Self-esteem issues and self-doubt are ruthless, aren’t they? Rumination is just as bad. I am still pining over a guy who I let myself develop serious feelings for, in spite of never feeling like I was fit to shine his shoes – let alone be a friend (or more). Granted, his body language and nonverbal cues were confusing as all get-out, but I think I could have gotten past the awkwardness if I didn’t hate myself so much. The sting of not telling him how I felt – combined with my Pollyanna-ish hope that he’d have felt the same way about me – is a festering wound that will probably never heal.

I wish I had some magic words of wisdom for you. I distract myself with movies, TV shows, music and hobbies so I don’t have time to think about what I regret. I have learned that ruminating and wallowing in regret will not change the past – it only robs me of my future.

Spend your time working on becoming the best you that you can be, so that you can give the best of yourself to the right person when you meet him.