Never ending regret

[Treelove]

I’m new here. Does anyone else suffer insomnia because their mind won’t stop thinking about all of the mistakes they’ve made? I can’t make it stop!

[Hidden]

Yes Ugh yes and for other reasons but that is a big one!

[roachkid]

welcome! i hope you find this recource helpful and supportive. im always open to talk <3 i actually tried to go to sleep about 2 hours ago but that lasted about 10 minutes before i already gave up. i dont really go too deep into my psyche because the second i feel as though my racing mind might be making a pitstop in the shame dept of old memory lane i usually find the most immediate ways to distract myself..... writing, reading, watching vids, makin art. basically until my physical exhaustion takes over. anyway, i suggest keeping screens out of sight atleast 30 mins-1 hour before you lay down and making sure your phone adjusts to the warmer hue of night mode so blue light doesnt strain your senses too much

[Hidden in reply to roachkid]

good advice!

[kelseyy]

Hi, welcome! Yes I've had that before! And I have friends who have experienced this as well. You are definitely not alone! Very common for people with anxiety I think.

When I couldn't sleep and my insomnia was bad / not under control I would go for walks even though it was dark, just so I didn't have to sit there and get more and more anxious.

Then the first thing I would do that helped was just do A LOT of activities during the day (extra long runs, working, cooking, etc) so I would be very tired and kind of have no choice but to sleep. This was a short term fix but helped a little.

Then I worked on creating a sleep routine that would "signal" to my body I should go to sleep. So every night I do the same routine of drinking herbal tea and reading a book and that seemed to have helped a bit as well.

Other things friends have done is listed to sleep meditations (the app Calm has some good ones). This is especially helpful if you're having racing thoughts because it's a story that you can focus on instead of thinking about every mistake from the past. Or doing a meditation before bed to help relax.

Just thought I'd list some things I tried in case they help, but also I know sometimes it's hard to take action and you just want to be heard. So I'll add that I totally hear you and have experienced this same thing! It sucks because good sleep can help with daytime anxiety too so not sleeping can have a sort of feedback loop, and the night can feel so long! I hope you find what works soon and you are able to sleep well!

[Hidden]

I'm not working these days, I think if I actually had some kind of job routine, I'd be better at making myself try to sleep. I seem to come alive at night, it's the strangest thing!!! I just kick back and go on YouTube a lot or try to read a book. I've resigned myself that this is how I am. I just keep the sound down so I'm not disturbing other people.

[kenster1]

hi I do suffer insomnia but my thoughts stem from other things but at times the regrets do creep into my mind.all of us have regrets but life means we still have time to create better memories we can look back on.

[Hidden]

That is my most serious problem. It's almost all I do. Medication and therapy help to an extent, but coping techniques such as worrytime don't help me at all. They work for many people though, and are worth a try if you've never tried them before.

[Survivor4Ever]

Absolutely! Yes,but you have to remember we are not perfect.I believe are all imperfectly made. Flaws and all. Mistakes and all too. I don’t believe no one in this world has never ever made a mistake and regretted it. But holding on to it does no good but make you feel bad and only you. You have to learn how to forgive yourself. Blaming yourself and judging yourself . Letting the guilt get to you must consume you. It will never allow you to live your life or move to new opportunities that are in store for you. I can’t change my past either but sitting in it just keeps me in fear and shame. Look at it this way. The past is exactly what it is the past. Don’t be afraid of a fresh start, a new day. Ask yourself. “Why don’t I deserve happiness?” I made a mistake, everybody makes mistakes “ Don’t listen to those negative thoughts that keep popping in your head. Keep reminding yourself they are just thoughts. Not your thoughts. You are not your thoughts. Thoughts come and go like the wind , right? Acknowledge your actions and mistakes are just learning experiences and basically that’s it! You are now a better person today. I have insomnia but god other reasons try stuff like Eucalyptus essential oil pillow mist or diffuser or sleep same time every nite, bath, a Himalaya rock salt lamp. Just my thoughts. Hope you feel better.