No Regrets

Published May 2, 2020 11 AM



Ok, I know everyone has regrets. Whether you regret what you have said in the past or you regret actions you have performed, you regret something. Regret is a common emotion to feel no matter your age, gender, sexuality, or race. When I came to high school, I was living with a burden of regrets on my shoulders that I so desperately wanted to be lifted off of my shoulders. I would randomly remember moments I wanted to erase from my mind and when I couldn’t, I would become very frustrated. For those of you having the same problem as I did, I want to hold your hand and magically make you forget those memories, but, unfortunately, I cannot. What I can do, is tell you this: Live your life to the fullest. I know it sounds cliché and that you’ve seen it everywhere. Everyone says this, but the real question to ponder is do you actually live your life to the fullest? This article is about the one time I woke up and decided I didn’t want to live with regrets anymore; it’s about the time that changed my perspective on decision-making. According to Sigmund Freud, we all have a superego that feeds our brain morals that we have been learning by the society. For me, it was the morals that led me to hold back what I was saying. It was an overly influential filter that had been installed in my brain. It would not allow any ideas to pass if the ideas went against the ideas of someone else. Afterwards, I would regret not saying anything. I ended up blaming myself for not standing up and speaking out about how I wanted things. Once, I was working with someone, a classmate. They didn’t do any of the work even though the deadline for the project was coming closer and closer. I said to myself: ok, don’t say anything to them, just do the work for your grade. Who knows? They might have issues they don’t feel comfortable sharing with you. So, I didn’t say anything and took up the workload. One day, I woke up and realized that I didn’t want to live with anymore regrets. Therefore, I tried something new: whenever I am about to make a decision to do something or speak up and my superego takes over, declining the decision, I tell myself that if I don’t go through with the decision, I will regret it. The thought of regretting something when I have the chance to do it frustrates my brain, and I ultimately end up going through with the decision. I don’t know if this works just for me, but if you’re ever stuck in the same situation as me, try it.



Comments: (2)



Sue d’onym

Amazing piece!

Ms. Lehre

Rutu, I really enjoyed getting a look into your brain! What wonderful advice to give young people (and some of us older people). Life is about making mistakes and learning from them, NOT avoiding the mistakes, so, yes, live life to the fullest and out yourself out there!