lovetolisten

Having a lot of anger at myself and regret for the messes I've caused with my addictions. Trying to repeat this mantra: every drink I have drank, every cigarette I have smoked, every drug I have consumed, every dime I have wasted has happened and it's done. It is done and over, I can't reduce it or change it. I can't get that money back. I can accept it and learn from it and not add any more to it. I can use it to motivate my future rather than beat myself up about my past.

fantail

I have to say this to myself a lot too. It's hard not to dwell on mistakes. But you're right, there's no changing it. And worrying over things we can't change is only taking the mistake and making the damage worse.

The future will be better.

mecanix

I am a different man than the one i was back then ,

He was sick and addicted, he actually did ok despite that and bought me to the point at which i could change, learn and grow.

That illness and confusion is only a drink away.

Today i'm going to try and live a glorious sober day, make myself notice the wonder of life and nature going on around me, all those things i ignored when drinking where my focus was on me and my frustration at life getting in the way of drinking .

Bestwishes , m

least

I regret a lot of my actions while drinking, but have finally managed to forgive myself and move on, doing the next right thing.

Delilah1

You are right, you can't change the past, so focus on moving forward and all of the positive choices you are making today.

I am sure that each of us on this site has regrets from the past, I know I do.

Hope today is filled with positive memories!!!

ZeldaFan

The way I try to look at it is, while it would have been best had we not done those things, they were not a complete waste. We learned from those bad choices and I'm confident that those experiences will help shape better versions of ourselves in our sobriety. Onward and upward to a better, happier and more fulfilling life full of promise!

CloudStrife

I know what you mean lovetolisten.
I am working on getting to a place where I don't forget the messes I've made, but I also don't allow them to bring me down. I try and take the emotional part out of it (sometimes easy, sometimes not so easy :P). Then I bring myself back to the present moment, the only thing we actually have any control over, and accept it fully. Doing the best I can.

HighDraw18

I struggle with regrets too. It's easy to let them consume you and bring down your mood.

I have to be vigilant in remembering that I can't change the past but I have complete control over my future actions. It helps.

SoberLife90

Plus you don't have to hurt anymore people!

Soberwolf

Excellent post

Dee74

I think you can look at it as time wasted....but you could also look at it as everything you've done, good and bad led you here to this point today.

I dunno about you but for me it's not a bad place to be, lovetolisten

I've done more in the last 8 years than I did in the previous twenty. I prefer to keep my focus on today and beyond

teatreeoil007

Turn mistakes into gold.

freshstart57

I gave myself a fresh start. The past is not forgiven or forgotten, but it is passed. Today is a day with no mistakes in it, and I can choose how it will be. And that is good. It is up to me. Onward!

Anna

Yes, do use the feelings to motivate you. I try to believe that I am exactly where I am supposed to be at this moment.