"Les choses sans remède devraient être sans égard: ce qui est fait est fait."

The core idea here is pretty simple: if something can't be fixed or changed, we should stop worrying about it. It's done, it's over, and there's no point in dwelling on it. Life moves on, and so should we.

This idea isn't new. It's an old piece of wisdom, often traced back to Shakespeare's "Macbeth." Lady Macbeth says it to her husband after he's tormented by guilt over his actions. She's essentially telling him to let it go, that fretting over what's already happened won't change a thing. It's a reminder that holding on to the past can prevent us from moving forward.

Now, let's talk about a real-life example. Imagine you just gave a big presentation at work. You spent weeks preparing, but when the time came, it didn't go as planned. Maybe you stumbled over your words or forgot some key points. You leave the room feeling embarrassed and frustrated. But here's the thing: it's over. No amount of rehashing the event in your mind will change what happened. The best thing you can do is learn from the experience and focus on doing better next time.

How can you apply this wisdom in your own life? Start by recognizing when you're stuck in a loop of regret or worry. Ask yourself: is there anything I can do to change the outcome? If the answer is no, make a conscious effort to let it go. It’s not easy, but with practice, you can train your mind to move on more quickly. One technique is to literally tell yourself, “What’s done is done,” and then shift your focus to something productive. Maybe dive into a new project, go for a run, or call a friend. Distracting your mind with positive actions can help break the cycle of negative thinking.

Let me give you a more relatable story. Picture this: You're at a coffee shop with a friend, enjoying a latte and catching up. Your friend confesses that she's been beating herself up over a mistake she made at work. She missed a crucial deadline, and it's been bothering her for days. You listen, nodding sympathetically. Then, you remind her of that old wisdom: “Look, what's done is done. You've already apologized and learned from it. Now, let’s not waste any more energy on it. Focus on your next task and nail it.”

It's like when you're driving a car. If you keep staring at the rearview mirror, you're bound to crash. Sure, glance back now and then to learn and be aware, but keep your eyes mainly on the road ahead. We all mess up. We all have regrets. But living a life stuck in the past isn’t really living at all.

So the next time you find yourself ruminating over something that can't be changed, take a deep breath. Tell yourself, "What's done is done," and put your energy into what you can change: the present and the future. You’ll find a lot more peace that way.