“Always live life without any regrets” or at least that’s what they say, right? Well, what happens when there are those things in life that you so desperately wish you could take back or have a re-do? No one is perfect, and there are going to be a few (maybe more) times in your life when you may wish you could take something back. Maybe it was something you did to someone else, or maybe it was even something you said.

I’m here to say that not all things in life go as we plan. In fact, I have found that more often than not, the more you try to plan something out or control a situation, the more likely it is going to turn out exactly how you don’t want. Going through life, I have always been the type of person that instinctively likes for things to be planned or mapped out. Now that I'm in my 20’s, I’ve realized that life is more about finding a happy medium than anything else.

However, when you are going through tough times in life, I know that hearing things like “just go with the flow” or “Buck up” can come across almost as irritating. I personally know that feeling. Growing up, I’ve always been the type that has felt misunderstood and like I constantly have to explain myself to others. Growing up with this type of a mindset, I have learned a few things that have helped me and I hope will also be beneficial to you as well.

1. Quit living in the past.

If you are sitting at home (alone) because all you can seem to do is think about how much you regret doing/saying something, than you are living in the past. If all you can seem to do is replay the scenario in your head and think of all of the possibilities that could have happened, you are living in the past. If you are acting out because of all of this regret, you are living in the past. Be present. Know what you did wrong, learn from this mistake, and pick yourself up and live your life. You won’t realize this until it is too late, but if you are only thinking about what could be, you will never know because that’s all you’re doing is thinking. Be present.

2. Everything truly does happen for a reason.

There are reasons for everything in life though, and you shouldn’t spend all of your precious brain power exhausting different options of what could have happened if you would have done something or said something differently. Life is still going to keep moving whether you are ready for it to or not. Pick yourself up, and trust that one day you will know the reasoning behind all of your pain and regret. –-Because trust me, you will.

3. Everybody “has those days”.

Whether you are male or female, optimistic or pessimistic, you are inevitably going to have a bad day. Maybe even a bad week, or worse, a bad year! Don’t let yourself get stuck in the negatives of life. If you are constantly worrying about what you are doing wrong and what you have done wrong in the past, then you are wasting your precious life away my friend. Wake up, smell the coffee beans, get ready and live everyday like you have nothing to be sad about. Happiness is everyone’s most endearing quality.