“Live with no regrets.” is something you hear often with the younger generation. That’s our biggest desire, isn’t it? To look back at what we’ve done in our life and say “I have no regrets.”
But thats not really realistic, is it? It’s ideal, sure, it’s a lovely thought. But in reality, life isn’t that sweet. I think once you reach your teenage years, you’ve likely done at least one thing you can’t forgive yourself for once you’ve become conscious of what you’ve done. You realize that what you’ve done cannot be taken back, and in turn, this becomes a regret. Something we wish we could fix, something we wish we could take back.
But having regrets is not the end. Its not impossible to turn it all around, its never too late to allow yourself and your heart to forgive your past self, and this in turn will create a happier and more peaceful self for the future.
I think the first step in doing this is to really face yourself. To look deep within yourself and find a way to love yourself despite what you might have done. Like I said in my past writing, loving yourself is truly the cure to all things. For your peace of mind and your heart, for your inner growth, and for your relationships with the people around you. Love yourself, and then you can forgive yourself. Face yourself. Be brave enough to face the darkest parts of you. Be strong enough to accept that part of you as simply being a human being. Be kind to yourself. Your mistakes do not make you a bad person. Whats important is that you face your mistakes and accept that you did what you did and forgive yourself first. If you hurt someone, it is never too late to sincerely say, “I’m sorry, I did you wrong, and I realize what I’ve done to you.” It doesn’t really matter whether or not you receive their forgiveness, as long as they are aware of your realization and your sincerity.
And to quote a song I used to listen to in the 8th grade (hehe) called “What I’ve Done” by Linkin Park:

*I start again, and whatever pain may come, today this ends. I’m forgiving what I’ve done”

I hope you can find it in yourself to slowly accept that regrets and mistakes are simply a part of life that teaches us how to grow an be a better person. Embrace all your regrets, and then let them all go.