Aesop's Fables cautions that you should be careful what you wish for because the reality might not match expectations.
The irony is evident in many examples, one of which includes being a lottery winner.
Sure, accumulating mass wealth sounds amazing, but there are plenty of those who have hit the jackpot and wound up becoming depressed due to the unfamiliarity of having to manage finances.
Curious to hear examples of the grass is greener on the other side, Redditor Penguin633 asked:
"What is something you thought you wanted, but really regretted afterwards?"
Sometimes, it's hard to imagine jobs being something other than what it actually is: miserable work.
Dream Job
"Working a job that involves skills from one of my hobbies. Now it feels more like work than the hobby."
– isaacthememeboi
When Passions Become Work
"Work doing something you love and you’ll never work a day in your life."
"Bullsh*t. It makes you hate the thing that you love because most people have to work for someone else who sets the rules and conditions and deadlines."
– Reloaded9mm
Nightmare Company
"The job I am currently in. The work is alright, but the company is sh*t."
– [deleted]
The Baker's Experience
"A business. Supposedly my dream job….but I haaaate it. * Edit* - Wow! I see I’m not alone. Yes, I own a bakery that I’ve run for 13 years. It’s successful, always paid its bills….but it’s definitely zapped the joy out of a hobby. Anyone that has worked with the public knows it’s taxing. I’ve lost the creative aspect and just feel like a slave to it honestly. Bakery hours can be rough, so maybe it’s the lack of sleep catching up to me, lol. I just know that I was already feeling burned out, but now with the insane increase to costs of supplies - and the unpredictability of finding certain things altogether, I’ve decided this will be my last year in business."
– acefrosting
Those who thought they could live on the wild side had another thing coming.
Adrenaline Junkies
"It's those Redbull GoPro youtube videos. You watch a motherf**ker jump off a balloon from the edge of space, or wing suit through a canyon with one of those strapped to his head, and it makes you want to get adventurous."
– lou_sassoles
For The Sake Of Footage
"I made that mistake too. Thrice."
"And even though I used it for some 'cool' activities; turns out reliving hours of your day in hopes to assemble a couple minutes of exciting footage is a real struggle."
"But if anyone wants to watch hours of me skiing groomers interrupted by the occasional lame jump: I'm your guy!"
– sketchcott
Get That Cardio
"A Dance Dance Revolution Real Dance Pad."
"First 2 paychecks I received when I was 16. Bought a $500 DDR (over 15 years ago) and used it about 20 hours that first week. Then about 20 hours for the next two years. Sold at garage sale for $25."
– CPWho80
Failed Fantasy
"This one time i was very horny and was thinking with the little brain and i got me a 700$ pussy/a** sex doll. its so much trouble to prep, clean and maintain that i ended up using it like 8 times before throwing it away."
– fxm87
Regretful Splurge
"Buying a new ski boat. Expensive, too big to keep in the garage and burned $80 in gas in an afternoon (when gas was still affordable). Mostly I pulled the kids and their friends on wake boards or kneeboards around and around in circles while the air temperature was close to 100 and came home dehydrated and with a headache. A happy day is when you buy a boat. A happier day is when you sell that b*tch."
– BreakingBad2014
On the flip side, some may choose to be more sedentary.
Magic Chair
"Massage chair. I enjoyed the demo in the shop, that's about it."
– General-Permission-5
Niche Interest
"Waterbed. Biggest waste of money. Spent 1k on the most uncomfortable bed ever. Practically broke my back and sold it for 100 after just a year of using it."
– TallAFTobs
It Comes With The Territory
"A backyard pool."
"I always wanted one until I had one. It was a huge pain in the @ss. Had to buy chemicals, had to test the water, had to clean it, found dead snakes in the skimmer baskets, had to get the pump replaced, etc."
– Lenny_III
Total Lethargy
"PCP. It’s definitely not an experience you want unless you’re looking for that 'I’m f'king dying' feeling."
– Bjorn_Suicide
When it comes to trying new tasting experiences, embrace yourselves for the worst...or something even worse.
Getting A Taste
"When I was a kid, I was insistent on having a ketchup and mustard sandwich. I begged my mom to make it for me. My rationale was if a hamburger was delicious on a bun with ketchup and mustard, surely a sandwich minus the meat would be great. My Mom finally made the sandwich. I immediately regretted it."
– sarahels
Scrumptious Joy
"That 2 lb novelty Reese Cup. I regretted how good it was."
– UnusualPost
I've experienced regret whenever I would jump on a new fashion trend.
Many years ago, overalls were a thing. I begged my mom to get me a pair, but she insisted I keep saving my allowance and get them myself so that I could learn to appreciate them more.
When I finally got a pair, the fad was fleeting and I was literally the only dork wearing GAP overalls by the time the next school semester started.
I realized I only bought them because everyone else was wearing them. And while they looked "cool" and current in them, they just never were a good aesthetic fit for me.
Lesson learned.
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