The Best Time is Now: Turning Regret into Resolve

Have you ever regretted doing something, even long after you did it, and can never undo it? Then, not only regret the action, but also the amount of time you spent not doing anything about it.  Yes, the best time to have corrected your mistake might be just after it happened, but for any number of reasons, that didn’t happen.

I still remember not doing or saying anything at a birthday party when the party girl was mean to her ‘best friend’. That was many, many years ago; even though I was just a kid, it still gives me heart pain whenever I think of it. 

I regret making some of the decisions I’ve made over the years, because now I would decide differently.

What I used to regret, but no longer do, is thinking I wasted a lot of time not getting to where I wanted to be. What I’ve discovered instead is that I probably couldn’t have done things faster or better, given my circumstances, and that my process required I take the time it took.

One thing about true regrets – like my childhood one – is that I learned from it and have never let that happen again. Not perfectly, but always with good intentions.

When is the best time to get something right? Often when you first noticed something needed putting right. But the next best time is now.

Quote of the Week

The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.

• Chinese proverb

Don’t regret regret

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Maryanne Nicholls is a Registered Psychotherapist.  To find out more, gain access to her weekly newsletter, meditations and programmes, sign up at www.thejoyofliving.co .