Regrets: I have a few...

Food for thought. Reflecting about ...

• I regret not… earlier. 
• The decision I regret the most is… . 
• In the future I might regret… if I don’t change anything about… . 
• I used to regret… but now I’ve come to terms with it. 

Questions: 

• What things do people tend to regret? 
• What is worse, regretting doing something or not doing something? Why? 
• How do you think regrets change with age?

Decide whether the regrets are more common among kids and teens or adults. Explain your choices. 

• a) get into a fight with their best friend 
• b) not take more advantage of their college experience 
• c) tease their sister 
• d) not follow their dreams earlier in life 
• e) get angry at their family 
• f) not stay single longer 
• g) not say sorry more often
• h) not spend time with their oldest brother

Discuss to what extent you agree with the statements (0 – disagree, 1 – partly agree, 2 – agree, 3 – absolutely agree). Give reasons for your opinions. 

• The older you get, the fewer things you tend to regret. 

• If you listen to the regrets older people have, you are likely to avoid their mistakes. 

• Regretting too many things is meaningless as we can’t change the past. 

• If you focus on your regrets, you might overlook new opportunities. 

• For some people, their regrets are the only thing they have as it’s too late for them to change anything

• People who say they don’t regret anything are only fooling themselves.

Paraphrase the following regrets using the word in brackets. Make any other changes where necessary. 

a) I regret making this decision without talking to anyone. If I had, everything would have turned out much better. (should) 

b) I shouldn’t have taken a taxi to work. With all these traffic jams, I’m going to be late. (wish) 

c) I regret lying to them in the first place. Now I’m lost and have no idea what to do next. (only) If

d) I should have spent more time preparing for this exam. Then, I would have got a better result. (wish)

e) I regret moving to the countryside. There’s so little for me to do apart from my work and I feel bored most of the time. (should) 

f) If only I had never said that to her. She’ll never forgive me! (regret) 

Pictures. Students look at the pictures and make a sentence using “wish”. Flip them to see a possible answer.

• If you could change something in your body, what would it be?
•  If you could change something about your personality, what would you change?
• If you could change anything about your job, what would it be?
• If you could change something about you partner, what would it be?
• If you could change something about your life, what would it be?
• If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be?

2.  I WISH (THAT)/IF ONLY+ WOULD

• What annoys you about living where you live now?
• What annoys you most about living at home with your family?
• What annoying habits does your best friend have?
• What is the most annoying thing about your partner?
• Is there anything about your teacher that annoys you? 

Love and Regret Lyrics

Cold dawn won't comfort you
Cold coffee won't see you through
Cold sheets won't heal your heart
Your frozen fingers of your name so tarred

I know so rarely that things come your way
Your ways are tender and your paths are straight
Your mind's not lived in the way ours are set
Your heart is open to love and regret

Rings and letters they pass you by
You wish them well and seldom cry
For stones and promises and wedding sighs
You've known the times that you've lived and died

These sailors come by and spend time ashoe
Their thoughts are hoarded as yours have been stored
Your mind's not lived in the way ours are set
Your heart is open to love and regret

Outside in the morning air
I hear the soundtrack of the blues-harp player
It touches feelings that you don't arouse
Knocks me back to that shuttered house
Take me back when they're all out
Take me back to that shuttered house

I know so rarely that things come your way
Your ways are tender and your paths are straight
Your mind's not lived in the way ours are set
Your heart is open to love and regret

Love and regret