Tara, I'm so glad we've crossed paths (although I've been flaky AF lately). I think it's so hard to imagine a different life and a different personality for ourselves, based on different choices/circumstances/events/etc. Maybe in an alternate life, you would like yourself as much or more. Maybe you would have learned even more profound things about yourself. And maybe not. I think the issue is that we just tend to think that things would be worse, when they would likely just be different.

Aside from that, I agree with appreciating the learning experiences that have come out of the hurt I've caused or had inflicted on me. I'm mostly frustrated that collectively we seem so focused on the positives, that we neglect to consider how stuff affects us or others negatively.

If you decide to write more about your perspective, I'd love to read it!