Why Do People Take Things For Granted Till It's Too Late?

Question

Lliam · Accepted Answer

Such a good question. Been there, done that.
It's easy to cruise along on autopilot when you are comfortable and everything seems great. You can get lost in your own little world and inadvertently neglect others through thoughtlessness.
I can look back and see how relationships with some friends and even relatives diminished because I failed to stay in touch. There are things I wish I had said to loved ones before it was too late. Time just slides by.

There is only one romantic relationship in my life that I deeply regretted losing. I lived with that woman for over a year and loved her with my heart and soul. We both worked full time, but we took some really nice trips together and stayed and some wonderful hotels. We continually had the most amazing sex. I mean amazing! All the time.

We wound up separating for reasons that are too complicated to go into. She was fighting some of her own demons and I can now see that I was still a fairly self-centered dumb ass.

One thing she said to me was "You just want to be with me for the sex." I was too flabbergasted to ask why she thought that or what I could to to prove my love.

It took me years to realize that I hadn't done enough to prove how much I loved her. I worshiped the ground she walked on and I 'assumed' that she was as happy as I was. I thought taking vacations, going out to eat, going on fun day trips, and satisfying her sexually was proof that I loved her. But I don't remember asking her if she was happy, if there was anything else she desired, what could I do to help. I don't remember bringing many tokens of love to her like small gifts or flowers.

In the end, I think I did take her for granted. Despite all the other stuff she had on her plate, I think our breakup had a lot to do with my own failure.

I have to add that, although our separation made me feel like I was going to die and I was a basket case for almost a year, it turned our for the best. I learned lessons. I also wouldn't have met my wife who is the best thing that ever happened to me.

But we can't realize how clueless we are until we look back in hindsight. Regrets can be lessons.

TCredo · Accepted Answer

So much truth here Toots. Unfortunately I have done it too often - but do believe I've learned over time. When I was younger, heck, everything was going to last forever. But certainly as I got older and experienced more and different things, I think the appreciation developed for what your well placed memes say.

That said, I do know some younger folks who do seem to have this already figured out - and I know some folks my age who seem to have no clue lol... So to really answer your question, it would set-up for an interesting philosophical debate that probably would result in the question still not be fully answered lol :)

Edentina · Accepted Answer

To me, the basic reason why people take things for granted is the inability to differentiate wants from needs. These two might seem alike but they are quite different. Wants are things we absolutely desire to have, whether they have value or not. Needs are things that we should have because we cannot do without them, whether we value them or not. You might not value the air you breathe, your health, etc but you can't survive without them on the other hand, you might want to have, flashy cars, social media likes anf following but these things you can do without. It's like in a relationship, you might desire a sexy looking partner with a tone of cash. That is a want, not a need because they are not worth a person's character and who he or she is on the inside which is something you need because beauty fades, money could finish but character is enduring

Cynicaldreamer · Accepted Answer

Because people are ungrateful, selfish creatures. They don't appreciate something or someone until it's gone. Then they realise what they loss.

That's why I try (With strong emphasis on try, I am human) to appreciate the little things people say or do for me. You never know how it can impact you later.

ineedatan · Answer

Because many are blindsided by their own self to realize those around them, to invest time and slow time down by building memories. We live in a digital world where everything is fast paced and we forget how to personally connect with one another. Many also become complacent and cruise on life on "autopilot", forgetting to check in on one another or check in on themselves to see if there is any growth or changes they need to make before contiously moving forward.

nomadia · Answer

U never miss d water until d well runs dry... I think that pretty much sums it up. Sometimes we're too close to a situation to see what's wrong. It's only when we are forced to look at it from a different stand point or status that we really what was wrong and what was right

winterfox10 · Answer

Everybody always assumes that they will have more time to make things right, or they assume that the thing/person that they are taking for granted understands and is okay with them doing what they are doing. I realized earlier this week that even a year on from breaking up with my ex; some of our mutual friends who took her side have been sabotaging my relationships/friendships with other women. My ex took me for granted, and now she hates me, she punishes me, because I didn't stick around.

888theGreat · Answer

It is human nature, but I would like to this question is tied into the election. If Biden wins and DNC selects his positions , you will lose all your freedoms and they will be gone forever, so don't take THINGS FOR GRANTED people. I know what you are thinking, only I could turn this question into political propaganda. Kissy Kissy!

Tstrbrainer · Answer

Because there's a part in us unwilling to face harsh realities.
Even when things start to fall, we sometimes have an unhealthy confidence.

We sink too much in the comforts of our lives and thinks that anything else could wait for tomorrow.

Jjpayne · Answer

Because we never really take the time to think in the moment. We always just assume the moment will be there tomorrow, until tomorrow does not provide it

Vmm90 · Answer

I believe as the saying goes we dont know how good something is until it is gone. It's an unfortunate way to learn something but reality none the less.

humanearth · Answer

Because we get comfortable with ever it is.

Best sample for being taking for granted... clean drinking water.

Look hoe that gets wasted. Watering the lawn, swimming pools, washing cars and other stuff

Now think how much we polute it.

Now think if water was super rare. Would you still treat it the same way?

Konabeana · Answer

Because they don’t see the value in the things they have until they are able to recognize that things value once it is out of their reach

DizzyDesii · Answer

Cause they dont plan. I know planning is not good but i still like to be organized and prepared for the “what ifs”

ucanthandlthetruth · Answer

I think because people that have lived blessed lives where things come as easy as 123 and ABC, have had that way for so long that they have no idea whatsoever to be a have not.

CrystalSnowflakes · Answer

Why do the dead get more flowers than the living? Because regret is stronger than gratitude.

COMMODOREII · Answer

*really big hug*

loveslongnails · Answer

Because you don't miss your water till the well runs dry.

nodnol32 · Answer

Sadly its our human nature. We only value something once its not in our possession and gone forever.

Liam_Hayden · Answer

Human nature?

TeddyGotT · Answer

Some people are short sighted and can't think critically, that usually leads them to taking things for granted

venomhbk1313 · Answer

Because some people do not understand how things are like you said they take it for granite and then when it's too late they cannot take it back

pigoat · Answer

a lot of my family members are like that and while they get fucked over in the end they don't get fucked over hard enough so it won't be so bad next time Cycle continues

bannacookies · Answer

I think some are afraid they'll get hurt in some way, so they're standoffish until it is too late.

lolcraft · Answer

I believe there is a phrase, but if I write it there's a probability I'd get taken down by the Rolling Stones.

simplelikeme · Answer

Because they are narcissist LMAO they only care about themselves and nobody else.

Reign_Interrupted · Answer

Because too many people count on tomorrows when tomorrow isn't promised to anybody.

msc545 · Answer

People don't like to contemplate losing things they love - until they do.

AngieDD · Answer

Because they forget how badly that wanted it, get too comfortable and start to take things for granted... then it’s a downward spiral of degeneration from there.

DanaeAdam5 · Answer

Cause that's human nature.

JesseCraft · Answer

I'm not sure, some people just realize too late

legalboxers · Answer

we think it will be forever

GreenGold1992 · Answer

That's just the way it is

mrgspoter · Answer

Sometimes out belief of more time

Anonymous · Answer

Human nature.

Why Do People Take Things For Granted Till It's Too Late?

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Why Do People Take Things For Granted Till It's Too Late?

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