Summary

The web content discusses the inevitability of regret in decision-making and the importance of committing to choices without being paralyzed by the fear of missing out.

Abstract

The article emphasizes that every decision in life comes with its own set of regrets, as one cannot experience every possible path. It challenges the popular self-help notion that one can do anything they want, asserting that making a choice and fully committing to it is crucial. The author uses the metaphor of Schrodinger's cat to illustrate that in reality, we must live with the consequences of our decisions without the luxury of existing in a state of both/and. The article encourages readers to embrace life's messiness, make definitive choices, and understand that even inaction is a choice that leads to regret. It concludes by advising readers to accept the inevitability of regret and to focus on what they truly want when making decisions.

Opinions

The idea that "life is endless possibility" is considered misleading and unrealistic.
Commitment to a choice is more valuable than keeping one's options open indefinitely.
The metaphor of life as a melon that must be cut to see if it's good suggests that one must take action to understand life's value.
Every choice is seen as a privilege, acknowledging that not everyone has the freedom to make certain decisions.
The article posits that every decision creates "ghost ships" of unexplored alternatives, implying that regret is an inherent part of life.
Readers are encouraged to take action and make decisions without stressing over unknowable outcomes.
The author quotes Soren Kirkegaard to reinforce the central theme that regret is unavoidable, regardless of the choice made.

Do It or Don’t Do It — You Will Regret Both

A skeleton-key to unlock decision-paralysis

The truth is, whatever you do, you will regret the paths you didn’t take.

It’s not taking the road less traveled that makes all the difference.

It’s commitment. It’s diving in without apology, without covering your back. It’s taking a stand and living your life according to it.

Here’s what we’re told: “Life is endless possibility. You can do anything you want.” That’s what so much of self-help crap tells us.

It’s bullshit. You have to choose.

You’re not Schrodinger’s cat, living in a “both/and” box.

This isn’t quantum physics land. Or even if it is, you’re not conscious of that so it doesn’t matter. You don’t get to do everything. Nor do you get to wait and see what happens when the box opens.

Schrodinger’s cat might be dead, or might be alive.

You’re alive. So embrace it. Dive in and make a mess.

You can’t live life by keeping it pristine and full of possibility.

You’ve got to make it dirty. You’ve got to pick a path. Even not picking is a choice.

Here’s a quote from the movie Caramel.

“Life is a melon, you have to cut it to see if it is good”

You can be a loyal partner. Or you can have an affair.

You can spend your 20’s studying, or building a career, or doing nothing much at all.

You can have kids, or you can not have kids.

It’s so easy to back out from making a choice, by asking “what if..?”

You can spend the next 5 years writing a novel. You can spend the next five years thinking about writing a novel.

You can spend 12-months and your life savings on your dream trip, traveling the world. Or you can spend your savings on a deposit to buy a house.

You can take a job that gives your more flexibility and free time. Or the job with better pay, so you can save for a better future.

You can get married, stay single, or a myriad of other relationship options.

You can exercise more. Or exercise less to spend more time with friends.

You can eat cornflakes for breakfast. Or drink orange juice. Or both. (If you put orange juice on cornflakes, you will regret it for sure.)

There are choices at every turn.

You might not get the above choices. Your choices might be different. Every choice available to you is a privilege and freedom not everyone will get.

There are 24 hours in each day, and you’ve got to choose how you use them.

Every decision you make leaves ghost ships in its wake. Every decision you make creates regrets: things you didn’t do, things you left behind.

Stop stressing so much, and start taking action.

You can’t know every possible outcome. You can’t avoid regret, so take the path that seems best for you right now.

Life’s a melon. It won’t be ripe forever. So go on, cut it to see if it’s good.

As Soren Kirkegaard said:

“Do it, or don’t do it — you will regret both.”

When you accept that life is messy whatever choices you make, it allows you to step back and ask yourself “What do I really want here?”

You take away the potential emotional downside and look at the situation with a much clearer head.

“Should I, or shouldn’t I?” The answer is yes.

The next time you’re facing a tough choice, then do it. Or don’t do it. No matter which. You’re free to pick. You will regret both.

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