Regret is one of the hardest to face emotions in life.
It is especially difficult because there’s not much you can do about the things you did or did not do in the past.
You can find that regret can be even more challenging than the fear of failure. The thing most of us fear is waking up one day only to realize that we didn’t live our lives to the fullest.
We all have regrets, but what’s important is to consider the things you’re currently doing wrong, or not doing at all, that might lead to future failure.
Below is a list of regrets people often experience late in life. You can use the list to examine your own life and make the necessary changes in order to live a life you won’t ultimately regret.
Worrying too much about what other people think
We all struggle with self-consciousness in different ways, and this takes a long time to overcome. But the sad thing is, we all spend a lot of time worrying about what others think about us. Surely you don’t spend much time analyzing and judging other people’s decisions. And they are most likely far away from being concerned with analyzing you as much as you’re doing it to yourself.
The sooner you remove this mental hindrance, the sooner you’ll be able to be your true self and focus on the things that truly matter and bring you joy.
Wishing they had taken more chances in life
For many of us, fear of failure is a compelling reason to stay in our comfort zones by avoiding to take risks. Sadly it can also be the very thing we most regret.
Do you find yourself regretting a time when you didn’t ask someone out on a date, start your own business, or break up with a partner? How does this resonate with you? Let these experiences serve as a reminder next time you feel fear dictating your decisions. Because sometimes the most difficult decisions can prove to be the most valuable ones in the long run.
Not spending enough time with friends and family
Our relationships with our partners, family, and friends bring us far more joy than superficial success or work do. When approaching the end of their lives, people often regret not having spent enough time with their children, not having been a better husband or wife, and not keeping in touch with relatives and friends.
Thankfully, this is not a hard one to fix: figure out how much time you spend in the office or doing house duties, and compare that to how much free time you have at your disposal. Just as with any other appointment you need to schedule spending time with your loved ones.
Wishing they had more fun
Nevermind society’s obsession with “the hustle” because you’ll regret not having enough fun later in life.
In addition to being food for the soul, fun is always good for business because it reduces negativity and stress by allowing your brain to reset and recover. So, make room for some fun now.
Not making amends
It should come to no surprise that not making amends with our loved ones makes the list.
Of course, sometimes we have to let go of the toxic people in our lives. But other times, we hold grudges that are definitely not healthy and don’t make us happy.
Take a moment to reflect on each situation and think about whether you really want to go on in life without mending those bridges. Sometimes making amends isn’t just about making the other person feel better, but also about your own mental wellbeing.
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