Author Daniel Pink conducted a “World Regret Survey” during the early part of the pandemic.
Some of the universal themes?
- Not pursuing higher education (on not taking it seriously enough)
- Turning down opportunities to travel
- Missing final chances to connect with loved ones
- Not ending a bad marriage
Pink suggests we tend to regret the things we didn’t do far more than the things we did. It has an official name, too: regrets of omission.
In a nutshell: we regret playing it safe!
Gentle the reader … ponder this a bit this lovely Sunday morning…where are you playing it too safe? Staying within the lines, doing all the “right” things, worrying too much about judgments from others…worrying about consequences (real OR imagined).
Micheal Easter has written an amazing book called “The Comfort Crisis.” He suggests that our “playing it safe” is actually a huge cause of our unhappiness, dissatisfaction, and regret in life.
HOWEVER…
Examining regrets of things not done? This can be a new form of fuel called motivation.
It’s never too late to give things a try…OR try again!
Is there something on your list? Want to share? I’m listening. ?
Warmly,
Angie