To ask how I mentally accept this mistake?

[idiotgeorge]

I made a really costly mistake because I was stressed and didn’t check something carefully before I booked it. I’m talking 1000s. It won’t leave me impoverished or anything but will make a massive dent in my savings.

I’m hoping the company in question will take pity but let’s say they don’t…

I’m looking for some good ‘mantras’ for just accepting this and moving on. I’m completely devastated but I don’t want to be overwhelmed with this feeling for too long. How do I swallow it and move on and not be filled with regret?

[RavensWig]

Ah, been there and paid the price of the Idiot Tax.

It's only money OP, absolutely gutting but you can't change it - you're human, you fucked up. Draw a line under it.

Oh, what did I do? I can't even, long story and I am SUCH a tit. Cost about £3k, which I really couldn't afford. We wheel the story of my idiocy out at parties for people to point and laugh, and I grin gamely along agreeing that yes, I am stupid.

[Ziegfeld]

I tell myself it is a sunk cost. (Google it for a full explanation)
Sunk costs are those which have been spent and gone and should not figure into your decision making process going forwards. Eg if you invested a lot of money in a business that went south, you should not invest even more into that investment just because you’ve already invested so much. What’s gone is gone and you should instead focus on your best options in the present with the resources you have now.

I find it quite helpful in drawing a line in what has happened in the past and freeing yourself to make good decisions now.

[daytripper28]

I once rocked up to the airport in our hire car with 4 other family members - at the end of a nice holiday.

And slowly realised that we were 24 hours late for our flight.

That was quite an expensive holiday but I have lived to tell the tale and laugh about it.

Time is a healer for things like that

[BasiliskStare]

@Ziegfeld i agree with you re sunk costs - just move on . Either get back what you can or just move on and don't think of it again - it is gone. In 10 years time you probably will forget it or laugh.

[idiotgeorge]

I’m so sorry for what you went through and really happy to hear he’s well now. You’re right - this is nothing compared to that.