Think about your own most regretful decision. Maybe it's saying something hurtful that ruined a friendship, being too shy when you were younger, majoring in anthropology when you don't really want your career to have anything to do with anthropology.
I always joke that my worst regret is being a member of Spectrum Singers during my junior year of high school. Spectrum Singers is a small singing group that met after school on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 2:45 to 4pm. During my junior year of high school, I tried to do too many things. My grades suffered, I was overwhelmingly stressed, and didn't have any time to do what I wanted. If I hadn't done Spectrum Singers, I instead could have had a little break between school and musical rehearsal/dance to do my homework, hang out with friends, or nap. I could have used this time to promote my well-being, enhance my friendships, and improve my grades. With better grades, I could have gotten into a more hard-core college, ultimately landing a better job.
Being in Spectrum Singers was a poor decision, but I absolutely don't regret it. Not only do I like where this mistake has led me, it was a mistake that needed to be made at some point. If I didn't put too many activities on my plate in high school, it would have happened in college or "the real world," when it matters. I was lucky enough to make this mistake in high school instead of really messing up later in life. It's hard to regret a decision that has taught me so much in regards to future decisions.
In addition, I loved being in Spectrum. I like singing and it was an opportunity to learn and perform different styles of songs in a setting much different than the larger choir. What I regret is what I missed out on: the naps, the extra study time, the time to de-stress and hang out. I don't regret anything that I did, but rather what I didn't do because of it.
Think about the paths you didn't take. Rather than regretting saying something hurtful, regret that you didn't say something nice instead to remain friends. Rather than regretting being too shy, regret the friendships you didn't build. Rather than regretting majoring in anthropology, regret that you didn't major in psychology.
So, look back to your own worst regret. Did you learn from your mistake? How can you regret something that has helped you make the right decisions in the future? And do you really regret what you did or what you didn't do? If it's what you didn't do, seize the opportunity to do it the next time one comes along so that your past mistake helps you and isn't a regret anymore.
