As the year begins, it’s natural to reflect on the moments that shaped us—the uplifting wins, the meaningful experiences, and the lessons learned.

Yet, for many of us, reflection also brings a familiar heaviness: regret.

Regret for the moments we didn’t show up fully.

Regret for the dreams we put on hold.

Regret for the opportunities we let pass by.

Regret for what could have been.

Regret can feel heavy, suffocating, and debilitating. It keeps us weighed down and tethered by moments we cannot change.

But here’s what I’ve learned: Regret isn’t here to hold you back—it’s a spark to guide you forward. It’s bringing to light where your inner zeal is calling for more attention, tenderness, and growth.

How to Spark Your Zeal as You Release Regret and Step Into the New Year with Renewed Purpose

Forgive Yourself

Place your hands over your heart and breathe deeply. Picture yourself at that moment you felt regret.

Then, speak softly: “I forgive you. You were doing your best.”

Forgiveness dissolves the chains of regret and frees you to move forward.

Turn “What If?” Into “What Now?”

Regret lives in the past, but zeal lives in the present.

What step—no matter how small—can you take today to honor the lesson regret revealed? Every action, aligned with your purpose, reignites your inner zeal.

Shift Regret Into a Lesson

Regret is often a mirror, reflecting what truly matters.

Ask yourself: What did this experience teach me about who I am, or who I want to become? When you find the lesson, regret loses its grip.

This year isn’t about what you didn’t do. It’s about how you choose to rise from it, rewire your brain for resilience and open new pathways of possibility.

Let regret be your teacher.

Let it soften, guide, and fuel you to enter the new year with purpose, clarity, and an open heart.