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How to Stop Living with Regrets

Regret - that very human experience of feeling sad about an event or decision. Even when the source of regret happened years ago, it’s not uncommon for someone to hold on to those feelings, wishing that we could change the past. And while we can't travel back in time to change our mistakes, we can learn from our mistakes and move forward. One of the best ways to let go of the past is to live in the present. By focusing on today, you'll be able to release your need for perfection and make peace with your past.
Focusing on today is the only way to free yourself from grudges from the past. By living in the moment and not regretting the past or worrying about the future, you'll be able to live your best life. But that's easier said than done. What can you do to stop living in regret and embrace the present? Try these:
1. Decide what you want. One of the biggest reasons for living in regret is not knowing what we desire. While it's easy to put off making a decision due to fear of commitment, we can't start the process of living in the present without deciding what we desire in life.

  • Make a list of goals you want to achieve, and then commit to following through. Thinking about what you want instead of what you regret in the past. This will help you focus on the present.

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Photo by Liza Summer from Pexels.com

2. Discover your underlying fears. When you make decisions from a place of fear, it's easy to get stuck in regret. There are many ways to express fear, but what is common to all is that we have difficulty accepting our faults and limitations.

  • If you want to be less caught up in regret, you have to start examining your fears. Some excuses like lack of time to pursue a goal or not meeting the right people may stem from something much more profound. 
  •  Uncovering the root of your fears means learning to accept them, and once you do that, you'll be in a much more positive mental space. 
 

3. Try going with the flow. We all get in a rut from time to time. We may think we know what we want, but we get stuck in the same routine repeatedly. The result is living in the past, rehashing past mistakes and feeling miserable. But there's no point in living in the past.

  • The past is in the past, and the future is a mystery. So, what do we have control over? We have control over our present moment. Going with the flow doesn't mean facing life without a plan. It means letting go of the need to control everything.

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Image by Mohamed Hassan from Pixabay

4. Make time for your friends and loved ones. Everyone has a limited amount of time to give to loved ones. Use that time wisely. Say no to unnecessary activities and projects. Stay away from those who drain your energy and give your time to those who need it.

  • We live in a world where social media and technology rule our lives. These have a negative psychological effect on us. Try not to be a slave to technology and let yourself take a break from social media. 
  •  Don't allow the negative voices in your head to overshadow the positive ones. Be grateful for what you have in your life and let go of anything that is not serving you positively.

Living in the past or living in regret is something we all do. If you've let regrets get the better of you, it's time to change. There are many ways to live your best life, and one of them is by making peace with your regrets and embracing the present.

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Author

  • Angel Lewis

    A bit about me. I was born and raised in rural North Carolina, and currently call Virginia home. My passion for writing was awakened while attending Guilford College (Greensboro, NC). In 2021, I published my first book 'My Self-Care Plan: 12 Monthly Strategies That Will Transform Your Life'. It inspires readers to make self-care a priority during the next 12 months so that they can live their best life possible. The spring of 2022 saw the release of 'Ready. Set. Fly!' my debut children’s book that encourages self-belief and perseverance.

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3 thoughts on “How to Stop Living with Regrets

  1. This is the right post at the right time for me! I am about to become an empty nester and need to put the past behind me and focus on the present and the future. Great ideas here. You’ve given me a lot to think about.

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