Don't let your past define you; let it redesign you.

Have you ever regretted something that you might've said or done? Maybe you didn't realize it was a mistake at the time or the consequences that would follow it. It was just another day, another conversation, and another action. Sometime later, you realize it was a mistake, and you can't always fix it, but what happened doesn't always just fade away. Sometimes our mistakes and regrets follow us and alter our future opportunities, relationships, etc.

College is a major stage in one's life. We go through many changes in our new found freedom and independence in being on our own as adults. Everyone is trying to figure out who they are, what they stand for, and what they believe in. In the process, things happen that we later end up wishing wouldn't of, and we can't take back whatever it is that happened or even fix it at times. Some mistake's consequences are worse than others, but that's how we learn and continue to figure out who we are.

Think back to the first time you failed a test, the first party you went to, your first heart break, your first failed friendship, your first failed attempt at something you thought you could do, the first time you couldn't fix a situation or the first time you let you or someone else down. The second time one of these comes around, you know how to deal with it. You know how to handle it. You know yourself. You went through an experience and came out stronger and better.

Sometimes when dealing with the consequences of our mistakes with negative rather than positive outcomes, we seek confirmation from those we love that we are still the same person we were before the mistake. We tend to question just who we are and what happened to us over and over and over again. We let it get to us in so many ways, but the mistake doesn't change us. We are still that same person.

"Mistakes don't define you. What defines you is how you learn from them and how you bounce back."

You are not your mistakes. You are not what people say you are. What people say, says more about them than you. You made the mistake. It's done and over with. You can't take it back now. What you can do is move on, and grow and learn from whatever happened. Don't let it happen again. You are now aware and know the consequences for your actions. Think before you say or do. Know yourself. Know your values and morals. Know what you stand for. Be confident in who you are and don't let anyone stop you. Each day is a new day. None of us are perfect, so don't let anyone tear you down. Own your mistakes, don't try to hide them and deny them. Keep going, become better.