What is Regret?

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What is regret?

 

Regret is a verb defined as: to feel sad, repentant, or disappointed over (something that has happened or been done, esp. a loss or missed opportunity).

Synonyms for regret: verb: repent, mourn, be sorry, lament, and rue.

Noun synonyms: repentance, remorse, sorrow, grief, and contrition.

 

How does regret feel?

 

The feeling of regretting something is a million times worse than regret’s toughest definition.  When we think of all the opportunities we missed, that empty pit of your stomach feeling tends to be difficult to get rid of.  Regret tends to stay with us no matter how long ago the missed opportunity took place.  In order to get mentally and emotionally past previous regret, we must stop the cycle of regret and seize present opportunities, as they come, not waiting or wavering.

There are three techniques that people use after suffering a blow due to regret, and only one is beneficial and successful to overcome the past regret and further more to create lasting happiness in your life.

 

Technique #1:  Avoid all opportunities and continue to beat your self up mentally.

 

Many people use this technique because it is easy to get in the mindset that you are stupid, an idiot, etc.  When opportunities are lost we tend to get down on our self, creating a negative thought process.  Positive advancement can’t come to anyone that is in a negative headspace.  If you find yourself using this technique, start paying attention to your thoughts.  When you hear your thoughts turning negative, look at those thoughts, laugh, and let them go.  For most people, your worst enemy is your self.  You know how to push all of your buttons and you know how to make it hurt.  Begin implementing positive thought throughout your day, read an uplifting book, listen to beautiful music, and spend time with others that are positive.  By doing these activities and living within the positive thoughtful realm, opportunities will come and you will benefit because you are surrounding yourself with it and able to see it clearly without the negative haze.  When we are thinking and living in a negative headspace, we can’t see the forest through the trees.  Even if the best opportunity is right next to you, you won’t see it.  (Remove the negative thought, replace with positive thought, and happiness will be produced.)

 



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2 Responses

  1. Ashley says:

    Thank you for your genuine words! Come back as often as possible. A

  2. lukwhostalkin says:

    I truly agree with your view on how most of us ,including me deal with regret. Its is mostly accompanied with self pity and helplessness. I recently hurt someone with my words which I regret because of the things I said and not her reaction. The instinctive reaction was to feel helpless and keep brooding about it rather than getting up and apologising. It takes guts to to act on regret. People might not see that you want to make amends but we need to be strong. Thanks for the article , it reiterates the need to act on regret and not sit idle.