We have all been in a conversation where the topic is regrets. There is usually one person who adds little to the conversation by saying, “I have no regrets.” I used to be this person. I thought this was some kind of accomplishment. It wasn’t until recently that I realized something: I do have regrets.
Regrets have always been a troublesome topic for me to discuss. I think this is why I always said “I have no regrets.” I didn’t want to think about those times and reignite the feelings associated with them. Yet there are a few regrets I want to share with you, my peers. Maybe you will be able to associate them to your lives.
I regret my attitudes toward academics and teachers. Although I was successful academically, I regret how I acted toward school. There were many subjects I did not take seriously because I thought I wouldn’t need the material later in life. This is no reason to disrespect a subject, and indirectly, the teacher. Believe it or not, teachers are people too and they have feelings just like everyone else. Unfortunately, they have to callous their feelings in order to work with teenagers. At one point or another, all of us have disrespected a teacher when they don’t deserve it.
I regret my actions with friends. If you haven’t caught on yet, this whole column is about clichés. This paragraph is no different. I regret not being myself around my friends. So why was I afraid to let who I truly am be portrayed sometimes? I don’t know. Now I know that putting your happiness before others isn’t called “selfishness;” It’s called “being healthy.” And to make myself completely happy, I want to be myself more often.
I have known my group of friends since the good ol’ days at Supai. I wouldn’t give them up for anything in the world. Thank you Adam Johnson, Riley DiLorenzo, Joe Loofborough, Justin Rodriguez, Maxx Simmons, Michael Russell, Adam Dickerson, Kaleb Cisneros, Jeffrey Ramirez, Jenn Bain, and Kristen Phillips for the best four years anyone could ask for. The memories that we have are priceless. I wish all of you the best of luck with your future plans and dreams.
I regret my level of expectations. I have always had high expectations for myself. Whenever I completed an assignment I would critique myself to no end. I would take a project that I should have been proud of and could only notice the problems. But not just high expectations of my work, but of myself.
My high expectations have made me question my choices. My high expectations have forced me to miss out on certain opportunities. When in reality my expectations were created by superficial characters from modern day culture. I plan to look at the positive from now on. To focus and look at the positive side of life. Life is short and there’s no time to focus on the negatives.
Are having regrets harmful? No. Does having regrets make a person less worthy? No, but the saying “I have no regrets” is garbage.
Everyone has done something at some point in their lives they wish they could change. But there is a key to success. Don’t just review your past and wallow; learn from your mistakes. Use the regrets you have to make yourself a better person.
Next time I’m in a conversation where the topic is regrets, I won’t use the cliché I used to. I am going to use a new cliché. Here it is in case you want to use it. “I have regrets, but they have made me the person I am today.” And today, I am proud of who I am. So thank you Coronado for my regrets and cherished memories.