{"id":6893,"date":"2018-10-25T07:30:51","date_gmt":"2018-10-25T11:30:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.stripedpineapple.com\/?p=6893"},"modified":"2020-11-01T22:08:02","modified_gmt":"2020-11-02T03:08:02","slug":"regretless","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.stripedpineapple.com\/?p=6893","title":{"rendered":"No Regrets"},"content":{"rendered":"

Earlier this year I wrote an article for Forever His Princess<\/a> magazine, on living a life without regrets. I’ve decided to share it with you nice folks as well. Enjoy…<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Why did I wear that?<\/b><\/h2>\n

When I was a little girl, I had a shirt I simply loved. It was dirt brown, with long sleeves and pearl buttons, and it was just the bee\u2019s knees. My older sisters hated it, and rightly so, but I wore it whether it matched my jumpers or not. Looking back at pictures now I\u2019m amazed at how hideous it was, but even so, I remember how happy it made me to wear something that I found beautiful, and I can\u2019t bring myself to rue the photos of that happy little girl in the ugly dirt brown shirt. <\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s happened with other pieces of clothing too. The brilliantly floral granny combo that was the first skirt and blouse I owned or the platform sandals that made me look as gangly and clunky as possible- they\u2019re terribly ugly in retrospect, but I still remember them fondly because I enjoyed wearing them and they made me feel beautiful. <\/span><\/p>\n

It has turned into my fashion philosophy over the years. It doesn\u2019t matter if everyone else is wearing it, the cool girls wouldn\u2019t be caught dead in it, or it\u2019s about ten years behind the trends. If I like something, that\u2019s what matters. I think that\u2019s the key to a timeless personal style, one you can look back on without regret. <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

What if I had tried?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Of course, regret extends much deeper than looking back at awful adolescent pictures and wondering how on earth we could have worn that (although we\u2019ve all done that). Regret is also that voice in the back of our minds saying, \u201cWhat if? What if I had agreed to one date? What if I had gone to teach school in Alaska? Where would I be by now?\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

I am timid when it comes to taking risks, naturally the girl in the middle who finds herself following and always taking the safe way. But in the last few years, I\u2019ve begun to change. Instead of automatically saying no when something is uncomfortable, I\u2019ve started saying yes to scary opportunities and it\u2019s changed my life.<\/span><\/p>\n

Take the summer when I decided to go to Mexico to teach English. Never mind that I knew exactly nobody else on the team, that I never wanted to be a teacher, or that I was homeschooled and wasn\u2019t even sure how a classroom was supposed to be run! Something made me say yes and to this day it remains my most golden summer; the late nights of talking, the mountains of tacos consumed, and all the lessons planned together turned into lasting friendships. One of these led to moving to Illinois for a winter of school teaching, another outrageous thing for safe little me. But in taking those risks and venturing into the crazy unknown with strangers, I found myself being stretched and filled with joy unlike ever before. <\/span><\/p>\n

Of course, I\u2019m not intimating that you too must pack up and move to far off lands to be regret-free. Of course not. But I am saying, keep your eyes open for opportunities and see if saying yes doesn\u2019t transform your life. When you make eye contact with an interesting stranger in the grocery store, start a conversation instead of silently passing them by. When you pass a sign advertising a class that intrigues you, don\u2019t let fear stop you; sign up and learn that new skill. Say yes to experiences that will expand your worldview and your broaden your life.<\/span><\/p>\n

Also, examine those far-fetched dreams niggling at the back of your mind, and evaluate honestly how you could be working on those right now. You say you want to spend a year in Paris. Well, are you learning French? You want to start your own business someday. Are you saving money for that or spending it all on burgers and mascara? Regardless if all your plans work out in the end, if you know you\u2019ve given them an honest shot, you can have the satisfaction of knowing that you tried instead of wondering, \u201cWhat if?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

How could I have done that?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Regret has one more voice that it takes on- \u201cHow could I have done that terrible thing? What on earth was I thinking? I should have kept my mouth shut!\u201d It can attack us when we know we\u2019ve done something foolish or wrong, and there is nothing we can do to change it. How we wish we could take back our regrettable actions and change the past.<\/span><\/p>\n

This is where I find huge comfort in one thing; God is a redeemer. Really, taking hideous things and making them beautiful is his specialty. He can take any dreadful decisions we\u2019ve made or harsh things we\u2019ve said, and he can turn them into something worthwhile. Because of that, we can live our lives without fear of failure or regret of the past, because he can work with the worst of our mistakes. And in that knowledge, we can rest.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A Year Ago:<\/h3>\n

Reports Confirmed of Rose Gold Streets in Millennial Section of Heaven<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Earlier this year I wrote an article for Forever His Princess magazine, on living a life without regrets. I’ve decided to share it with you nice folks as well. Enjoy…   Why did I wear that? When I was a little girl, I had a shirt I simply loved. It was dirt brown, with long sleeves and pearl buttons, and it was just the bee\u2019s knees. My older sisters hated it, and rightly so, but I wore it whether it…<\/p>\n

