Why You Need To Stop Regretting Over Your Mistakes

ayushjalan (65)in #life • 6 years ago (edited)

I've made a lot of mistakes in my life, and I'm pretty sure you have too. Sometimes we just can't help but regret over the stupid mistakes we've made in the past and think about what would things be like if we did or said something different.

We all have our own regrets, but we rarely ever talk about them openly. Even if it's our close friends or family, we still choose to hide our mistakes because we can't risk or afford to be embarrassed and feel the remorse once again.

I understand that it can be even harder for some people and how they no longer feel in control to make their own decisions, but the sooner we realise that regrets are only lessons and nothing more, the sooner we can free ourselves from the chains of guilt.

Your Past Doesn't Own You.

It never did, it never will. Sure, you can feel trapped and insecure at times, but the choices and decisions you make in and for your life are always your own, even if they may not seem like it at first.

Many people, without admitting it, live in the wrong belief that they are forbidden to do anything remotely close to any of their big mistakes from the past and that they will fail if they even try to do so. But the truth is, you're free to build your own future whenever and however you like. Your past sure does influence your future, but only if you let it.

I remember how I used to stop myself from doing certain things or meeting certain people just because I messed up the first time or my first impression was bad and I thought that I would make things worse if I approached them a second time. Of course, after a few years, I realized how ridiculous I was being because of that way of thinking.

See Regret As A Lesson.

Think about it. The only reason you regret in the first place is because you realized your own flaws, and that's exactly what self-development is! To know that you f*cked up and that you choose to learn from your regrets instead of avoiding them.

Besides, you can't succeed if you never fail, right? Most people see regret as a sign of failure, when in reality, it is a sign of progress. It's a sign that you are growing as a person and are beginning to learn more about yourself from yourself.

We all have experienced shame at least once in our lifetime, and mainly it is because of our underachievements. Whether it's an academic underachievement, or a financial one, we all start doubting that we're not 'good enough'. But isn't challenging your own abilities and learning from your mistakes is what life is all about?