Ask HN: How do you deal with missing out on the Facebook money train?

Like many folks on here, I've had opportunities over the years to join Facebook as an engineer. The first was ~3.5 years ago, and many times since.

Unfortunately for me, I declined each time. Instead, I chose to go the entrepreneurial route. I love what I do, and I've built something users love. It makes money, but nowhere near what it needs to for me to see a big payout. I draw a modest salary, and although I'm not struggling to pay bills I could obviously use more money.

Many friends I worked with ended up going to Facebook, and will see windfalls soon. Most won't need to work for the rest of their lives. Some will forget me and other friends who didn't 'make it'. Some will still remain friends. I wish only the best for them - they've worked hard and deserve every bit of their success. I hold no ill-will towards them.

But I will forever have to live with a "what if..." in my life. A few million dollars go a long way in changing around your life.

There are many ways to rationalize decisions of the past. I've read the post by the guy who didn't accept the offer from Instagram before their huge exit. I don't feel the same way, but then I don't know if I would've done things differently if I had a chance to go back. I learnt a lot, got a ton of experience and built skills I couldn't have at Facebook. I can't rationalize that being worth a few million bucks though. I'm conflicted, and I need to talk about it because it distracts me from what I need to get done.

I'm sure there are others like me. What do you guys think about when you think of such missed opportunities?