Never Look Back... Let Go of REGRET | #fakeituntilyoumakeit LINK UP

After another foot-meet-mouth cringeworthy gaff (that I won't share with you here, but I will tell you my face was in my hands afterwards) it got me thinking about regret.

Regret is a toxic emotion, isn't it?

Regret can eat you up inside.
Knock your confidence.
Tarnish your memories.
Sour your present and taint your future.

It's utterly pointless.
Unfortunately we all feel it from time to time don't we?
Some of us get the odd twinge of cringe (like me!).
For others, regret can become obsessive.

{Of course there are some people who never feel regret, but I think they're called sociopaths... and you don't want to be one of those!}

Regret can be caused by something as silly as making a comment that you intended to be funny but ended up falling flat (cue tumbleweed).

Some decisions are more serious and may have resulted in the loss of work, a home or even a loved one.
Serious regrets are not to be dismissed lightly!

Regret that stems from big things takes time to mourn and heal.

Today I'm focusing on the wee things, but the ethos remains the same.
In life we all need (and deserve) to move forward, regardless of the past.

3 Ways to Let Go of Regret

1. Accept your (imperfect) self

Whatever the size of your regret, from a careless word to a major f**k up, accept that the person you were in that moment thought it was the right thing to do/say.
Whether you were trying to make a situation better.
Or, you thought your actions would help.

There was a reason you did what you did.
Accept that you made a mistake.
Forgive yourself.

2. Let go of "What if?"

'What if's' can ruin your 'right now'.
Whatever has gone before has gone.
Leave the past behind and move forward.
Here and now is what matters.
Wondering about a theoretical present is ruining the real one you are actually living.

3. Put a spin on it

It's corny as hell BUT.... Turn your regret into a lesson.
Learn from your mistake(s) and try to make the 'right' decision next time.
Pause and think.
Change things.
You have the power.

Sometimes we repeat the same cringeworthy behavior though, don't we?

"Why do I always do or say XXX?!"

Try and accept that some lessons take longer to learn than others.
None of us are the perfect pupil after all!

If you can, try and find a positive from the negative.
However small that positive is.
You might focus on doing things differently next time.
Being more thoughtful.
Kinder.
Stronger.

You often hear people say...

"Regret nothing"

I say give yourself permission to regret but don't let it eat you up.
Forgive.
Learn.
Move forward.

{Remember that it's okay to be an idiot sometimes!}

Do you dwell on things?
Do you wish you didn't?
Do you spend too much time on regret?

Or, are you someone who moves on with ease?
If you have any tips on how to handle regret please leave them in the comments and share your wisdom.
I'd love to hear from you!


Last week Shelbee turned my head with THIS POST on boots called the weekend wish list.
I'm a shameless shoe lover and fabulous footwear always floats my boat!

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