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"  A year ago, I left the company Id been with for 10 years (as a flight attendant) to pursue a better opportunity or so I thought. My new job required more hours, more time away from home, and I was paid a lot less. I gave it a try for a few months, but quit because the job was too stressful. I tried to return to my first company, but once I resigned they wouldnt rehire me. Now I keep beating myself up for deciding to leave them. How can I forgive myself and move on? A.S., 35, Chicago You, my dear, simply need to attempt to see this event in a different light. Whenever you start beating yourself up about it, imagine how you might console a friend who took a risk that didnt pan out. Youd say, I think it took a lot of guts to do what you did, or Well, you needed a change anyway. This didnt work out, but something else will. Grant yourself this same respect and compassion. Once, when I was feeling depressed about something Id done something I thought was ridiculously stupid a friend said, Karen, have a little mercy on yourself. I love that word, mercy. Its so expansive and generous. Have mercy on yourself for your willingness to take a chance.  Every successful person on earth has made missteps. When he was in the throes of trying to invent the lightbulb, Thomas Edison said this about trying something new: I have not failed 700 times; I have succeeded in proving 700 ways in which this will not work. Take this to heart and know that something better will come along.  Karen Karbo is the author of How to Hepburn: Lessons on Living from Kate the Great. Shes also a mom, a writing teacher, and a horse owner. Send your questions to her at: The Hard Stuff, REDBOOK, 300 W. 57th St., New York, NY 10019, or karenkarbo@redbookmag.com. Letters may be edited for clarity and length, and must include your initials, age, city, and state. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.redbookmag.com/life/money-career/advice/a3522/hs-regret-quitting-job/>