No one is perfect, everyone carries regrets, but they don’t have to define us. Guilt shows you care, but holding on to it only keeps you stuck. You deserve peace and the chance to begin again.
Ways to move on:
- Acknowledge and accept what happened without judgment; self-awareness is the key to freedom.
- Practice self-forgiveness, remind yourself you did the best you could with what you knew then.
- Make amends where possible, eg a sincere apology or action can bring closure.
- Look ahead with hope, make small, positive steps toward growth instead of replaying the past.
Best Self Help Books on Regret and Guilt
The Power of Regret: How Looking Backward Moves Us Forward by Daniel H. Pink
Daniel Pink flips the script on regret, showing how this often painful emotion can actually be one of our most valuable teachers. Through research, real-life stories, and practical insights, he reveals how reflecting on what we wish we’d done differently can sharpen our decision-making, deepen our connections, and motivate us toward a better future.
Let Go of the Guilt: Stop Beating Yourself Up and Take Back Your Joy by Valorie Burton
Valorie Burton offers a compassionate and empowering guide to release the guilt that weighs so many people down. With practical strategies and heartfelt encouragement, she shows how to identify false guilt, set healthy boundaries, and embrace a life rooted in grace and freedom.
Guilt, Shame, and Anxiety: Understanding and Overcoming Negative Emotions by Peter R. Breggin MD
Renowned psychiatrist Dr. Peter Breggin untangles the destructive grip of guilt, shame, and anxiety, showing how these emotions hold us back from living fully. Combining clinical wisdom with compassion, he provides tools to break free from harmful thought patterns and cultivate self-respect, resilience, and confidence.
Getting Past What You’ll Never Get Over: Help for Dealing with Life’s Hurts by John F. Westfall
Gentle guidance for those carrying hurts that never fully fade. Instead of pretending pain disappears, Westfall shows how to embrace life with hope, joy, and resilience while honoring the scars we keep. Through personal stories and practical wisdom, this book helps readers find a “new normal” and live fully even in the shadow of loss.
If Only… Finding Freedom from Regret by Robert L. Leahy
Cognitive-behavioral expert Robert Leahy helps you stop being haunted by “if only” thinking and start embracing life as it is. Through science-based strategies and relatable examples, he shows how to manage regret, stop replaying the past, and focus on creating meaning in the present. This book is a roadmap to self-acceptance, peace of mind, and freedom from regret’s grip.
No Regrets: A Ten-Step Program for Living in the Present and Leaving the Past Behind by Hamilton Beazley
A clear, step-by-step program to break free from the hold of past regrets. With warmth and wisdom, it guides readers through a process of forgiveness, acceptance, and mindful living. By learning to release what cannot be changed, we open the door to living fully in the present with confidence, clarity, and joy.
These helpful books are all available at great prices from Amazon.