A Life Without Regrets

Something I've been thinking a lot about lately is living my life without regrets. I know I'm only 24 (almost 25), but as I continue to grow through life I want to make sure that as I look back I can happily say I have no regrets.



Now I don't want this to mean I was an idiot. You can live without regrets while being smart about it, at least I think you can. 

When I was 12 I went to Girls Camp in Utah. Now this was my first year going and I had no idea what to expect. Because of the location, there were so many fun activities we were able to participate in. We had snipe hunting, the flying squirrel, hiking, and rappelling.


Now those who know me, know I am TERRIFIED of heights. So when it came to be my wards turn to go rappelling I was nervous but excited to try this new thing. I went up with my ward and my dad to do this new and exciting activity, but as it got closer to my turn I just couldn't commit. I looked at my dad and used the excuse of "I have to use the bathroom" knowing I would get out of rappelling. 

I mean let's be real here, I had to use the bathroom (probably nervous pee honestly). But I also waited until the last moment when I knew I couldn't go back and rappel with my group. I was just too scared!

Looking back on that day, I regret it. 

Was I going to die? NO. I was in good, well trained hands, and my dad was right there! I was perfectly safe! But, I let my fear of heights get in my way.

Now this is such a little thing. A little regret. And I don't mind putting it out there because I was 12. We all do dumb things at 12. But looking at this experience I had at 12 I do not want my fears to hold me back. I do not want the heights, spiders, deep waters, and dentists in life (yes those are just a few of my fears) to hold me back. 

In life there are going to be so many things that scare us. Change is an inevitable part of life and I think it scares everyone. I'm pretty sure there is not one person on this earth that isn't scared of change. But we do it. We change and we grow because we need to. What would be the point of this life without it?!

Something to remember as we keep growing through this life is that we are going to run into lots of fears. We are going to run into bumps in the road. We are going to have to rappel down A LOT of mountains! But if every time we get to the top we look down and decide to go to the bathroom instead, we aren't going to learn very much. 

You're also going to have a lot of regrets. 

I think looking back on your life you will never regret vacations taken, laughter had, time off, friends made, people loved, food eaten, and late nights spent. You may, however, regret working forever to save money for something that never happened, neglecting family and friends, or not rappelling that mountain because of a little fear. 


Remember that life is all about the JOURNEY. You can't take your money or physical items with you in the end, but you can take the memories you make. 

So take a trip, laugh a little (or a lottle), eat a lot of good food, and rappel that mountain. You never know what could happen. 


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