1. They don’t give up.
People who have no regrets don’t give up. “Try, try again” is a saying that they live by. Yes, there is a point at which you should recognize if something isn’t working out, but giving up after one try is something you might regret. Persevere and, even if things don’t work out, you at least won’t regret not trying harder for what you wanted.
2. They don’t avoid talking about things.
If something is bothering you, absolutely talk it out with whoever you’re having a problem. Make sure you’re kind and respectful, but don’t think that you need to just ignore a problem because you want to avoid confrontation. If you think you need to talk about something with someone, you should absolutely do it. You don’t want to look back and realize you lost your chance.
3. They don’t stay home.
I love pajamas and Netflix just as much as the next person, but being a homebody might lead to some major regrets down the road. Whatever age you are now, you’ll never be that age again. You need to live your life to the fullest while you can.
4. They don’t wait for others to do something.
You don’t always have to wait for the other person to text you/apologize/invite you somewhere/call you/visit you. Relationships are a two-way street, so don’t wait around for others to make plans. Make them yourself! There’s nothing worse than feeling like you missed out on an experience simply because you didn’t take the initiative.
5. They don’t strive for perfection.
Perfection is not real. Repeat after me: perfection is not real. Memorize that phrase, write it on a sticky note and put it on your mirror, recite it daily. Strive for excellence in all that you do, but perfection is not something you should concern yourself with. Do your best and take pride in your work, but get that notion of perfection out of your brain.
6. They don’t get caught up in drama.
Trust me, you will absolutely regret getting dragged into drama. It’s never fun and it never ends well for anyone involved. Just step away from the issue and be the bigger person.
7. They don’t avoid telling the truth.
Eventually, the guilt will make you regret telling that lie. Little white lies are fine, and sometimes necessary, but try to be honest and open with the people you talk to.
8. They don’t ignore their responsibilities.
While it can be nice to shirk on some of your less-than-exciting duties, people who live without regrets are able to do so by making sure they get everything done that needs to be done. This not only instills a sense of accomplishment, but also ensures that nothing goes wrong in the future. After all, responsibilities are important.
9. They don’t stress out.
Stress can really take a toll on a person. In order to live without regrets, try to focus on the positives in life. Take things as they come and don’t get too overwhelmed.
10. They don’t skimp on their health.
Exercising and eating right are important aspects of a healthy lifestyle. You definitely don’t want to regret living an unhealthy lifestyle, especially as it’s bound to catch up to you.
11. They don’t avoid people.
People who live without regrets are often very personable and friendly. This is because they realize that they only have so much time on this earth to meet people and engage with others. Try to talk to people, even if it’s just for a moment, and you’ll be happy you did.
12. They don’t envy others.
Always look up to other people, but never let jealousy consume your life. It’s not worth your time.
13. They don’t forget the simple pleasures in life.
It can be easy to forget the simple things in life that we take for granted, but living without regrets for many people means stopping and learning to appreciate these things for what they are.
14. They don’t stray from their moral compass.
It’s very hard to avoid regret when you’re straying from your moral beliefs. Whatever they may be, you should stick to them to make sure you won’t make any decisions that might not be in your best interest.
15. They don’t say no too often.
The biggest thing about living without regret is learning when to say yes. Saying no too often leads to missed opportunities and missed connections with others. Learn to say yes to people and you’ll live a much happier life. You won’t look back and think you missed out on something if you make sure you say yes. Featured photo credit: big mess/M via flickr.com
