How to Avoid the Regret of a Bad Decision
Regret. It's a scary thing. If left unchecked, it can disrupt your current state of mind and paralyze your plans for the future. Regret can ruin relationships and prevent you from taking chances and trying new things. But as dangerous as regret can be, it's more common than you might think.
But don’t worry; there are some things you can do to avoid the regret of a bad decision. Because, let’s face it, we all make choices we wish we could take back.
Take a moment and recall the last time you experienced regret. It might be as simple as a regretful purchase. You passed by what you thought was the world's most incredible shoes and just had to buy them. They looked great and felt great in the store. But when you got home, buyer's remorse began to set in. Maybe you live with them, or perhaps you return them.
Maybe it’s bigger than a pair of shoes. Perhaps you decided to take a job in another state or even country. You pack up the family and leave everything familiar and comfortable for a new adventure. Three months into the job, you realize just how much you hate it and want nothing more than to just go home.
That feeling of regret sinks deep into your gut and almost makes you sick to your stomach. It creates anxiety, doubt, fear, and even panic—drastically affecting your mental health. It's like a tidal wave you can see coming but can't do anything about.
You have two options when faced with regret.
Live with it and learn from it.
Correct it.
Choosing to live with it means that no matter the bad decision, you make the conscious decision to avoid regret to inform future decisions. Instead, use the bad choice as a learning opportunity. Actively consider what went wrong in your thought process. Were there outside influences you shouldn't have listened to? Did you neglect to consider all the factors? Did you allow pride, an unhealthy desire, or fear of an unknown outcome to get in your way? Take an honest look at why you made the choice you did. Learn from it. And move on.
However, if possible, consider correcting the mistake. Suppose you regret taking a job, ending a relationship, or neglecting to study for an important exam. In that case, you could pursue the opportunity to take whatever corrective action is necessary - restoring the relationship, retaking the test, etc. If you have the chance to right the wrong, take it. It's a decision you surely won't regret.
If you are not careful, it's easy to let regret slip into your life and take over.
Regrets can be significant, and they can be small. Either way, they can be avoided or at least managed, so they don't negatively impact the future.
The best thing we can do with regret is to let it go or learn from it.
Rather than allowing regret to control our present and future, give yourself the space and time to properly navigate the regret and put it to good use. Don't beat yourself up over a wrong decision. We all make them. But if regret is holding you back, decide to do something about it today.
