Does anyone else ever regret their life choices? I’m a full time ER nurse with multiple health issues including heart disease, anxiety, panic disorder, PTSD, and depression. I’m 28 years old. I often wonder if nursing was the right career path. I always wanted to help people and feel like I was making a difference but at what cost? My mental and physical health has been suffering for months. I have panic attacks on the way to work and often times while I’m at work and just hide in the bathroom so no one knows. I continue day in and day out with physical health problems that have led me to my anxious being. In short, I used to be a happy person, at least from what I can remember. I’m living each day to just “stay alive” keep working to make the money I need, keep breathing to be the person society needs me to be, keep breathing to uphold my “resume” keep breathing to be the daughter/girlfriend/sister/employee life needs me to be, keep breathing to keep my rent, keep breathing to continue living life when it feels like there’s nothing worth living for. I’m watching myself in a movie, motion by motion, play by play. Does it ever stop? Does it ever end? Is there a happy ending?
Regret : Does anyone else ever regret... - Anxiety and Depre...
Regret
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I think that everyone regrets at least one thing that they have or haven't done in there life. I know that I would change a lot of things if I could go back, but we can't do that, we can only look forward and hope and pray that we all get through this crazy roller coaster called life. You asked if there was a happy ending, only time will tell. I hope and pray that things get better for you!
Yes, I think that everyone struggles with regret. I have made poor decisions that have affected me as I have gone from my 20's into my 30's. Understand that it may not be your career choice that is the problem; sure nursing is a high stress job, but you are dealing with some issues and challenges that you need help with. Since you are an ER nurse, you know that self care is important. Maybe, instead of working so much, why don't you go speak with a counselor who can help you with the challenges of PTSD, anxiety and depression. You won't be able to help people for long if you aren't finding help for yourself.
Hi lpinck
I think we have all made decisions in life that we regret but I also know that there are certain things that we can change that would make our lives better but we don't because change is scary, so we stay in our comfort zone even though we feel like we are in an unhappy loop. Sometimes we don't know any better than unhappiness.
In my case it was not a job, it's a relationship. My best friend, who is a therapist, one day said to me ENOUGH, you have two options:
1. You leave
2. You stay but stop complaining and make the most of it.
I think this is applicable to most things if we don't want to always be unhappy.
I'm sure everyone regrets something in their life. Some things are in our control and some are not. To continue to suffer is also a choice. The experience itself is an opportunity to learn and grow. To repeat the mistake, is another story.
I appreciate nothing is forever. We can always change our minds and move on. Might sound easy, but working towards something can be hard but at least your one step away from where you were and one step closer towards a different path. Choices are difficult.