We all have regrets, right? Well, I do. I’m one of those people with an overactive conscience, so I can make up regrets from nothingness. I’m learning to be kinder to myself (and I regret not doing so!) In no particular order, here are this year’s regrets:

1. I neglected my garden. I began the year gung ho, like Mary Mary Quite Contrary, but then as the Texas heat sapped my strength, I let it go. Even so, my garden offered grace in the form of potatoes, parsley, basil, oregano, arugula, sweet potatoes, beets, red onions, green onions, and a few tomatoes.
2. I didn’t smell the roses as much as I would’ve liked. Meaning, I didn’t rejuvenate outdoors.
3. I didn’t stop work when the kids came home. Work loomed all year long.
4. I worried way too much about money. And quite needlessly. We are doing well. No debt. No disasters. Just steady living. And yet I fretted. I can’t get back all that time I spent stressing.
5. I didn’t spend enough face-to-face time with my friends.
6. We didn’t have a vacation this year.
7. I didn’t give as much as I would’ve liked to, both financially and relationally.
8. I wish Thin Places would’ve sold better. I thought it would, so I wallowed in regret about it far too long. I should trust better in God’s sovereignty.
9. I wish I had spent a little more time doing creative things: photography, decorating, singing, playing my guitar, creating art.
10. Patrick and I didn’t have a consistent date night. We need that. But life got pretty hairy with three kids in secondary schools. I hope 2011 finds us going out more.

Q4U: What do you regret about this year?