We all have those moments where we look back and think, “I wish I had done that differently.” But a life filled with regret doesn’t have to be your story. The key is recognizing when to take charge of your life—and making changes before it’s too late. Here are 15 things to stop doing now if you want to live a life with fewer “what ifs” and more “I’m glad I did that.”
1. Stop Waiting for the “Perfect Time”
If you’re always waiting for the stars to align before you take action, you’ll be waiting forever. There’s never a perfect time to start that new project, take that trip, or make that big life change. Life is messy, unpredictable, and full of surprises. Don’t wait for the “right” time because there really is no perfect time to start.
2. Stop Comparing Yourself to Everyone Else
Scrolling through social media or watching what others are doing can make you feel bad about your life. It’s important to remember that someone else’s life isn’t your benchmark. Their success is different from yours, and their path isn’t yours to follow. Focus on your own journey and remember that, when it comes to social media, people only show the highlights anyway.
3. Stop Holding Grudges
Carrying around grudges doesn’t hurt the person who wronged you—it only weighs you down with negative feelings. It keeps you stuck in the past because you’re reliving the hurt over and over again. Let it go. Forgiveness doesn’t mean forgetting or excusing bad behavior, but it does mean freeing yourself from the emotional burden. You’ll feel lighter, happier, and more at peace for letting go of grudges.
4. Stop Saying “Yes” When You Really Want to Say “No”
If you’re always saying yes to things you don’t want to do, you’ll end up overwhelmed, burnt out, and resentful. Learning to say no is a powerful, underrated skill. It’s okay to set boundaries—it doesn’t make you selfish; it makes you smart. Saying no to what doesn’t matter gives you space to say yes to what does.
5. Stop Ignoring Your Health
Your body is the one thing that will carry you through every single day of your life—so treat it well. Don’t wait until you have a health scare to start taking care of yourself. Start doing it today. Prioritize regular exercise, eat foods that fuel your body, get enough sleep, and don’t ignore mental health.
6. Stop Being Afraid of Failing
The fear of failure can be paralyzing, but the truth is that failure is part of the process, and everyone experiences it. If you never try, you’ll never know what could have been—and that’s where real regret creeps in. The most important thing to remember is that it’s better to fail and learn than to regret never trying at all.
7. Stop Living in the Past
It’s easy to get stuck in the past, replaying mistakes or missed opportunities in your mind. But dwelling on the past won’t change anything. In fact, it’ll only keep you from moving forward. Learn what you can from your past experiences, but instead, focus on what’s in front of you and the steps you can take today to create the life you want.
8. Stop Letting Fear Make Your Decisions
Fear can sneak into your decision-making process without you even realizing it. Whether it’s fear of rejection, fear of change, or fear of the unknown, it can stop you from taking the chances that could lead to great things. Don’t let fear steer the ship. Push through it, and make decisions based on your hopes and desires—not your worries.
9. Stop Letting Work Take Over Your Life
It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life, but if work is all you do, you’ll miss out on some amazing moments. There’s more to life than grinding away for the next promotion or paycheck. Remember to check out every so often and spend time with the people you love, take that vacation, or make time for your hobbies.
10. Stop Settling for Less Than You Deserve
Settling happens when you convince yourself that “good enough” is all you can get. Whether you’ve settled in your relationships, career, or personal life, all this achieves is a whole lot of unhappiness and regret. Know your worth and don’t be afraid to walk away from anything that doesn’t make you feel valued, respected, or fulfilled.
11. Stop Avoiding Tough Conversations
Avoiding conflict or difficult conversations might feel easier in the moment, but you can never truly avoid conflict—you can just put it off. From tough relationship issues to giving feedback at work, or setting boundaries with a friend, avoiding tricky topics only prolongs your own misery. Be honest, be direct, and have those conversations now so you don’t regret what you didn’t say later.
12. Stop Worrying About What Everyone Thinks
Worrying about other people’s opinions is exhausting. You can’t please everyone, and trying to do so will leave you feeling frustrated and unfulfilled. Focus on living a life that feels right to you. When you stop caring so much about what others think, you’ll be your happiest self.
13. Stop Holding Back Your Feelings
Life is too short for guessing games. If you care about someone, tell them. If something’s bothering you, speak up. Holding back your feelings—whether it’s love, frustration, or hurt—will only lead to a whole lot of regret. Be open, be vulnerable, and don’t leave things unsaid.
14. Stop Taking the People You Love for Granted
We often assume the people we care about will always be there, but that’s not always the case. Life can change in an instant, and you don’t want to look back wishing you’d spent more time with the people who matter most. Today is the day to make an effort to spend quality time and show appreciation for the people you love. You’ll never regret making those connections stronger.
15. Stop Living Someone Else’s Life
Living according to other people’s expectations—whether it’s family, society, or even friends—will only make your life miserable. You have one life, and it’s yours to live, not anyone else’s. Take the time to figure out what you really want, what makes you happy, and go after it. Don’t live a life filled with “shoulds” and “supposed to’s.” Live the life that’s true to you.
