13 decisions you need to make by 45 so you don’t have regrets at 70
Life moves on so fast, whether you realize it or not.
Most people spend their 20s having fun, their 30s and 40s building
their careers and families, and in their 60s,
they sit down to pass their knowledge to the new generation or reminisce.
In our 70s, we are either full of regrets or gratitude.
Regrets at that age are painful because there is no going back.
One thing I realized is that life flows like a river;
it never goes backward,
and you will never get a second chance
to experience the same moment again.
The decisions in this article come from the experiences
of many different people who lived long enough
to understand life better than us.
Here are the 13 decisions you need to make by 45 so you don’t have regrets at 70:
1. Prioritize your health over your career
In your 40s, you no longer have the same energy you had in your 20s.
Your health is worth more than your career, ambition, and status.
We usually don’t give our health that much importance
and sacrifice it for our ambitions and dreams.
But what’s the point of achieving everything you have dreamed
of if you are not healthy enough to enjoy it?
Money, fame, status, and attention feel meaningless
if you need 10 pills just to feel happy, don’t have real friends,
and don’t have a family that loves you.
Learn to balance your life and know your priorities.
2. Building relationships matters more than building a business
A thriving business with an empty home is just hollow success.
Invest in relationships with the same intention as you invest in your career.
Take care of your family and reach out to your friends.
I understand life is busy, but take some time and call them.
3. Creating a financial cushion > showing off status
If you still care that much about what others think of you in your 40s,
you need a reality check.
A car loan at 30 can turn into a financial burden at 45.
Focus on building assets that serve you while others focus on appearances.
Respect beats cheap attention every time.
4. Develop emotional intelligence
IQ may help you land a job, but EQ determines
how far you go and who stands with you at the top.
Learn to understand people and manage yourself.
It is not always about promotions at your job
or the next business milestone;
sometimes it is about the inward journey.
Who are you when you are alone, with family, and with friends?
5. Control your feed
Your feed trains your brain each day.
If you scroll through drama all day,
your mind starts to think in drama.
When you fill your feed with useful content, you feel calmer and grow.
Follow growth channels that focus on self-awareness, spirituality,
and life in general.
We all need people who are naturally gifted
with wisdom and common sense.
6. Create a learning system
Don’t stop learning when you graduate from college.
A mind that stops learning stops growing.
Learning is a lifelong journey.
Continuous learning is your ticket to progress.
Dedicate part of your time to growth, or risk your skills
becoming outdated quickly,
especially in the current age of artificial intelligence.
7. Choose your environment wisely
You reflect the five people you spend the most time with.
The people you surround yourself with are very important
because they affect your decisions, mindset, and lifestyle.
Surround yourself with people who are constantly improving,
have goals and dreams, are happy and grateful, and are ambitious.
It is not just weekends and drinks.
If you’re the most accomplished person in the room,
it’s time to find a new one.
8. Process childhood trauma
Unresolved pain at 30 can lead to toxic bonds at 40 and isolation at 50.
Therapy isn’t weakness — it’s strength.
I have a lot of childhood trauma,
and it always resurfaces in crucial moments.
Ever since I started journaling, being honest with myself,
I turned these unresolved traumas into strength.
9. Invest in skills, not diplomas
The market doesn’t care about degrees — it values solutions.
Discover your strengths and master them.
10. Learn from those who’ve already walked the path
A good mentor can save you years of trial and error.
They will save you time by helping you avoid beginner
mistakes and errors.
They will teach you what is important and valuable.
You may have many mentors in life; they are very important.
11. Take care of your back
Your spine has no “undo” button.
Invest in a quality mattress, an ergonomic chair, and regular exercise.
12. Create passive income
Start building assets that earn for you around the clock.
Time is the only non-replaceable resource; learn how to monetize it.
13. Focus on your growth
It is your life.
