35 Tips to Live Without Regrets

35 Tips to Live Without Regrets

Last update: 21 February, 2022

Everyone has something that stands out in their mind as something that they would have wanted to do differently – or not at all. Regrets.

Regrets pile up and create personal hells, constantly reminding us that we were either wrong or not good enough. They can become huge burdens that interfere with our wellbeing.

As time passes, we learn and grow, but that does not mean that we do not regret what we did before we learned to know better. But if it were not for our individual experiences, we would not be the people we are today, and we would not have learned what we now know.

The negative thoughts that fill us with regret ought to be extinguished. What’s done is done, and we cannot change that. But, what can we do to live a life without regrets?

How to live a life without regret

  1. Accept that making mistakes is okay and learn to accept your mistakes so that you can move forward
  2. Make your health and wellbeing a priority, and look out for yourself. Only then can you look after others.
  3. Think for yourself, and don’t let the opinions of others dictate what you do.
  4. Follow your own path instead of the one imposed on you. You must make your own decisions about your life.
  5. Let yourself get carried away by curiosity and embrace your creativity.
  6. Learn to find humor in life and laugh whenever you can, even at the smallest details.
  7. Be adventurous: try new things and take risks!
  8. Relax and stop fearing change.
  9. Find happiness in as many things and people as you can.
  10. Don’t judge people before you know them.
  11. Be thankful for what you have, and don’t worry about what you do not have.
  12. Wish the best for everyone and do not envy.
  13. Share your happiness instead of keeping it all to yourself.
  14. Don’t try to change others to fit your needs or preferences.
  15. Value your happiness over material possessions.
  16. Use your energy wisely, don’t waste it on things that hurt you or do not contribute something positive to your life.
  17. Be brave and find the courage you need to change things that need changing in your life, and accept things that cannot be changed.
  18. Take control of your negative thoughts and the way they affect your life.
  19. Love your career, and if you don’t, take steps to do something that fulfills you.
  20. Look at problems from different points of view to try and find the best solution.
  21. Break free from what others think of you.
  22. Don’t leave things for later if you can do them now. “Later” might never come.
  23. Don’t waste your time trying to please people you don’t even like.
  24. Change your perspective on life and adopt a broader outlook on things and people.
  25. Become the person you really want to be. Don’t content yourself being a “you” that doesn’t make you happy.
  26. Don’t hold grudges, it is an unnecessary burden that brings nothing but pain and discomfort.
  27. Be honest with yourself.
  28. Create goals for yourself and think about what needs to be done to achieve them. Write it down.
  29. Treat others with compassion and respect.
  30. Spend time with people who make you happy, and stop wasting your time with people who don’t.
  31. Stand up for yourself, and don’t let anyone stop you.
  32. Participate in life instead of just observing.
  33. Do what you like, and don’t do things that do nothing for you.
  34. Every day, do something that makes you proud of yourself, whether or not other people know.
  35. Always look forward and don’t stop moving forward, even if just a little bit

Instead of practicing regret, practice acceptance and understanding toward the things in life that you would have preferred to have happened differently.

See every mistake made as an opportunity to move forward. Otherwise, you allow regrets to bind you to the past.


This text is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace consultation with a professional. If in doubt, consult your specialist.