By Olivia Grant April 27, 2025

I wish I could go back and do things differently, but I can’t. I can’t change the past, no matter how much I wish I could.

When I was younger, I had a dream man. I had this incredible connection with him, a connection that seemed undeniable, but I was too insecure to act on it. I always thought I wasn’t good enough for him, that he deserved someone better, someone who had it all together, someone who wasn’t as messed up inside as I felt. And so, I let that opportunity slip through my fingers.

Instead, I settled. I settled for someone who was safe, someone who didn’t challenge me, someone who didn’t make me feel the way he did. I married him, and we had two beautiful children together. Don’t get me wrong—my family is important to me. I love my kids, but I can’t shake the feeling that I missed out on something that could’ve been so much more.

Years later, I reconnected with that guy. We started talking as friends, and that old spark was still there, but something was different. We were both older, wiser in some ways, but the regret never left me. I remember the moment he told me that he was interested in me too back then, but he was too shy to make a move. My heart sank. I couldn’t believe it. If I had just taken the chance, if I had been brave enough to show him how I felt, maybe things would’ve turned out differently.

But now, all I have is what I’ve built with my husband. A safe, comfortable life, but one that doesn’t excite me, one that doesn’t make me feel alive like I felt with him. The worst part is knowing that he was probably feeling the same way I was—that we both could’ve had something special if only we’d been a little more courageous.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from all this, it’s this: never settle. Don’t settle for a life or a love that doesn’t make you feel seen, heard, and adored. You are worthy of the kind of love that makes you feel like you’re living, not just existing. You deserve someone who will make you feel special every single day, someone who will love you the way you’ve always dreamed of being loved.

Don’t be afraid to take chances. Don’t let fear, insecurity, or doubts stop you from going after what you truly want. Because settling for less than what you deserve is never worth it. I wish I had known that back then.