Memories are made when you do what your heart desires and spend time with the people who make you happy. Regrets surface when you step back from blissful opportunities and later think, “What if I didn’t?” This has happened to the best of us––myself included.
If anyone were to ask me what I am most afraid of, my instant answer would be regret. I was stuck too deep in this vicious cycle of ‘What if’s?’, and trust me when I say, it was bad. I questioned every single petty thing and opportunity in life, which in the end, gave me nothing but self-doubt. “What if I ask this question and they get mad?” “What if I talk to the guy I always wanted to and make a fool out of myself?” “What if I stand up for what I believe in and no one relates to me?” “What if I cry in front of people and they see me as weak or an attention seeker?”
You relate to this – don’t deny it. I reckon everyone gets these questions in mind at least once in their life and that is okay, but your decisions cannot go on like this.
Hesitation is one thing, but completely stepping back is something else. I am not going to tell you, ‘You have one life, do what you want,’ because we know it’s not possible. Let’s be realistic for a moment: You have one life, so don’t question every single thing you know you will regret not doing later. Your life should be as amazing as you are. Not everyone is lucky to have opportunities, so being thankful and accepting them gracefully is the best gift you can give yourself. Thinking is good, but sometimes just doing what you want without thinking is the real deal. And yes – I took this advice from Barney after binge watching How I Met Your Mother, but that isn’t the point here. All I am saying is that sometimes letting go is easier than you think it is. Let go of your questions, doubts and fears. You don’t want to regret any moment that could potentially change your life.
Fear of failure shouldn’t stop you. My dad always said to me, “You may as well cry due to failure than cry over being too scared to even do it.” I carry those words with me every step of the way. It completely changed my attitude. It’s all about the first time; once you do something you really want without thinking too hard about it, it will change your perspective. You will want to do that every time, and eventually, all the fears will fade away.
Never let the question of ‘What if?’ get in the way of your passions and dreams because you cannot live your life in regret. It just isn’t what you deserve.