Regrets in 2025? 5 Simple Ways to Move Forward

Regrets. We all have them, right? Maybe you didn’t call your mom enough last year, maybe you spent more money than you wanted, or maybe (like me) you fell down the endless scrolling rabbit hole on your phone. Whatever it is, you don’t need to overhaul your life to feel better. You just need to move the dial a little bit.

Let’s make this simple and actionable.

Step 1: Pick ONE Regret

Not five. Not ten. Just one. Focusing on one thing keeps it manageable and prevents that spiral of “I’m messing up again.” For me, it was scrolling. I spent way too much time on my phone in 2025, and honestly, it shocked me when I looked at my phone usage data.

Step 2: Add or Remove Friction

This tip comes straight from James Clear’s Atomic Habits: if you want to do less of something, make it harder. If you want to do more of something, make it easier. I want to scroll less, so I'm leaving my phone in a different room and setting time limits on my apps.

• To reduce a habit: Keep your phone in another room. Out of sight, out of mind. Make it difficult to scroll mindlessly.

• To increase a habit: Want to call your mom more? Set a calendar invite with your mom for every Sunday at 7 PM. Want to work out? Lay out your shoes, socks, and gear in one spot so it’s effortless to start.

Step 3: Pair Habits Together

If you must watch something on your phone, do it while washing dishes or walking on the treadmill. Pairing habits makes the less productive one feel more purposeful.

Step 4: Be Curious, Not Judgmental

You don’t need to dig deep into the “why” every time. Sometimes, it’s enough to say, “Hmm, that’s interesting,” and make a small plan to improve. For me, scrolling was partly about coping with grief after losing my dad in 2024. Giving myself grace was just as important as setting limits.

Step 5: Take Tiny Steps

Don’t aim for perfection, but aim for progress. Set app limits. Move your phone. Schedule that call. Lay out your weights. These small actions add up.

Bottom line: Use regrets as signals that something matters to you. So pick one, tweak it, and celebrate the small wins. You’ve got this!