Peter

Yes, you are correct it is a sense of what is really missing now. Actions and decisions made along time ago were done with free will, both heart and  mind. But, with rose tinted nostalgic glasses then it may feel like you missed out on some possibilities that were there for the taking .

The internet does not help , before events and people were distant memories but now it is possible to reconnect or see what they are doing now. This colours the “what if “ imagination.

Also, in your youth life is full of options and possibilities. In your youth you believe you have time to change course and reverse . However, life marches on, and decisions made have consequences that frame your life . As you get older your options shut down , a good life leads to stagnation.

Reinventing your self is key, expose yourself to new possibilities , new risks . The challenge is knowing where to start

Tony