In simple terms, she says, “regret is feeling bad because things could have been better if we had done something differently in the past.” It's a central part of decision-making and how we feel about the choices we make and, Amy says, “by some estimates it's the most common negative emotion that people feel in their ...

Is it normal to regret?

It's normal to experience large and small regrets, so regret isn't an emotion you need to be scared of. Here are some tips for coping when it happens: 1. Ditch "I'll never to do that again" thinking.

Can regrets ruin your life?

Regret can be all-consuming, and it can destroy lives. ... It is not unusual for patients to seek therapy because they feel plagued by regret and unable to live full lives because of it, says Morgan, whether it is over affairs, career choices or relationships.