Don't Let Fear Lead to Regret

10/6/2025

By Walker S., Grade 12

Erm hey. That’s something one of my buddies used to always say: “Erm hey.” Last year, I said goodbye to him, not knowing when I was going to see him again. I made sure to be the last one to say goodbye. I hugged him tight, let out some tears, and as “Creep” by Radiohead played in the background, I said my final goodbye. But it didn’t feel right. As he was walking to the door, I felt like I needed one more hug, but no. I thought it would be weird. Now why would I think that? I’ve got no idea really. And I wish I could go back and give him one more hug. But I can’t.

This has actually happened a few times in my life. Moments where I wanted to do something, say something, show someone how much they mean to me, or just take one more step, but I didn’t. I held back. And until a few months ago, I never really asked myself: why do I do this?

Is it a fear of rejection? Am I protecting my reputation? Am I scared of failing or of taking the risk? I think so. But why should we? Why should we let those fears run our lives? Every day we already take risks. We risk our ego when we speak up in class. We risk our grades when we hand in an assignment. We risk our relationships every time we open up and show people who we really are.

And yet, it’s always the small, human things, the extra hug, the honest words, the risk of being vulnerable, that seem the hardest. We act like they’re dangerous, when really they’re the moments that make life meaningful.

Think about it: just when you walked in here, you could have tripped. You could’ve stumbled, embarrassed yourself in front of your whole advisor group. But you walked in anyway. Just because you could have tripped, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take the step. And if you never take the step, you will never keep moving forward.

So why do we treat our relationships, our dreams or our chances the same way? Why do we stop ourselves from going after them just because we might stumble? The truth is, most of the time, the worst thing that can happen isn’t even that bad. People might laugh for a second. Someone might think you’re a little weird. You might fail once or twice. But the best thing that can happen, the connection, the growth, the memory you’ll carry forever, makes the risk worth it every single time.

In one hundred years, I’m going to look back, and not regret the things I did. But I’ll regret the hugs I didn’t give, the words I didn’t say, the moments I let slip away because of fear. And I don’t want to live like that anymore, and you shouldn’t either.

So next time you feel the urge to take a step, even if it scares you, even if it feels awkward, I want you to take it. Because life is too short to let WHAT IF be the last word.

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