Choices are often based on the information and knowledge available at the time. When one is young and inexperienced, the wisest choices might not always be made. As an individual matures, he/she becomes a reflection of the cumulative choices made over time. Making bad choices can be viewed as life lessons, but only if one does not continue to make the same bad choices over and over.

The reasons for bad choices fall into several categories:

• Lack of experience

• Lack of knowledge

• Lack of judgment

• Lack of maturity

As one gets older and has more exposure to life experiences, poor choices might result from judgment being clouded with feelings of inferiority or superiority, substance abuse, mental illness, poverty, envy and all the other numerous conditions and situations influencing the human condition.

Another significant reason one might make bad choices is low self-esteem. Subconsciously if one believes him/herself undeserving of better in life, one might settle for the bad choice. Negative inner voices resonating from the past could make you believe this is the best you can hope for, and again you settle.

When you find yourself repeatedly making bad choices, it might be time to think about getting help with self-esteem issues. Repeating the same bad choices over and over can be your downfall, and put you at risk on various levels. A few sessions with a reputable therapist or a life coach could help you to put things in perspective, make peace with unresolved past issues and learn to prioritize.

Bad choices often fall under the category of inexperience. Most bad choices are made in ignorance and, when you later become enlightened through knowledge or maturity, it is best to cut your losses and move on to better choices.

Bad choices are regrettable  when you knowingly enter into the bad choice and continue along that path with no remorse.

On the other hand, time has a way of putting some previously perceived bad choices into perspective. What seemed like a bad choice at the time, upon reflection, could be a blessing in disguise. How often have you thought to yourself, “If I hadn’t made that choice, I would not have been in the right place to receive this good opportunity.”

Life is a continuous opportunity for learning. There is no point wasting time on regrets about poor choices. Better to move on with the lessons learned and give deliberate thought to making better choices going forward.