I have become so tangled in regret I feel I am only wasting my time, energy, and sanity to try and climb out. Better stay curled up during this storm and hope new circumstances will give me the second chances I imagine.

Perfectionism shames me for my mistakes and blames me for my setbacks. Perfectionism piles on and magnifies regret. I want to move on but perfectionism won’t let me, churning and regurgitating more regret. I end up so behind and buried that I can’t take a step forward.

A “no regrets” philosophy hasn’t worked for me. Regrets are scars: blemishes from the past, reminders of important lessons, and undeniable parts of my story. There have been many times where my head was not in the game and I damaged my pride, health, career, relationships, or bank account. Perfectionism may scoff and say those things shouldn’t have happened, but I’ve learned mistakes and regrets are part of the game and their emotional leverage decreases with progress and perspective.

It is not worth waiting another second for circumstances to become more favorable. Any progress is magic. Even a small act, such as checking one thing off a long list or going to bed on time, gives me a surprising sense of control and peace.