12 People Share What They Regret Finding Out

People often say they prefer to know the truth. Honesty is one of the top-rated characteristics in a successful relationship, for example. At work, too, people want to know if they're doing a good job. One survey found that 88% of employees would want to know if their performance is poor.

But do we want to know the truth, even if it's a hard truth? Henry David Thoreau summarized his two years of simple living in the conclusion of Walden: "Rather than love, than money, than fame, give me truth." So, some prefer honesty above all else.

On the other hand, as Lizzo poignantly truth hurts. These people certainly know as they shared some wild stories of finding out something they later wished they hadn't. The stories came pouring out after one netizen asked, "What did you regret finding out?"

12 PHOTOS

#1

At the funeral, my aunt told me that my brother was not my brother. My parents took in the son of a family friend when I was 2 and raised him as their own. When I was 12 and he was 23, he was hit and killed by a drunk driver. I was crying and my aunt told me to stop being a whiny baby and that I had nothing to cry about because he wasn't even my brother. I looked up to him and I loved him so much. I miss you, Russell. No matter what, you are my brother.

I edited it to let everyone know this happened 40 years ago and I am okay. The b***h is dead. She got cancer and she did suffer and I did not go to her funeral.

#2

If I don’t initiate contact with my friends they would never reach out or message me ever.

#3

My mother moved back to her home country when I was 9. I was always told she could never come back to my country due to visa/immigration issues. She confirmed last year that this was not the case and she could come back any time. I realized she chose not to. Ouch.

#4

When my grandmother died my mom had me send her ( my grandmother's) engagement ring back to her second husband's family. She had it for 25 years, so it was a bit of a project but I did it.

When my mom passed away 2 years ago I found my grandmother's will. That ring was the only thing my grandmother had left for me. I always wondered why she left me out of her will because we were so close.

#5

Finding out someone died when I thought they were just living a great life.

#6

Triple whammy. My stepmom was a raging alcoholic. My dad worked on the north slope (Alaska). He was gone for 2-6 weeks at a time.

She would spend the whole time he was gone plastered, and she was not fond of me living there. When I was 14 and she was p**s drunk and mad at life, she told me that my dad wasn't my real dad. That my mom was a cheating s**t and he took care of me out of pity. I called my dad after I got her to go lay down and he admitted it was true.

2 years later she killed herself by taking a ton of morphine and chugging a few fifths of vodka. I didn't think it was intentional but her sister came and handed me the suicide note where she said she was killing herself because she hated having me in her life and couldn't be with my dad without having me around. My dad didn't talk to me for 8 years after that.

I tried to go live with my mom afterward, and she said I couldn't live with her. She admitted that she was addicted to meth and couldn't support me and her habit. She died 6 years later.

Edit* for people's peace of mind, I'm in a much better place in life currently. I. I'm doing much better, and I've built myself a nice little life. While not flawless or without my share of mistakes, I'm proud of what I've accomplished and how far I've come. Me and my dad have a much better relationship. Before my mom died, she got sober for nearly a full year. She was well enough in her recovery to meet my children before she passed and spent that year being the world's best grandma. Thank you all for the care, concern, and well wishes.

#7

I regret finding out that 'ADULTING' isn’t a temporary phase but a lifelong sentence with no chance of parole.

#8

People will treat you better when you have money.

#9

At 35 I finally realized I never had parents, and to this day don’t have a support system. It’s just me out here on a big rock floating through space. I have people in my life, even a girlfriend, but nobody ever feels close to me.

#10

Overheard my best friend being asked why they let me hang around them. Their answer was it was out of pity.

#11

Finding out the one I loved had someone else in his bed almost every week.
Just end things and leave, don’t cheat for months and months.

#12

Way back in the day, I searched my name in my long-term girlfriend’s gchat log. I quickly found a chat between her and one of her friends discussing how stupid I was for not realizing she cheated over the summer, and how sick of me she was. Ouchy.