Regretting my action

Hi, its currently 1am SGT and i cant fall asleep. I am self blaming myself for an impuse purchase that I made outside from my financial means. I mean is normal to made an impulse purchase, but this package is too expensive with my current financial circumstance. I mean i do feel a need for this product but at the same time i feel that I could have used a cheaper mean instead of purchasing this package… i am also blaming myself for being and feeling weak in front of sales tactic when I obviously know is sales tactic and promotion especially when I was so ready to actually reject and SAY NO to any sorts of packages and promotions when I went for my first trial. So i am like unable to sleep cuz i keep thinking about this big purchase i have made… Is there any ways for me to overcome this regret and this thought (except like asking me to work) and how not to make the same mistake…

And additionally i would need help in understanding how do i relieve my regrets cuz i have too many regrets in life be it regrets from long ago or recent like my package issue and i hang upon it. I know the concept of self-compassion is hard to perform it on myself :frowning: Is there a way to deal with all these?

Dear @Junni,

That sounds really challenging! Thank you for reaching out and sharing your thoughts and feelings with us. It takes courage to be open. Well done for seeking support and being open to new perspectives. :clap:t4: :clap:t4: This is a positive step in the right direction.

Before I share some strategies, may I suggest considering asking for a refund. Most expensive purchases, especially packages usually have a cooling-off period. It might be worthwhile to ask for a refund. If you feel that the sales tactics were too pressurising, you may also want to report the incident to CASE.

Regret plays an important role in our well-being by serving as an adaptive function that helps us learn from our experiences and improve future decision-making. However, it can also become maladaptive if it overwhelms us and prevents us from moving forward.

Regrets are supposed to help us by allowing us to:

Learn from Mistakes: Regret helps us reflect on our actions and understand what went wrong. This reflection can guide us to make better choices in the future. For example, if you regret not preparing for a test and receive a low grade, you might be more motivated to study harder next time.

Motivation for Change: Feeling regret can push us to change our behaviour. If you regret spending too much money on impulse purchases, you might start budgeting more carefully.

Building Empathy: Regret can also make us more empathetic. If we regret hurting someone’s feelings, we become more aware of how our actions affect others and might strive to be kinder and more considerate in the future.

However, when we struggle to regulate our emotions or lack a strong sense of connection with others, regret can become harmful by causing us to:

Ruminate: When regret leads to constant rumination—repeatedly thinking about past mistakes—it can become harmful. This can make us feel stuck and prevent us from enjoying the present or planning for the future.

Lowered Self-Esteem: Excessive regret can damage our self-esteem. Constantly focusing on our mistakes can make us feel like we’re not good enough or incapable of making good decisions.

Anxiety and Depression: Persistent regret can contribute to anxiety and depression. The constant negative thoughts and self-criticism can lead to feelings of hopelessness and despair.

Sounds like perhaps in your situation regret has become maladaptive. To make regret work for us rather than against us, it’s important to balance it. This can be done by:

Practicing Self-Compassion: Be kind to yourself when you make mistakes. Remember that everyone makes errors and that it’s part of being human. Here are 3 actionable steps to start with:

  1. Mindful Self-Awareness: At the end of the day, take five minutes to sit quietly and reflect on your feelings. If you notice you’re feeling sad or frustrated, acknowledge these emotions without judging yourself for having them. Simply observe your thoughts and feelings, perhaps saying to yourself, “I feel sad right now, and that’s okay.”

  2. Self-Kindness: If you make a mistake, instead of telling yourself, “I’m so stupid for messing this up,” try saying, “It’s okay to make mistakes. Everyone does. I’ll learn from this and do better next time.” Write a supportive note to yourself or repeat kind words in your mind.

  3. Common Humanity: When you feel isolated in your struggles, remind yourself that others have experienced similar challenges. For instance, if you’re feeling overwhelmed by a project, think about how many people also struggle with big tasks. Tell yourself, “I’m not alone in this. Many people find big projects challenging, and it’s okay to ask for help.”

Developing self-compassion takes time and practice. Be patient with yourself as you work on building this important life skill.

Growth Mindset: Focus on what you can learn from the regretful experience rather than just the negative feelings. Use it as a tool for personal growth.

  • Change “I Can’t” to “I Can’t Yet”: Whenever you face a challenge or encounter something new, replace “I can’t” with “I can’t yet.” This simple shift in language reminds you that your abilities can improve over time with effort and practice.

  • Celebrate Effort, Not Just Results: Instead of solely focusing on the outcome, celebrate the effort you put into your tasks. Whether you succeed or face setbacks, recognise and appreciate the hard work you’ve invested. This helps reinforce the idea that effort leads to growth, regardless of the immediate outcome.

  1. Move Forward: After reflecting on your regret and learning from it, let it go. Focus on making positive changes and setting goals for the future.
    Sure! Here are two simple actionable steps for letting things go:
  • Practice Mindfulness: When you find yourself holding onto negative thoughts or emotions, take a moment to practice mindfulness. This can be as simple as focusing on your breath for a few minutes or paying attention to the present moment without judgment. Mindfulness helps you become more aware of your thoughts and feelings, allowing you to acknowledge them without getting caught up in them.

  • Write it Down and Let it Out: If something is bothering you, try writing about it in a journal or on a piece of paper. Expressing your thoughts and feelings on paper can help you gain clarity and perspective. Once you’ve written it down, you can choose to keep it or let it go by tearing up or shredding the paper. This physical act can symbolise releasing the uncomfortable emotions and moving forward.

By developing an understanding of and effectively managing regret, we can harness its potential to enhance our well-being and prevent it from perpetuating distress. These strategies serve as a starting point for you. It’s common to encounter resistance and difficulty when implementing these approaches independently. I encourage you to consider seeking support from a counsellor who can provide personalised guidance and assistance in creating a support plan that aligns with your comfort level.

I hope the above has been helpful and if you’d like more resources or if there is anything else you’d like to share with us, please do. We’re here to listen to you, your feelings are valid and you matter! :grinning:

Take care,
CoolBreeze =)