risk vs. regret: why it’s worth it to walk away
- Ronja Hübscher
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
subscribe on
There’s something far worse than failure: regret. Wishing you’d tried. Wishing you’d gone for it. That lingering “what if” can echo louder than any stumble ever could.
In this post, I want to explore the idea of risk versus regret, and how sometimes the hardest decision—changing your life—ends up being the most rewarding one. I was reminded of this by a simple yet profound conversation with a stranger.
A Chat with an Uber Driver That Hit Home
Not long ago, I had a beautiful exchange with an Uber driver. These moments—brief, honest conversations with strangers—are often unexpectedly powerful. He told me he had only recently started driving for Uber. Before that, for ten years, he owned a shop in East London.
I immediately felt admiration. Running your own business for a decade takes immense resilience, especially in a customer-facing role. That kind of consistency and courage deserves recognition. But instead of receiving my compliment with pride, he instinctively defended his choice to leave it all behind.
“You get to a certain age where it’s just too much. The obligation is too much. You don’t want the responsibility anymore.” He didn’t owe me an explanation—but I understood the urge to justify big life changes. I’d been there.
Walking Away… or Walking Towards?
We often frame life changes as “walking away,” but I prefer to think of them as walking towards something new. In his case, he wasn’t just giving up a business—he was choosing a new kind of freedom.
He now drives Uber on his terms and has even begun investing in properties. He can turn the app on and off whenever he wants, which allows him to earn a living while pursuing even bigger goals. He’s created a lifestyle aligned with what matters most to him—flexibility, peace, and control. That’s not “giving up.” That’s growth.
The Pressure to Defend Your Path
His story reminded me of my own journey—one that also involved a massive pivot and a quiet inner battle against societal expectations.
I once studied law. And while I found it intellectually stimulating, I wasn’t passionate about it. After two years, I made the bold decision to switch my degree to English. The change felt right, but the way people responded to it... didn’t.
Suddenly, the curiosity disappeared. Gone were the questions about what kind of lawyer I wanted to be or where I hoped to practice. Instead, I got asked things like:
“Oh, what are you going to do with that?”
“Why did you waste two years?”
“Aren’t you thinking of going back?”
I felt ashamed for choosing something that brought me more joy—ashamed for not sticking with the “prestigious” path. And every time someone who didn’t know I’d switched asked about law, I’d scramble to justify my decision, list the “advantages” of English, prove that I was still on track.
But I shouldn’t have had to. Because here’s what people often miss: just because something is good doesn’t mean it’s good for you.
What “Wasted Time” Really Looks Like
Looking back, I can still see how valuable those two years of law were. I can still feel their impact now. Here's only a few of the things they brought me:
I developed critical thinking and analytical skills.
I became familiar with legal jargon—something I still use when working with documents or contracts for my business.
And perhaps most meaningfully, I met two of my now closest friends. That alone made the timeline worth it.
When I made the switch, I unknowingly set myself on a timeline that felt meant to be—even if it didn’t make sense to others. Everything that followed fell into place because of that decision.
A Moment of Recognition
Years later, during a holiday dinner, I reconnected with some of my old law school friends. One of them had changed paths too—leaving his law master's program to train as a physiotherapist. And I could see it in his face: he was lit up. Happier.
While others at the table moved the conversation on quickly, I paused. I looked at him, smiled and nodded and said, “takes courage.”
He paused, surprised, and with a smile said, “Yes. Yes, it does.” It was a quiet moment of mutual recognition. No justification. No need for explanation. Just two people acknowledging that choosing happiness—real happiness—takes guts.
You Don’t Owe Anyone an Explanation
That’s what I want to leave you with: you don’t owe anyone an explanation for making a change that brings you closer to the life you want. Whether it’s switching careers, starting over, or saying no to something that once felt safe—these choices are yours to make.
Yes, they take courage. Yes, people might not understand. But no one else is living your life. You are. And that makes your joy, your freedom, your peace… worth every risk.
From One Risk-Taker to Another
As for the Uber driver, he’s now building his future on his own terms. And I couldn’t admire that more. His story reminded me of my own—and perhaps, it reminds you of yours.
So here’s my message to anyone standing at a crossroads, fearing regret more than failure: Take the risk. Change your path. Live your truth. Because the only thing worse than failing is wishing you'd tried.
PINCH ME!!!
I’ve been nominated for Best Positive Impact Speaker AND Speaker of the Year at the Women Thrive Summit 2025—and your vote could help this story reach even more people.
👉 Click here to vote (it takes 1 minute, email required but no newsletter opt-in needed!) - you'll find my name in the second category under 'Best Positive Speaker' and at the end when you can enter my name for 'Speaker of the Year'.
Thank you for being part of this journey. Let’s keep breaking the accent barrier—together.
VOTE HERE - voting ends soon!!
LAST CHANCE to catch the replay of my talk for FREE - head to https://womenthrive.link/ronjahuebscher
and don't forget to vote afterward!
