Are You Feeling Stuck?

How many of you have recently gone through that moment when you lay in bed at night replaying a moment over and over, thinking,

“Why didn’t I just go for it? “

Maybe it was a job you didn’t apply for,

A person you never told how you felt,

Or an idea you were too scared to share.

And if you felt a sinking feeling too in your stomach along with these thoughts, then my friend you have all the symptoms of regret building inside of you.

And trust me, it’s way worse than it looks.

Had this been fear, it would have acted like a temporary roadblock, only stopping you at the moment, but if you push through, it disappears.

Regret, on the other hand, is something that sticks. It’s the weight on your shoulders, the what-ifs that never go away.

And the worst part? If left unattended, it gets worse with time.

But, why does regret cause so much damage?

Psychologists have found that regret dramatically affects how our brains work. It triggers what's called counterfactual thinking, where your mind constantly imagines how life could be different if you had made another choice. And the more you dwell on these alternate scenarios, the more distress you feel.

Over time, this regret activates self-blame, post which you start to become far harder on yourself than necessary.

Even when you made the best choice possible at the time, you still punish yourselves for it later.

To make matters worse, comparison pours salt into the wound.

When you see someone doing what you wish you had done; whether traveling the world, switching careers, or standing up for themselves your mind whispers, "That could have been me."

But here's what you're missing in this cycle of regret: it STILL can be you.

So, how to move past regret before it eats you alive?

Here are a few ways through which you can take back your power:

1. Do the thing, even if you’re scared:

Fear has a way of distorting reality, making everything seem more daunting than it truly is. You hesitate, overthink, and suddenly the opportunity slips away.

Don't let this fear hold you back. Take that leap anyway.

Those butterflies you get before speaking up in a meeting? They'll fade. That anxiety before taking the plunge? It vanishes the moment you're in action.

But if you don't act today, the regret will haunt you for years to come. So do it, even with shaking hands or a trembling voice.

Because nothing haunts us more than wondering what if?

2. Reframe failure as learning:

We've been taught to fear failure, but the truth is, that failing isn't the problem.

Not trying is.

Every mistake, misstep, and "wrong" decision becomes a lesson. Think back to your toddler days when you were learning to walk. You fell hundreds of times, but did you quit?

No, right?

You didn't sit down and say, "Well, I guess walking isn't for me." You got up and tried again. Again. And again.

That's the exact mindset you need today and every day. Instead of seeing failure as proof that you weren't good enough, see it as part of the journey. The only real failure is letting fear keep you stuck in place.

3. Fast forward in your mind:

Time is fleeting, and every day you let fear hold you back is a day lost forever.

Sometimes the clearest way to make a decision is to zoom out and ask yourself, "In five years, will I regret not doing this?"

If the answer is yes, that's your sign. Just go for it.

And even after this, if you're still struggling to find motivation, close your eyes and imagine your future self looking back.

Will they be proud that you took the risk, or disappointed that you played it safe?

Give it a try and see what insights emerge.

Also, share your vision with me by replying back.

4. Make peace with imperfection:

Perfection is a myth, and waiting until you have everything figured out is a trap. You don’t need to be 100% ready to start.

You don’t need to be the best to put yourself out there. You just need to show up. Because growth happens through action, and not through overthinking. If anyone has told you that there is a perfect opportunity coming your way and you’re waiting for it, then let me save you some time.

The perfect time will never show up until you show up.

Every step you take today is progress and with time you will see that done is better than perfect.

Now, let me ask you this:

What’s one thing you’ve been putting off that you know you will regret later on? Think before you answer.

Now, whatever it is, I challenge you to take one small step towards that thing today.

And if you’re serious about becoming someone who lives fully, and without regret, I’d love for you to join the 30 Days to a Better You challenge.

Where we’re making intentional choices that push us past fear, past self-doubt, and into action for the next 30 days together.

Little by little. One step at a time.

So, are you in? Click on this link to know more about the challenge.