30 Apr 23
@Jenaisle - I think it is normal to "what if." However, we should not linger on those thoughts too long. We need to focus more on the life we are actually living. If something in it makes us unhappy, then we should take steps to change it. If something brings us great joy, we should relish it. The important thing is that we enjoy the life we actually have!
2 people like this
@just4him (310131)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
28 Apr 23
Yes, I have what if's in my life. My biggest one is what if my parents truly loved me. What kind of person would I be now? My youth shaped my life and the choices I made. Do I have regrets? Yes. But I also have blessings that far outweigh the regrets.
2 people like this
@andriaperry (116860)
• Anniston, Alabama
29 Apr 23
Yes, however, I know God had this plan for my life and I am where I'm supposed to be.
2 people like this
@andriaperry (116860)
• Anniston, Alabama
29 Apr 23
@Jenaisle to be determined to accomplish a task is also a lesson to us. The task was given to be accomplished.
2 people like this
