@carol222 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect.

I think we all do things we regret. It's part of being human. Sometimes it doesn't feel like there is anything wrong at the time, and later we come to understand we might have handled things differently, and had a different outcome. I'm sorry this has caused you to dwell negatively on yourself.

Perhaps, pick up a pen and paper. Write yourself a letter, and tell the story of the regret, how it has affected you, and what you would like to do now. What you might have done differently. What you would like to promise yourself to turn that mis-step into a pathway to your passions and happiness now. I truly believe we have the opportunity to change a negative into a positive. Not saying it is easy, and may be quite the struggle, but the rewards can be enormous.

Does this sound like something you might try?
Ginger