Managing Regrets as a Man: A Guide by Lisa
Regret is a universal human experience, often becoming more pronounced as we age. Our perspectives shift, priorities change, and what once seemed crucial may now seem trivial. Ideally, as we mature, we become less concerned with others‘ opinions and less likely to make regrettable decisions. However, in the digital age, our past mistakes are often immortalized on screens worldwide, making it harder to escape our regrets.
In the past, we would ruminate over our missteps, missed opportunities, or unspoken words in solitude. Today, the relentless presence of screenshots, camera phones, and social media platforms means our past is always accessible, often accompanied by disapproving faces. So, how do we navigate regret in an era where forgetting is nearly impossible?
Regretting a Breakup
Many of us have found ourselves regretting a breakup, imagining countless scenarios where things could have worked out. In the pre-digital age, you could avoid your ex unless you ran into them unexpectedly. However, social media has eliminated the possibility of fading into obscurity. Seeing your ex enjoying life with someone new can be a painful reminder of what you’ve lost. The best course of action is to unfriend, block, or take a break from social media.
Regrets Involving Substance Use
With the prevalence of camera phones, embarrassing moments can easily be captured and shared, potentially causing significant damage to your reputation. If a video of you behaving inappropriately while under the influence surfaces, you could deny it, blame it on a look-alike, or own up to your mistake. To prevent such incidents, consider implementing a no-camera policy during social gatherings.
Regretting Past Work
Actor Mark Wahlberg, now a devout Catholic, has expressed regret over his role as porn star Dirk Diggler in Boogie Nights. Regret over past work or artistic endeavors is common. However, it’s essential to accept your past as it has shaped who you are today. Even if your early work wasn’t perfect, it was part of your journey to where you are now.
Regretting Past Opinions
Regret over past opinions can be particularly haunting. Labour MP Jared O’Mara faced backlash for homophobic and misogynistic comments he made years ago. While he had since advocated for marginalized groups, the video evidence of his past views undermined his credibility. It’s crucial to learn from past mistakes, delete any offensive content, and demonstrate through your actions that you’ve changed. If you’re called out, apologize sincerely and accept that it may be hard for others to forget your past mistakes.
Regretting Political Decisions
The term most commonly associated with “regret” in online searches is Brexit. This serves as a reminder to carefully consider your choices, especially when voting.
Regretting Sharing Children’s Lives Online
Sharing your children’s lives on social media can lead to future regret. Aside from the fact that not everyone finds your children as fascinating as you do, you could be setting them up for embarrassment later in life. Keep baby photos for the family album to avoid potential future humiliation.
Regretting Sexual Encounters
Regretting a sexual encounter can be tough to deal with, especially since there’s no way to undo it. The best approach is to treat the other person with respect and avoid engaging in harmful behaviors like ghosting. Also, be aware that one of the top ten ”regret” search terms in the UK is “regret cream pie.” If you find yourself in a similar situation, try to put it out of your mind and hope it wasn’t caught on camera.
