Minimizing Regret

Minimizing Regret

Many of us are afraid to take chances. We won’t ask the cute person in Apartment B out for coffee. We stop ourselves from applying for the promotion or starting our dream business. We ignore our passions.


This can leave us full of regret when we look back on our lives. We wish we would have taken more chances or done things differently. Here's how you can minimize those feelings of regret:


1. Make Your Family Your #1 Priority

No one looks back on their life and wishes they had spent more time working. When you make your family the number one priority in your life, you make better decisions, leading to fewer regrets.


2. Nurture Your Soul

You are more than a body and a brain. You have needs that reach deep into your soul. Nurture your spirituality through participation in self-discovery, meditation, religious worship or other means.


3. Never Stop Learning

The end of school doesn't mean the end of learning. You will never regret learning something new about the world (or yourself). Be true to your passions and start learning more about the things that excite you.


4. Choose Your Words Carefully

Lashing out in anger or other intense emotions is never a great idea. You can't take hurtful things you've said back. You will have far fewer regrets if you take time to calm down before speaking in highly stressful situations.



5. Take Care of Your Health

Many regrets stem from not being able to physically do the things we'd still like to do. You only have one body. It's wise to take good care of it. You won't be young forever.


6. Forgive Others

Holding onto grudges hurts you more than other people. Many people end up regretting not forgiving others when they had the chance. Don't be that person; learn to forgive when it is appropriate.


7. Get What YOU Want Out of Life

You can minimize regrets by ensuring you live the life you want to lead. Your choices don't have to please everyone. You don't have to cave to societal norms if they make you unhappy.


8. Get Uncomfortable

Our biggest regrets come from opportunities or risks we passed on because they were outside our comfort zone. You can minimize regret by taking more strategic risks and getting uncomfortable sometimes.


9. Forget Regret

Why bother regretting anything? You are who you are because of the sum of your life choices. You have no idea how different choices may have impacted your life. Be content with and celebrate your uniqueness - who you are, what you have, and everything you experienced.

 

 FAST-ACTION STEPS

 

✅ Why not make a regret list? List things you will regret doing when you look back on your life, and then a list of activities you definitely won't regret. Spend more time doing things from the won't regret list.

 

Write a bucket list and keep it handy. Look at it often and try to check off as many dreams, hopes, or goals as possible.

 

Think about your grudges. Are there any you might be willing to give up? People who genuinely seemed remorseful and have already reached out to make amends might be worth your forgiveness.

 

Quote

 “You are the one that possesses the keys to your being. You carry the passport to your own happiness.” – Diane von Furstenberg

 

Coming Up in Next Week's Issue: It's Okay to Be Selfish

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