Life can often feel like one big decision-making quest. Our choices can alter our course, and while it’s impossible not to make mistakes along the way, some of our decisions can linger and become deep regrets. Regretting decisions you can’t change takes away your power and leaves you stuck in the past. Avoid these common mistakes to move forward, embrace your life, and not stay trapped in a “could have, should have, would have” mindset.
1. Not Prioritizing Your Health
We take our bodies and health for granted when we’re young and invisible. However, neglecting your health through lousy lifestyle habits, skipping exercise, or ignoring medical advice can lead to serious regrets when the consequences catch up to you. Prioritize your physical and mental well-being to avoid wishing you had taken better care of yourself later.
2. Not Leaving a Toxic Relationship
Many people stay in toxic relationships out of fear, familiarity, or a misguided sense of loyalty. Toxic relationships don’t always involve a romantic partner; they can happen with friends and family, but the common thread is they zap your energy, self-esteem, and happiness. Recognize the signs of toxicity and have the courage to walk away so you don’t waste precious years trapped in an unhealthy situation.
3. Not Following Your Dreams
We don’t always have a clear life plan when we’re younger, and it’s easy to put your passions and dreams on the back burner in favor of practical pursuits like a stable, well-paying job. But ignoring your North Star can cause big regrets later on. Your passions, whether a creative hobby, career change, or personal goal, are what light you up, so don’t let the flame go out.
4. Not Saving Money
Failing to save for the future creates financial stress and uncertainty later in life. Emergencies, job loss, or unexpected expenses can throw your life into turmoil without a financial buffer. Start stashing away the pennies early, even a tiny amount each month, to give your future self a fighting chance financially.
5. Not Taking a Risk
Fear of failure, rejection, or the unknown can make us risk-averse. But if you never take a chance in life or step out of your comfort zone, you can feel stagnant and potentially miss golden opportunities. Many people look back on their lives and regret the chances they didn’t take in their careers, relationships, or personal growth. Don’t let fear dictate your journey; push through it to follow your dreams and slay your goals.
6. Not Investing in Your Relationships
It won’t be a career success that gives you the most incredible sense of fulfillment but the friends, family, and partners that make you happy and leave a deep mark on your life and heart. Make your loved ones the priority, spend time with them, invest in the relationship, and never let anything drive a wedge between you. Looking back and realizing you neglected the most important people in your life will be one of the toughest regrets to swallow.
7. Not Taking Care of Your Mental Health
We need to give our mental health the same attention as our physical health. Ignoring stress, anxiety, or depression can lead to more severe issues and affect every aspect of your life. Prioritizing your mental well-being is one of the best investments you can make in your happiness and emotional well-being. Never be afraid to seek help when you need it, whether through therapy, medication, or simply taking time out for self-care.
8. Not Reaching for the Stars
Striving for perfectionism is rooted in fear and insecurity. However, failure can unlock the key to success. Embrace every failure (big or small) as a learning experience. Use what you learned as ammunition to adapt, pivot, and do better, and never let setbacks stop you from pursuing your goals.
9. Not Honoring Yourself
Falling into the comparison trap is easy, especially in the age of social media. But constantly comparing yourself to others—or a filtered version of reality on Instagram— can lead to deep dissatisfaction and, ultimately, regret. Resist the urge to compare yourself to anyone; it’s a waste of time, and life is short. Love and honor yourself for who you are, thank your body for being such a miracle and forge ahead on your path.
10. Not Traveling More
Most of us have a desire to travel the whole wide world. Travel is one of the most incredible and intoxicating experiences. It opens your eyes to new cultures and perspectives and allows you to marvel at all the magnificent wonders on our planet. Sadly, work, finances, relationships, and life can cause us to push our bucket list to the side. Not traveling when we should have is a common regret, so book that trip; you only live once.
11. Not Knowing My Worth
No one should ever settle for less than they deserve. And we all deserve the world. Recognizing your worth and not settling for mediocrity out of fear or insecurity is a trait to be admired. Aim high, have boundaries, and strive for the life, partner, job, and home you want. And when you reach your goals, adjust the post and aim higher.
12. Not Learning from Mistakes
We all make mistakes, but failing to learn the lesson and doing the same thing while expecting a different outcome can cause regrets. If you feel like you’re making the same mistakes, step back and reflect on the patterns or behaviors holding you back. Learning from past mistakes is essential for personal growth and development and for avoiding future regrets.
13. Not Being More Decisive
Putting off important decisions can lead to missed opportunities and result in a serious case of regret. Delaying a career move, avoiding a difficult conversation, or postponing a major life change can hold you back from living the life you want. Don’t let indecision or procrastination keep you stuck; be decisive, make the tough decisions, take action, and move through your life with confidence and determination.
14. Not Being True to Yourself
Perhaps the biggest regret of all is not living your life authentically. If you’ve conformed to others’ expectations, suppressed your true desires, or feel like you have to wear a mask, this will cause deep resentment and regret. It’s your life; live it on your terms; follow your passions, stand by your values, learn to say no, and show up in a way that is unapologetically you.
