Tom - my immediate reaction was the exact opposite - so I let things marinate a bit before responding.

We're different

I wasted my 20s with a variety of adventures that form the core of my story and identity. I lived on a boat and taught waterskiing, I luged at Lake Placid, I made dozen or more N/S trips the length of the west coast, met a girl I thought I'd marry (thank god no), wrote music, took photographs and mostly just figured shit out. For most of the time I was scrounging seat cushions for gas money, used a sleeping bag more than a bed, buried some family members, and knew I would live forever.

Nearly 60 now and have reinvented my career several times over - currently working as a Sr. Product Manager for a Fortune 50 company with a mortgage, 2 amazing teenage boys, and have been with my wife for almost 30 years. (And although intellectually I know I won't live forever, I usually act like I will)

I work with brilliant people 1/2 my age who didn't "waste" their 20s and I don't envy them for a second.

Our journeys and stories are different. You've learned the thing you needed, just as I did. Can't wait to come across a post somewhere in 10 years from Tom Kuegler entitled "I'm grateful for my 20s and how they prepped me for my 30s".

Sometimes we can only see the path when we look backwards.