What Is the Biggest Regret This Year... Not Spending Time with Family or Exercising?

The Biggest Regret Is "Not Investing"

A survey revealed that the thing people regret most this year is 'not investing.'

Rental conversion (RX) startup Prefins and psychological counseling specialist HelloSmile disclosed the results of a survey on the theme 'My Biggest Regret This Year' in their 'This and That Research: Year-End Psychological Review' on the 27th. The term 'Kkeolmusae' is a newly coined word meaning someone who repeatedly utters the phrase '~should have done' like a parrot when regretting something.

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The survey results showed that the most regretted thing this year was 'I should have invested,' accounting for 28%, ranking first. This is interpreted as reflecting situations such as apartment prices in major areas of Seoul hitting record highs despite high interest rates, and Bitcoin surpassing 100 million won for the first time ever.

The second most regretted was 'I should have spent more time with my family' (20%), followed by ▲'I should have exercised' (15%) ▲'I should have cut down on spending' (12%) ▲'I should have dated more actively' (11%). Other responses included ▲'I should have traveled more' (8%) and ▲'I should have studied or read more' (6%).

When asked to rate themselves for this year, 71% of respondents gave themselves scores in the 70s or higher, showing a tendency to acknowledge their efforts over the year.

Specifically, 35% gave themselves scores in the 70s, the largest group, followed by 25% who gave scores in the 80s, ranking second. Those who rated themselves between 70 and 80 accounted for 60%, more than half. The rest were ▲60s (18%) ▲below 50s (11%) ▲90s (8%) ▲100 points (3%).

The topics of counseling for users who visited psychological counseling centers this year showed clear generational differences.

First, Generation Z (late 1990s to late 2000s) had many concerns about 'self-care' to find emotional stability and 'respecting introversion,' which involves reducing energy consumption in social relationships and focusing on oneself.

Millennials (early 1980s to mid-1990s) frequently sought counseling related to a 'growth mindset' that views failure as part of growth and 'boreout syndrome,' which involves feeling bored and disillusioned from continuing work that does not fit their aptitude.

Generation X (late 1960s to late 1970s) had many consultations about the 'midlife crisis,' feeling anxious about independence after retirement, and 'family relationships,' concerning responsibilities for supporting children and elderly parents.

Baby Boomers (mid-1940s to mid-1960s) mainly sought psychological counseling focused on 'reflection and introspection,' looking back on past experiences to find meaning and learning, and maintaining 'peace of mind.'

This survey was analyzed based on data from 278 visitors to the Prefins website and visitors to the HelloSmile psychological counseling center from the 1st to the 20th of this month.