What's the worst decision or mistake you have made in your life that you still regret to this day, but taught you something that you value today?

Words hurt, even if you don't mean for them to.

In middle school, I had a friend and both of us were artist. Now, I was considered the better artist between us, and this is important because my friend had many issues with anxiety and self esteem.

Either way, I would offer her what I thought were tips for her drawings in the form of jokes. However, she must have heard these as stabs to her artistic talent and skill, which to her, was really degrading.

By the time I had realized this, the damage had already been done. I then spent the next year trying to apologize to her before I finally realized that, she heard my apology and forgave me. She just didn't wanna talk to me anymore.

I still hate the fact that I hurt her in that way, and honestly, I haven't really forgiven myself for it. I do my best to leave her be now for both of our sakes. Also, while this did teach me to be careful with my words, it kind of left a mark.

Now I have a hard time believing I'm a good person, and Everytime I make a joke, I panic whether it was insulting or not.

I learned to think before I speak, yes

But I still regret saying what I did. Not just because I don't trust myself anymore though, but also because I hurt someone I cared about when I stupidly thought I was helping them.

/r/AskReddit Thread