Why letting go of the past is the beginning of real peace
The Powerful Truth That Will Set You Free
😔 If Only I Had…
“If only I said yes to that opportunity…”
“If only I handled that breakup better…”
“If only I started saving money earlier…”
We all do it. We go back in time in our minds, replaying scenes, trying to change what already happened. It feels like we’re solving something — but in truth, we’re just stuck.
This one thought — “It could’ve been different” — keeps many of us trapped in regret, guilt, and comparison. But what if letting go of this one idea could give you back your
Your Brain Loves Regret Loops
According to research from the University of Illinois, the human brain is naturally wired to replay and rethink past decisions. This is called counterfactual thinking — the “what if” syndrome. It’s meant to help us learn from mistakes, but often it turns into self-punishment.
We believe that if we keep rethinking our past, we’ll somehow “fix” it mentally. But here’s the hard truth:
👉 You can’t rewrite your past. You can only reframe it.
According to research from the University of Illinois, the human brain is naturally wired to replay and rethink past decisions. This is called counterfactual thinking — the “what if” syndrome. It’s meant to help us learn from mistakes, but often it turns into self-punishment.
We believe that if we keep rethinking our past, we’ll somehow “fix” it mentally. But here’s the hard truth:
👉 You can’t rewrite your past. You can only reframe it.
What Happened, Was Meant to Happen” – But Why?
Let’s take a relatable story.
🔄 Real Story: The Missed Promotion
Ravi, a software engineer in Pune, worked tirelessly for a senior role. He stayed late, met all deadlines, and led projects. But the promotion went to someone else. He was crushed. He kept thinking — “If only I had networked more,” or “If only I pushed harder…”
Months later, he shifted to a startup that valued his skills more openly. Within a year, not only did he lead a team, but also earned more than double his earlier salary.
He now says,
“If I hadn’t been passed over, I would’ve never made the move. That rejection was my redirection.”
You see, life doesn’t make mistakes — but we often don’t see its design until we’ve moved forward.
Unlock the One Belief That Will Free You from Regret
We’ve been taught that regret = responsibility.
That obsessing over a past mistake somehow means we’re being mature.
But maturity is not about self-blame.
It’s about self-awareness without self-abuse.
What if we believed this instead?
💬 “I did the best I could, with what I knew at the time.”
💬 “It happened exactly as it was meant to, for my growth.”
💬 “If it was meant to be, it would have been.”
This is not denial. It’s peace. And it’s powerful
Simple Steps to Finally Release the Past
Let’s make this practical. Here’s how to release the idea that things could’ve been any other way:
1. Name the Regret
Say it out loud or write it down.
“I regret not choosing that college/job/partner…”
2. Feel the Emotion Fully
Don’t escape the feeling. Cry if you need to. Let the guilt, sadness, or frustration rise — and fall.
3. Reframe the Event
Ask yourself:
“What did I learn from this?”
“What part of me grew because of this?”
4. Practice Self-Compassion
Write yourself a letter:
- Forgive your past self
- Thank them for surviving
- Remind yourself of what you’ve overcome
5. Create a New Story
Make a decision that helps you move forward.
It could be: “I choose to live with peace.”
Or: “I release the need for a different past.”
Acceptance Makes You Healthier
In a 2021 study published in the Journal of Psychological Science, participants who practiced radical acceptance reported:
- 30% lower stress levels
- Better sleep quality
- Improved emotional intelligence
- Less overthinking
Holding on doesn’t heal you. But letting go actually rewires your brain for clarity.
Quotes to Remember
“Regret is a useless emotion unless it leads to change.” – Brené Brown and belief of the The LifeTrackR
“You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.” – C.S. Lewis
“Some things have to end for better things to begin.” – Gaur Gopal Das
Conclusion
At The LifeTrackR, we believe emotional freedom is just as important as financial freedom. Our platform helps middle-class Indians like you track emotional patterns, reflect on decisions, and move forward with clarity.
You don’t need to carry the past alone. Let us walk with you.
#LetGoWithGrace #TheLifeTrackR #HealingIndia #MindfulLiving #EmotionalGrowth #NoRegrets
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published here https://thelifetrackr.com/release-the-idea-that-things-couldve-been-any-other-way/ by @Kairav and @krutika