We reflect on ourselves — our actions and thoughts, and the perceptions of others — to improve and find a purpose to live. Life is like a sketchpad, and experiences are brush strokes. They cannot be undone, but flipping to a blank page allows a fresh start. It is entirely up to the painter to revise the drawings or repeat the sketches, hoping for a better or similar output.

These experiences include mistakes that are inevitable, and they come with regrets and remorse. It could be emotionally draining and spiral with no end. I used to internalize small details of my actions and things told by others for a while. It was not always constructive, and I got emotional damage that lingered for days.

Then one day the realization hit me that other people do not care about me as much as I assumed. People are caring and empathetic, I am sure, but they are occupied with their problems and daily struggles just like mine. This was liberating, and I felt happier. I began to shift towards not taking things too seriously. It felt easier to move on from my own mistakes, and I gradually developed an internal reminder that the way we communicate and treat others is a reflection of ourselves. I have had many instances where people did not remember their actions and words spoken to me, which I had engraved in my head and considered a big deal. I felt silly and told myself why I wasted my mental energy on something so minuscule and meaningless to others.

I have also become more generous and forgiving of myself. I consider myself to be an action-oriented person who is not worried about failure. I plan within my ability, but I also do not hesitate to the point that it disables taking action. I have a lot of respect for people who are cautious and less flawed at execution, but I know that it is not for me. Understanding this about me allowed me to accept my decisions, and their consequences, much more easily — if the outcome is good, then I quietly applaud myself; if it is not favorable, then I learn from it and move on.

This brings me to the fact that life is too short to be held by the past and emotions. Whether you feel happy or sad, time passes in exactly the same way. Live for yourself and focus on what matters to you — your wellbeing, family, friends, and happiness. Learn to let go of things before you tell yourself, let's go.