Read More Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6894,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[91],"tags":[406,405,407],"class_list":["post-6893","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-musings","tag-forever-his-princess","tag-no-regrets","tag-risk"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.stripedpineapple.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/IMG_4924.jpg?fit=4032%2C3024","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p8A8kG-1Nb","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":7560,"url":"http:\/\/www.stripedpineapple.com\/?p=7560","url_meta":{"origin":6893,"position":0},"title":"Let’s Talk Careers","author":"Rachel","date":"July 24, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"A while ago I posted a few questions to my Instagram story about careers, as I struggled to make a difficult career-related decision myself. You guys responded en masse and with such thoughtful and interesting answers that I simply had to write up a post rather than just continue making\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"careers\"","block_context":{"text":"careers","link":"http:\/\/www.stripedpineapple.com\/?tag=careers"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.stripedpineapple.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/DSCF3507-scaled.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.stripedpineapple.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/DSCF3507-scaled.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.stripedpineapple.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/DSCF3507-scaled.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.stripedpineapple.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/DSCF3507-scaled.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.stripedpineapple.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/DSCF3507-scaled.jpeg?fit=1200%2C800&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":6701,"url":"http:\/\/www.stripedpineapple.com\/?p=6701","url_meta":{"origin":6893,"position":1},"title":"Montana Ooh Na Na","author":"Rachel","date":"August 1, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"I went to a family reunion in Montana in July, and came home with full intentions of telling you all about my trip. I created a couple drafts of pictures, which sat and sat in desolation, while inspiration did not leap to mind. But here's what I did instead of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Relationships"","block_context":{"text":"Relationships","link":"http:\/\/www.stripedpineapple.com\/?cat=92"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.stripedpineapple.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/img_3212-e1533152236587.jpg?fit=1185%2C1200&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.stripedpineapple.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/img_3212-e1533152236587.jpg?fit=1185%2C1200&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.stripedpineapple.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/img_3212-e1533152236587.jpg?fit=1185%2C1200&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.stripedpineapple.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/img_3212-e1533152236587.jpg?fit=1185%2C1200&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.stripedpineapple.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/img_3212-e1533152236587.jpg?fit=1185%2C1200&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":8796,"url":"http:\/\/www.stripedpineapple.com\/?p=8796","url_meta":{"origin":6893,"position":2},"title":"Joys and Regrets From My Wedding","author":"Rachel","date":"September 30, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Now that I have the perspective of nearly a year since my wedding, let's chat a little about what worked great for us, and what I wish we could have tweaked a bit. And if you've had one too, please chime in and tell me all your own wedding joys\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Life in NYC"","block_context":{"text":"Life in NYC","link":"http:\/\/www.stripedpineapple.com\/?cat=462"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.stripedpineapple.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/10252024-RachelIan-0225-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.stripedpineapple.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/10252024-RachelIan-0225-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.stripedpineapple.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/10252024-RachelIan-0225-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.stripedpineapple.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/10252024-RachelIan-0225-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.stripedpineapple.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/10252024-RachelIan-0225-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7821,"url":"http:\/\/www.stripedpineapple.com\/?p=7821","url_meta":{"origin":6893,"position":3},"title":"Matrimony and a Wicked Mouse","author":"Rachel","date":"June 5, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"It's been a languid and sultry couple of days in New York City, the kind where you move slowly, sipping ice water and blowing a fan on your bare toes while you smile and look professional from the shoulders up for your zoom calls. Usually I don't care for hot\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Humor"","block_context":{"text":"Humor","link":"http:\/\/www.stripedpineapple.com\/?cat=90"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.stripedpineapple.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/IMG_3011.jpeg?fit=1200%2C900&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.stripedpineapple.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/IMG_3011.jpeg?fit=1200%2C900&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.stripedpineapple.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/IMG_3011.jpeg?fit=1200%2C900&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.stripedpineapple.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/IMG_3011.jpeg?fit=1200%2C900&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.stripedpineapple.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/IMG_3011.jpeg?fit=1200%2C900&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":5820,"url":"http:\/\/www.stripedpineapple.com\/?p=5820","url_meta":{"origin":6893,"position":4},"title":"Day 24: Red Berets","author":"Rachel","date":"February 24, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Reasons you should wear a red beret: It makes you look like a grand writer full of noble thoughts and ideas. It makes everybody want to insert you into their pictures when you're visiting a tumbling down, picturesque graveyard, because you look like a storybook character. It means your roommate\u2026","rel":"","context":"In \"month of posting\"","block_context":{"text":"month of posting","link":"http:\/\/www.stripedpineapple.com\/?tag=month-of-posting"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.stripedpineapple.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/IMG_2340.jpg?fit=1200%2C858&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.stripedpineapple.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/IMG_2340.jpg?fit=1200%2C858&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.stripedpineapple.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/IMG_2340.jpg?fit=1200%2C858&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.stripedpineapple.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/IMG_2340.jpg?fit=1200%2C858&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.stripedpineapple.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/IMG_2340.jpg?fit=1200%2C858&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":6289,"url":"http:\/\/www.stripedpineapple.com\/?p=6289","url_meta":{"origin":6893,"position":5},"title":"Month of Makeup, An Experiment","author":"Rachel","date":"April 2, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"I am not a high maintenance girl. In fact, you could say I veer in the opposite direction. Getting ready for work usually takes me fifteen minutes, max. If you know me and you're the kind of person who does take time to pretty up regularly, then you're probably thinking\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Reviews"","block_context":{"text":"Reviews","link":"http:\/\/www.stripedpineapple.com\/?cat=244"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.stripedpineapple.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/img_3273.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.stripedpineapple.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/img_3273.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.stripedpineapple.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/img_3273.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.stripedpineapple.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/img_3273.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.stripedpineapple.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/img_3273.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.stripedpineapple.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6893","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.stripedpineapple.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.stripedpineapple.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.stripedpineapple.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.stripedpineapple.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=6893"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"http:\/\/www.stripedpineapple.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6893\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7991,"href":"http:\/\/www.stripedpineapple.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6893\/revisions\/7991"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.stripedpineapple.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/6894"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.stripedpineapple.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=6893"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.stripedpineapple.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=6893"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.stripedpineapple.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=6893"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}