Why I Would Rather Regret Trying Than Regret Not Trying

Throughout my life, I have made many decisions that other people probably wouldn't have made.

Some worked out exactly as I hoped.

Others didn't.

And a few turned out to be much harder than I ever expected.

But if there is one thing I have learned, it is this:

I would rather regret trying than regret never trying at all.

When I decided to move to Germany, I knew it wouldn't be easy.

Looking back, I probably ignored a lot of warnings people gave me.

Not because I thought they were wrong.

But because I needed to find out for myself.

That has always been my personality.

If there is something I really want to do, I will usually do it.

Not because I am fearless.

But because I know I will always wonder "what if?" if I don't.

Moving abroad was one of those decisions.

Some parts were wonderful.

Some parts were difficult.

And some parts were honestly quite lonely.

There were moments when I questioned everything.

Moments when I missed my friends.

Moments when I missed the Netherlands.

Moments when I wondered whether I had made the right choice.

But despite all of that, I never regretted going.

Because even the difficult moments taught me something.

They taught me independence.

They taught me resilience.

And they taught me who I really am when nobody else is there to solve my problems.

Today, when I look back, I don't focus on the mistakes.

I focus on the experience.

I focus on the lessons.

And I focus on the fact that I was brave enough to try.

One of the biggest mistakes I see people make is waiting.

Waiting for the perfect moment.

Waiting until they feel ready.

Waiting until they have all the answers.

The truth is that life doesn't work that way.

Sometimes you have to take the step first and figure things out later.

If there is one thing I would say to a younger woman today, it would be this:

Do it.

Take the trip.

Start the business.

Move to another country.

Apply for the job.

Start the blog.

Whatever it is that you keep thinking about, give it a chance.

Will everything work out perfectly?

Probably not.

But at least you will know.

And in my experience, that is far better than spending years wondering what might have happened.

Because at the end of the day, I would rather look back and say:

"I tried."

Than spend my life wondering:

"What if?"

Love,

Shavida