Here's how to use regrets to improve ourselves

There are no regrets in life -- only lessons learned.

Regretting that which is now in the past -- and thus cannot be changed -- serves absolutely no purpose but to make us feel dejected.

Learn from your mistakes so that you're not doomed to repeat them.

In that way, you're actually channeling all that negativity into something positive and constructive. Regrets, then, can help facilitate growth so long as we have the right mindset.

Let's suppose you cheated on a wonderful man or woman -- a terrible mistake you refuse to forgive yourself for.

If you already apologized to your ex and have pledged to remain faithful to future partners, what more can you really do? Move on, and if you've learned anything from your misstep, you'll know not to jeopardize a relationship ever again.

The same reasoning applies to missed job opportunities, friendships gone awry, or any other situations that would have turned out much more favorably had you behaved differently.

Refusing to let things go is a surefire recipe for bitterness, anxiety, and depression. The longer you're trapped in a vicious cycle of blame and negativity, the harder it becomes to come out of it.

Sometimes things work out for the best. In the example above concerning cheating, each of you may very well end up with a partner you deem better than your last.

Again, as long as we put our mistakes to work for us -- and advise people against making the same mistakes we did -- there's no reason to harbor regrets.

Let the past go as you make the most of the present and plan for the future. Don't blame others for your mistakes along the way, however. We must all live with the consequences of our actions, and pointing the finger never resolves anything.

In sum, unless we're not careful, we'll one day find ourselves regretting having spent so much time regretting -- if that makes any sense.

Comments

La said…

Awesome! Thank you.

January 16, 2019 at 9:44 AM

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