I don't look at it as wasted time. Yes I used up a lot of time in the past as a jw but I would have used the time anyway.
Because of my jw upbringing I
don't smoke cigarettes
have developed a solid work ethic
have the ability to deal with the public
This can be argued that if I wasn't a jw I might be doing these things anyway. That is true. No one can choose where they are born or what their religious upbringing is.
because of my jw upbringing I
didn't attend university thus not earning a degree( in my case it doesn't matter because my trade is so specialized they don't teach it in trade schools thus there is a shortage of qualified people in my field driving up wages much higher than most university graduates earn . If that matters anyway . You have to love what you are doing the money is secondary)
never dated anyone other than my wife( been married 30 years!)
never experimented with drugs until later in life(mj is not what they say it is so I didn't miss out on much )
Did I waste time as a jw? Yup
Would I have wasted time as a non jw? yup
Does it matter and does anyone care? Nope