This is why we live with regrets

This is the story of the time I discovered we all have regrets. I know it’s looked down upon to own up to having regrets, but I have many. Okay, I’ll stop being so dramatic. I have a few. I rarely regret instances in my life, but sure, they’re there. I just can’t fathom why people say “live life without regrets.” Sure, it’s a nice sentiment, but I just don’t see it being all too attainable.

I mean, my biggest regret today was drinking coffee. Why? Because I forgot it makes my stomach hurt. And on top of it all, I burned my tongue. It’s all fun and games until my tongue gets torched in the flaming hellfire that is coffee. It was free so I don’t regret it that much. But I still would not drink it if future-Marie came in and told me I would regret drinking that coffee.

I couldn’t tell you my biggest regret if I wanted to because I’m not sure I could narrow it down. It was either wearing black eyeliner with blue eye shadow in 7^th grade or using gel instead of hairspray for a few years on my fake bangs. Listen, I’m not here to judge but if you did either of those things like I did, then you definitely have regrets too. I can’t even justify that “it was the style” like people from the 80s can because neither of those things were ever in style.

I think the most serious thing I regret is quitting piano to join cheerleading. People try to justify regrets by saying that everything happens for a reason. And maybe they’re right. But I’m not buying it right now. I think my life would’ve taken a completely different route had I stuck with piano. Who knows, maybe I’d be the next prodigy and playing at Carnegie Hall by now. And maybe I wouldn’t have chosen baby blue eye shadow—we all make horrible mistakes.

But then again, maybe not. Maybe I would’ve been equally as miserable as I ended up being from cheerleading and maybe everything worked out. Perhaps in an alternate universe I did stick with piano and ended up differently. But at the same time maybe in a different universe I stuck with cheerleading and never quit and ended up living that dream somewhere. Who’s to say? I kind of like me now. And I’m sure my friends and family agree at least a little bit.

Don’t be afraid to take chances on those possible regrets. If you regret them, you regret them. It’s never too late for me to go back to piano. And while my cheerleading door has closed, a different opportunity opened to take me to a crazy path that includes this blog. So thanks past-Marie for quitting. Maybe I won’t live with that regret after all. But if I do, it’s okay!