“Each day holds a fresh chance to reshape your life.” ~Unknown
You’re familiar with that moment. It strikes when you realize you did something you wish you hadn’t. Maybe you broke someone’s trust, and guilt floods in. Perhaps you jeopardized your job, and the fear of your world falling apart looms.
No matter the misstep, anxiety takes hold like scorching bowling balls in your stomach. Dramatic, yes, but regret seldom follows reason!
It’s that dreaded “Good God! Oh no! What was I thinking? Why me?” moment when two thoughts prevail:
- I shouldn’t have done that; fixing it seems impossible.
- I shouldn’t have done that; something important will be lost.
Frequently, both prove true. Actions have consequences; life entails losses. Yet, it’s not necessarily catastrophic.
Sometimes, losing paves the way for something new. Perhaps a lesson that enriches your future or an unanticipated possibility emerges. Like that dream deferred while toiling in the job now gone.
Alternatively, gains might not be instant. Let’s be frank; you’ll wish for a different route, grieve, and eventually let go.
But remember, you will let go and move forward.
You’re strong, smart, and capable. You’ll infuse this new direction with personal meaning. Offset loss with gains equally important—understanding strengths, a fresh self-concept, or a wiser second chance.
Granted, it’s tough when your dream job or a cherished person slips away. Yet, remember, you can still create meaning and fulfillment where you stand.
This is how I cast off regrets that cloud my optimism. Need more ideas to release regret?
Tiny Buddha’s Facebook community responds to “How do you let go of regrets?”
- Decide Without Regret: Choose wholeheartedly; mistakes are lessons, not regrets. (Amber Strange Banchev)
- Focus on Positives: Reflect on the good from the situation. (Ryan Cayabyab)
- Embrace the Journey: Trust experiences on your path, light and dark. (Debra Mericantante Anzalone)
- Detach from Emotions: Acknowledge, then release emotions. (Alexandria DaCosta)
- Time and Patience: Allow healing time. (Ben DeLong)
- Reflect, Learn, Forgive: Breathe, learn, move on. (Megan Corey)
- Change Next Time: Do better next time, no regrets. (Angie Thibault)
- Regret Wastes Time: Live in the present. (Neme Sis)
- Replace with Better: Find something better. (Vanessa Sah)
- Grow through Regret: Regrets foster growth. (Virginia Kiper)
Sometimes life demands grieving, no workaround. (Jacquie Pratt)
I never hold onto regrets. (Martine Eros)
Feel, learn, shed. (Susan Miley)
Regrets come and go like feelings. (Rebecca Tighe)
Turn regret into positive thoughts. (Theja Weeratne)
Bad decisions rectifiable with effort. (David Durtschi)
Feelings serve survival; deal, learn, let go. (Virginia Kiper)
Less regret, more love-filled now. (Susan Carol Luddeke)
Avoid ‘what if’ thinking. (Karyn Dillard)
Live with your heart. (Yen Mai)
How do you release regrets?
