Stop Writing Stories You’ll Regret Retelling

Every Excuse Becomes a Story. But Is It One You Want to Keep Telling?

We’ve all done it.

We had a reason not to start. A reason not to call. A reason not to risk, to speak up, to leave, to stay. And in the moment, those reasons made sense. They felt like armor wrapped around our fear. But fast-forward a few years, and those so-called “reasons” often come back around as stories we tell ourselves to explain the gap between where we are and where we wish we were.

Here’s the kicker. Those stories don’t age well.

They start to sound less like truth and more like regret in disguise.

• "I didn’t have time."

• "It just wasn’t the right season."

• "I didn’t want to fail."

• "They probably wouldn’t have said yes anyway."

We repeat these lines so often they become our personal mythology. But deep down, we know what they really are: well-dressed excuses, replayed until we believe them. Until one day, someone asks why we didn’t go for it. And we find ourselves telling a story that no longer feels noble. It just feels empty.

Why We Cling to Excuses (And Why They Cost More Than We Think)

Excuses are rarely about laziness. They’re about fear.

Fear of failure. Fear of judgment. Fear of being seen trying and not succeeding.

But here’s the cost. Every excuse delays the version of you that could’ve been. The one who tried. Who learned. Who grew. Who possibly even won.

And what we don’t realize in the moment is that excuses don’t just protect us. They rob us. They rob us of time, momentum, self-trust, and the satisfaction that comes from doing the thing. Even if it wasn’t perfect.

Rewrite Your Story Before Regret Starts Writing It for You

Here’s the shift. You don’t have to keep telling a story you don’t like. You can change the narrative right now, not years from now when it’s too late to revise.

Here’s how to get started:

1. Notice your go-to excuses.

   What stories do you tell yourself on repeat? Write them down. Name them. Bring them into the light.

2. Ask: is this an explanation or an escape?

   There’s a difference between a real limitation and a convenient out. Be honest with yourself.

3. Start small, but start.

   You don’t need to write a whole new book. Just start a new paragraph. Action is the antidote to excuse.

4. Build your story forward.

   Imagine this: someone asks you in 10 years why you made this choice. What do you want your answer to be?

You’re Not Stuck. You’re Just Between Chapters

Your past excuses don’t define your future progress.

Every day, you hold the pen. You have the power to change the plot, flip the page, and start writing a story that makes you proud. Not one that makes you pause when someone asks about it.

Because one day, you will have to tell that story again. And when you do, let it be a tale of courage, clarity, and movement. Not a highlight reel of hesitation.

So here’s your question:

If someone asked you to explain your life 10 years from now, would your story sound like purpose... or just a really polished excuse?