Holding yourself accountable.
“The trouble with ‘if only’ is that it doesn’t change anything. It keeps the person facing the wrong way - backward instead of forward. It wastes time. In the end, if you let it become a habit, it can become a real roadblock - an excuse for not trying anymore.”
― Arthur Gordon, A Touch of Wonder
There's a fine line, a delicate balance, that must be acknowledged when considering past actions and how they affect your future. While you should always take responsibility for your actions in the moment, you can't blame your past self for things you can no longer change or take in a different direction. You can only focus on being a better version of the person you used to be. But always remember that old version, so you can track your progress.