If I Could Turn Back Time… Would I?

From Cher’s iconic 80s hit “If I Could Turn Back Time” to the age-old question—what would you do differently if you could rewind the clock?

Let me be clear: this isn’t about regrets. That’s a whole other blog. Honestly, we shouldn’t dwell on regret. Those moments were lessons learned, stepping stones to where we are now. Hopefully, we’ve moved forward, wiser and stronger.

Lately, there’s been a lot happening—my son’s high school graduation, the school year winding down, and conversations swirling about his next chapter: university. One recent question really struck me—Is taking an extra year a waste of time? Absolutely not. Learning is never a waste of time.

I’ve always been curious—hungry for new ideas, perspectives, and experiences. Well… except maybe rugby. That one went over my head, but hey, I tried (bad joke, I know). Watching my 17-year-old face the world, I find myself thinking—what’s one year in the grand scheme of things? Easy for me to say, right? But when you pause and realize how fast life flies by, it can be a little overwhelming. At 53, I’m past the halfway point, which makes my new mantra simple: Live life in the moment—don’t wait for the moment to live.

So, what would I do if I could turn back time?

Fix a mistake? Try something new? Stay a little longer with someone who, in hindsight, might have been right? We all have those “would have, should have” thoughts. Like… what was I thinking with those perms in high school? (Maybe I would’ve had more dates if my hair didn’t resemble a poodle.)

But here’s the truth: every misstep, every odd choice—even “Adventure Guy”—led me here. If I hadn’t had that phase, I might not have met my husband, had our children, formed these friendships, or built this life I cherish.

I sometimes wonder, what if I had gone to university? I didn’t. If I had, I probably wouldn’t have met my husband, since I would’ve been a couple of years ahead of him. If I’d traveled more in my 20s, my life could’ve taken a completely different path. Changing the past isn’t a simple fantasy—because every change has ripples. You can’t know what you’re giving up, even if you think you’re chasing something better. What if this life, the one we’re living now, is actually the best version so far?

We all face daily challenges. Like decluttering a closet, life sometimes requires us to edit—remove what no longer fits and keep what brings joy. That applies to habits, jobs, relationships, and yes, people too.

To my son—and to anyone wondering if they should take a longer path—I say: you do you. Your life is your lab, your experiment, your creation. There’s no single right way. All roads, with time, lead to your version of success. That extra year? It could bring unexpected opportunities: new friendships, travel, personal growth, or the job you never knew you wanted.

No, we can’t turn back time. But we can move forward—intentionally, bravely, and fully awake to the beauty of now. Take the long road. Savour the detours. Embrace the surprises.

Going back? Nah. I’m more interested in going forward—living it right, the first time, eyes wide open.

LC

xo