If I Could Go Back In Time

07-25-2025

We all dream of rewinding time.

If I could go back in time, I wouldn’t waste a second. Most of us reflect on youth with a bittersweet mix of memories and missed chances. We tell ourselves that with age comes wisdom—and it does—but it also brings regret. There’s always that one thing we’d whisper to our 20-year-old selves if given the chance.

Collections often hold hidden value.

For me, the regret centers around coin collecting. As a teenager, I built a solid stash of key-date coins. They lived inside those classic blue Whitman albums that every serious collector remembers. I had no idea then how valuable some of those coins would become. Unfortunately, youthful impatience got the best of me.

Trends can shift your passion.

During that time, grading services gained popularity. Suddenly, coins weren’t just “uncirculated”—they were MS-60, MS-65, MS-70. The fun of it began to fade as experts took over. Coin collecting changed from a personal hobby into a technical game. As a result, I moved on too soon.

Youthful urges often sabotage patience.

Like many others, I traded up or sold off to pursue the next shiny thing. If I could go back in time, I would keep every piece. I’d store it safely and not touch it until age 50. That box of memories would now be worth far more than I imagined.

Quality always beats quantity.

Back then, I did make one smart move: I focused on value. I didn’t buy junk. Every coin, card, or item I collected had intrinsic worth. Yet that didn’t stop me from selling too soon. Youth rarely value what time eventually honors.

Don’t underestimate your future self.

To anyone in their 20s or 30s—please, stash that collection. Box it, seal it, and forget about it. Please resist the temptation to flip it for short-term thrills. If you do, your 50-year-old self will thank you a hundred times over.

The urge to flip fades.

If I could go back in time, I would choose patience. The biggest lessons come with years, not impulse. Hold on to what you value today, because tomorrow, it might be priceless.

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