18 Ways to Live Life without Regret!

Regret is an equal playing field. To be human is to, at some point, have regret about something in our lives. Even when a source of regret may have happened years ago, we can hold onto those feelings, wishing we could change the past. Why do we do this to ourselves? Because we strive for a better life today and tomorrow.

If you've let regrets get to you, it's time to release them and make peace in the present. By living in the moment, you can live your best life. I know I know…easier said than done.

So, I've compiled 18 ways to embrace your today…and tomorrow:

1. Journal your lifetime. Go through years of photos and memorialize the time shared and experienced. Write down as many past and present experiences as possible and your desired future experiences. This helps us realize we have done more than we recognize already, so this list helps the present and creates some peaceful praise for the past. This also tees up your future actions and decisions!

2. Decisions. Many regrets result from avoiding directing your life toward something specific. Making decisions can be scary because they appear final. Decisions can be revised, edited and renewed. My favorite phrase about decisions is “indecision is the worst decision”. Decide what's most important to you today, and get at it.

3. Distractions. How challenging is it to make the most of each day? Along with indecisiveness, many people waste hours each day being distracted by spontaneous things or by ways to procrastinate, including social media, scrolling aimlessly, or watching others live their lives. This leads to rehashing regret repeatedly and is a significant time suck. When you make decisions for the day, week, or month, give yourself a dedicated block of time to accomplish that decision. You will not regret the time spent on important things.

4. One big hairy thing. Tell yourself you will do "one thing" today. Setting and achieving one thing or goal can avoid most regrets later in life. I learned this from a dear friend, Ashley, who said she does one thing a day—big or small—even as simple as writing something down or calling someone back. It's a mindset of accomplishment, and it works!

5. Settle schmettle. You may have wanted to be a visual artist or a martial artist but chose a different path, or perhaps you dreamed of living in Rome but ended up in Miami. Settling often leads to feeling unhappy because you continuously think about what could have happened. Trust yourself and strive to accomplish that your dream. Tackle "one big hairy thing" daily to lead you to your genuine desires.

6. Forgiveness. Forgive yourself for holding on to regret. Forgive others who may have played a part in regret. Say and repeat this out loud “I forgive myself and forgive (name/others if applicable). I give me (and others, as applicable) permission to let go”. Forgiveness can immediately release feelings of regret.

7. Be bold. Being bold can result in uncertainty and create significant challenges for yourself or your family, but you'll look back on your life with a smile (without regrets).

8. Life, seriously. While life is undoubtedly serious, living with more enjoyment by doing more, trying more, and sharing more is more meaningful and enjoyable. Those around you will enjoy life more as well!

9. Discomfort leads to success. An inability to cope with feeling uncomfortable is a leading cause of regret. Thinking about discomfort as a step towards success is a mindset, but hear me out - living through discomfort can be exciting and is always a learning experience. It is most often fulfilling, adventurous, and abundant.

10. Action over perfection. I wrote an article related to this topic. Taking any and all action towards progress in life is infinitely more valuable than trying to be perfect.

11. If in doubt, do it. You're more likely to regret what you haven't done than what you did. Mistakes are better than not knowing. I say this to myself a lot, and I make many mistakes. The best part is that the wisdom I gain is never something I regret.

12. Decide desires. One of the biggest reasons for living in regret is not knowing what we want. It's often easier to put off desire discovery with excuses of everyday life (remember distractions?). Thinking about what you want—instead of what you regret in the past—will help you be more focused on today.

13. CBT your fears. This is a biggie!! Fear is the leading cause of a regretful life. Making decisions from a place of fear makes it easy to get stuck in regret. Uncovering the root of your fears means learning to accept them and often realizing they are perceived notions versus reality. I help people uncover fears and negative beliefs through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) techniques. If you're interested in these techniques, feel free to reach out. Once you discover your fears, they can be addressed and overcome, and you'll be in a much more positive mental space.

14. Flow state. A flow state is when you are content with whatever life brings you. You let your experiences happen with curiosity and intrigue, often without attaching personal or emotional meaning to them. Learning how to live in a flow state rarely has any regrets because it's a mindset of comfort within discomfort. Going with the flow doesn't mean navigating life without a plan. It means letting go of the need to control everything.

15. Make time for your family, friends, and loved ones. Use your limited time wisely. Say no to unnecessary activities and projects. Decline invites from those who drain your energy and give your time to those who build you up and support you, and vice versa. It's also valuable time that can help you gain perspectives on your choices or desires.

16. Social media hiatus. We live in a time where social media and technology dominate our lives. These can have adverse psychological effects on us. It is important to not be a slave to them and practice a flow state with social media (e.g., let yourself take a break from social media). I recently took a two-month hiatus from social media, and I would be okay with whether I have it or not in the future. It helps to give a healthier perspective on social media and technology and get to focus on living life in the present. I do not regret my social media breaks 😊

17. Gratitude. I know you hear a lot about this one. It's for a good reason because it puts you in control of your life! Gratitude creates happiness, confidence, peace, contentment, fulfillment, appreciation, and yes, it curtails regret. Think about the basics - all we really need is soil, sun, and connections. From those, we build a life of value, nourishment, and purpose. Start each day with gratitude for a simple thing, such as the sun shining or a cup of coffee. Let go of anything that is not serving you positively.

18. Wisdom over regret. Emotional well-being is paramount in life for all the right reasons. Your well-being includes your actions, experiences, decisions, and trajectory. These actions develop your wisdom; when you have wisdom, you have peace in your life (aka well-being). I aim to take action based on perspective, wisdom, and intellect. I still make mistakes, and I welcome mistakes as more of life's wisdom. This wisdom is a valuable gift to our present and future.

Living a life without regret is living in the present, making intentional choices, and being comfortable with action and reflection. Regret is often the outcome of fears, distraction, and indecision, but by prioritizing what is important to us, we develop our way to cherish the time that we have, and to be able to look back, if we need to, in peace, pride, and gratitude.