Regret: "feel sad, repentant, or disappointed over (something that has happened or been done, especially a loss or missed opportunity)"
For the longest time I have claimed that "I don't regret things". I believed that regretting things was a waste of time and that it didn't get me anywhere. I truly thought that regretting things was a waste of time and energy. (Confession.... I looked down at people that just wallowed in regret.)
It wasn't until recently that I saw that regret could be a wonderful teacher. By regretting something you are recognizing that you wish you could have done something different. What can you learn about that regret that will help you make a different, more empowering decision in the future? If this sounds a bit confusing, let me share a personal example.....
I spent my teenage years and early 20s mainly focused on school and work. I rarely took time to relax and just enjoy life. I didn't travel or go on fun vacations. I prided myself on working all the time. Looking back, I regret that I didn't enjoy those youthful years more. I regret that I spent so much time working and didn't take more time to just sit back and enjoy life.
So what are the benefits of regret?
Regret is a great indicator or where we need to change and adapt to live a more fulfilling life. If you regret decisions regarding your career, what can you do today to learn from that regret and change your path going forward? If you regret your past relationships, what can you learn from those relationships to not be in the same place you are in one year from now?
For me, I regret not taking more time to sit back and enjoy life more. I regret wasting time counting calories and working out 24/7 rather than enjoying all that life has to offer. I regret not getting to know what else I enjoy other than work. I regret the hours I spent on a treadmill verse exploring the beautiful world we live in.
These regrets help me to spend more time enjoying the now. These regrets help me to enjoy and embracing the extra calories, regardless of my weight. To recognize there is more to me than how hard I work or how productive I am. To recognize it is okay to stop doing and start just being.
What can you learn from your regrets? How can your regrets become your biggest teachers?