Rearview Mirror Thinking and the Power of Letting Go

“That’s rearview mirror thinking” is a quote my husband often throws out to remind me that we are not the same people we once were in our previous lives/marriages.

Occasionally, I need to be reminded of this fact.

I have a tendency to trip and fall back into thoughts about past mistakes, which may in turn send me tumbling down into a pathetic guilty shame spiral.

When this happens it is not beneficial for myself or anyone else around me.

Sometimes I am a slow learner. But I am learning. So I will celebrate progress over perfection. To be clear, guilt trips are not entirely bad.

There are a few positive outcomes potentially derived as a result of having a contrite heart.

My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise. Psalm 51:17 NIV

1. We may be given an opportunity to make appropriate amends and set things right in relationships where we have wronged another person [or God].

2. Hopefully we learn (sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly) from our past regrets, and avoid repeating them in the future.

   
   

“Rearview Mirror Thinking” is exactly what it sounds like.

“Rearview mirror thinking” is a cognitive trap where individuals focus too heavily on past experiences, mistakes, or successes, hindering their ability to move forward. Often cited in leadership and personal development, it highlights that while the past informs, dwelling on it causes one to “drive” forward blindly, prioritizing past comfort zones over future potential. — -Excerpt from Google AI overview

In life we tend to move in the direction we are looking toward.

Philippians 3:13–14: “But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal…”Isaiah 43:18–19: “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!”.Luke 9:62: “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God”.Ecclesiastes 7:10: “Do not say, ‘Why were the old days better than these?’ For it is not wise to ask such questions”.Proverbs 4:25–26: “Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you.”

Do you want to continue progressing forward while growing, improving, and building a better future?

OR

Do you want to stay stuck in the past, paralyzed, rendering yourself useless, unproductive, depressing to be around?

It’s more than okay to feel your feelings.

Processing grief from loss and feelings of regret for errors in judgement is healthy and necessary for Spiritual Growth.

Letting go of long-harbored resentments is also healthy and required for personal peace and JOY!

The point is that not all rearview thoughts are detrimental.

However, getting stuck there is potentially harmful.

At the risk of sounding cliche, it is important to

LET GO, LET GOD

© Nora Gwen

May we breathe deeply as we inhale grace and exhale praise for this fresh start to do markedly better today than yesterday.

If you find these meditations and affirmations to be helpful, please consider purchasing a coffee ☕ buymeacoffee.com/GratefulGwen