Don't Look Back With Regret
Ahhh regrets. The word I have a feeling we are all familiar with. By definition, regret is a feeling of sadness, repentance, or disappointment over something that has happened or been done. Regret is something that a lot of us experience whether it is something we wish we had said or didn't say, actions we did or didn't do, or even things we wish we had done in life, like travel to different parts of the world. The question is, how do we move on in life and face our regrets? Do we let our regrets slow us down and create barriers that we may never be able to climb? Or do we face our regrets and not let them hold us back in life?
I, for years, have made decisions that I would not necessarily say I am proud of and done some things that have burned some bridges. Once again regrets that I wish I had done things differently but I can't change those things now. Recently I have been trying to not be a grudge holder, which I have been told I am, because I would later regret the things that I missed out on. So that is exactly what I did. I decided to take the leap and stop living in the past and starting living in the now. I know that sounds SUPER cheesy but it's true.
I have been jumping in over the last 2 years with both feet first and just going for it because I had spent so much time letting regrets and decisions and my mind, hold me back from things that I want to do. FULL SPEED AHEAD! I hardly look back on things that I regret now because it leaves me living in the past and I can't do that to myself because it holds me back from doing the things that I dream about and thing that I want to do in life.
When I transferred from East Carolina to NC State after my sophomore year, I ultimately needed a fresh start in lesser words. I had done a lot of things that I wasn't necessarily proud of but had a small group of really close friends that I was truly going to miss. But I knew in my heart that it was time to go back to my home city and have a fresh start where people didn't know me and I could build new relationships. It is one of the choices that I have never had regrets over whatsoever and have never looked back on it. And now I am planning on moving across the country after I graduate to start something new and I am so looking forward to it.
There are a ton of people that you are going to run into along your path of life that are going to try to slow you down and make you feel like you should regret the choices that you have made in life. DON'T LET THEM! Do what you want to do in life because I can guarantee you in 50 years, you do not want to look back and say, I wish I had done this or this or this. JUMP IN and live your best life with no regrets or judgments. Here are some really important lessons that I have learned from not letting regret stop me.
Lesson #1: Be Prepared For Some Setbacks
Oh the hurdles that are always going to be there in every part of life. Nothing typically goes the way we plan it, heck that might actually be a good thing. If everything fell into place just perfectly, we might just find this world a little too boring for our tastes. It is the setbacks and challenges in life that define who we really are and what we’re made of.
Lesson #2: Avoid The Naysayers
We all know a naysayer who is always going to tell you what you are doing is wrong or not to do things. Whether it is out of jealousy and/or the fact they were too scared to do it themselves, don’t let others get you down when you take such a big risk in life. You will have people in your life that will offer their full support, like your family, but there will also be plenty of people telling you that things aren't going to work out the way you want them to. Screw them and don't listen to them because their words are just going to hold you back.
Lesson #3: Remember Why You're Doing This In The First Place
My favorite lesson of all! Any adventure in life takes fortitude and the willingness to stick it out. There are plenty of opportunities to throw in the towel when taking risks, but is that what you really want? I’ve always lived by a simple adage that goes…. “Quitters never win, Winners never quit.” NEVER THROW IN THE TOWEL!
Lesson #4: See The Light At The End Of The Tunnel
With whatever choice you make in life, there is always going to be an opportunity for you to turn around and quit with whatever you have set your mind to. DON'T DO IT! You have to see the big picture in life and not just live the moment, especially when those moments are challenging. Taking months to find a job, bills piling up, no familiar faces around etc. can prove challenging for anyone. Remember, though, what is your ultimate goal and can you see it taking place?
Lesson #5: Reap The Rewards
Most of the time, when you do the things you want to do and make the best choices for you, you are putting amazing things out into the universe that will manifest themselves. They say you have to live through some tough times to enjoy the good times. While I do have some belief in that thought, it doesn’t mean life has to be pure hell before you get to the good stuff. When some good things do come along, appreciate them because you earned them.
I hope none of y'all live with regrets and forge ahead in life and do the things that you want to do and don't let anybody stop you!
As always thank y'all for stopping by and reading! I will see y'all back here next time!
Love, D
