The Book of Regrets is a place to record any regret of any size from any time by any person. If you’d like to share a regret, you may email it to the address below and it will be uploaded to this page. You can also write it out in your own hand, take a photo, and share that way.

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Mail-In Regret

 

This was the first “IRL” submission that the Museum of Emotions received and I wanted to capture some of the elements of packaging in addition to the “regrets” themselves.

These six regrets on small format polaroids in b&w at first seem to have no connection between image and statement. Nevertheless they possess a quiet truth in each sentence. But the more one looks at the visual relationship between objects in the foreground, another story appears.

These regrets are pretty funny and poignant, universally true, and very reflective. My wish is that anyone reading this has the courage to express their regrets to someone in their life most needing to hear the truth.

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“one day my daughter and I were walking along Broadway and we ran into one of my neighbors – a lovely woman – and we were standing in front of the Broadway Diner – and she asked if we would join her for breakfast – and I declined/saying that we had plans/not true – and why I declined I don’t know – later on/down the road - – her son purchased her apartment and flipped it – put her in a nursing home and I never saw her again. I heard through the building staff that she had passed away shortly after entering the nursing home – and so I missed a golden opportunity to dine w/this lovely woman who was witty and charming – and, believe it or not, I still recall that every time I pass the Broadway Diner – on the east side of Broadway – between 100th and 101st –”

 

“I regret sending that text.”

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“I regret not spending more time with my son. His passing a few years ago has left a hole in my life and so many moments not spent together, words unsaid, experiences missed. So many regrets...”

“Shoulda woulda coulda bought the 3" realistic plastic toy statue of the Pope when in Rome.”

“Shoulda woulda coulda bought the 3" realistic plastic toy statue of the Pope when in Rome.”

 
 
“i regret not taking the telephone answering machine cassette home the day i got to work in 1989 or so and found a message on the machine, that said "Hi, It's Laurie, it's 10 to 10" in the inimitably dulcet and spare tones of none other than Ms. And…

“i regret not taking the telephone answering machine cassette home the day i got to work in 1989 or so and found a message on the machine, that said "Hi, It's Laurie, it's 10 to 10" in the inimitably dulcet and spare tones of none other than Ms. Anderson herself. That said, if i'd have duped it, i probably would've lost it by now or it would have gotten stretched out and deteriorated as most tape eventually does. Perhaps by not saving it, it got saved it in my mind's ear.”

“I regret not establishing emotional boundaries with my very demanding friend M______ earlier this winter. Today she texted me, "You don't need to be an asshole." I think because I didn't respond to a phone call in the middle of my work day yesterday. But I feel like SHE is the one who has been an asshole to me for months! I, not wanting to engage in conflict, have said nothing. Regrettably.”

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“I regret choosing the more complex pursuit for my work when the most obvious one was the closest to my heart.”