Discussion & Journal Activity: Exploring Regret and How We Relate to It

We all carry moments we wish had gone differently: things we did not say, chances we did not take, or goals we were not able to meet. While we cannot rewrite the past, we can learn from it, grow through it, and use it to guide the choices we make next.

Please join us for a morning of community, conversation, and connection as we explore the role regret plays in our lives. Together we will reflect on how it shapes our decisions, what it can teach us, and how reframing regret can help us live with more intention and purpose. We will meet at Nossa Familia Coffee (1633 SE 3rd Ave, Portland, OR 97214).

This will be an open, casual discussion where you are welcome to share as much or as little as you would like. We will close with a short reflective journaling exercise designed to turn insights into action.

Please bring your thoughts, stories, and experiences. Feel free to grab some drinks and socialize.

Potential Discussion Questions:

• How do you define regret, and what different forms can it take (according to Daniel H. Pink)?
• In what ways can regret shape how we understand our lives?
• Is there such a thing as healthy regret? What makes regret healthy or unhealthy?
• How can open conversations about regret make it less isolating or stigmatized?
• How do you accept regret or move forward?
• What role do perspective, self-compassion, and emotional intelligence (EQ) play in how we respond to regret?
• In what ways does regret differ from guilt, shame, or disappointment? How can EQ help us distinguish between them?
• How can we reframe regret from something heavy into something useful?

Meetup Guidelines:

• All perspectives are welcome. There is no “right” or “wrong.”
• Please be present and respectful while others are speaking.
• Listen without interrupting. Help create a space that feels safe and inclusive.
• This gathering is meant for sharing and learning together, not as professional advice or therapy.

References:

• Daniel H. Pink | TED | 4 Kinds of Regret – and What They Teach You about Yourself
• Psychology Today – How to Deal with Regret
• Greater Good Science Center – How Regrets Can Help You Make Better Decisions