Toss Away the “Could Haves” and “Should Haves” Day - Get rid of your regrets and embrace optimism as we celebrate Toss Away the ‘Could Haves’ and ‘Should Haves’ Day.

Toss Away the “Could Haves” and “Should Haves” Day 2025 – July 19, 2025

Toss Away the ‘Could Haves’ and ‘Should Haves’ Day is celebrated across the United States on the third Saturday in July. This year, it falls on July 22 .This day was created by author and motivational speaker Martha J. Ross-Rodgers to encourage people to let go of the past and live in the present. To celebrate, get a piece of paper and a pen, jot down your regrets and then toss it out or burn it. Make a resolution not to live in the past. Your best years are ahead of you, so why give up now?

History of Toss Away the “Could Haves” and “Should Haves” Day

Toss Away the ‘Could Haves’ and ‘Should Haves’ Day has to be one of the longest holiday names out there. The length of the name, however, masks a very simple message: don’t dwell on the things you cannot control.Your ‘could haves’ and ‘should haves’ could take any form. It could be thinking about missed opportunities or broken relationships and wishful thinking about things you wish you had. This observance aims to encourage everyone to focus on the things that matter. You must prioritize the present and be optimistic about the future. Spend less time asking yourself questions like “why did I do that?”. Altering the past is firmly out of our control, so we must focus on the here and now. Wasting time on regrets will accomplish nothing. The idea is to live life to the fullest to have no regrets when it ends.Today is the day to collect all of the past ‘could haves’ and ‘should haves’ and dump them in the garbage. After that, put the past behind you and embrace life to the fullest. Whenever this holiday comes calling on the third Saturday in July, that’s all it is telling you to do. Martha J. Ross-Rodgers invented this holiday several years ago. She is a motivational speaker and author who focuses on assisting people in living in the now and realizing their full potential.

Toss Away the “Could Haves” and “Should Haves” Day timeline

1949
Education at the Centre

Education is the main instigator of regret in the U.S. according to several Gallup surveys.

1990s
Regret is Defined

Psychologists define regret as a "negative emotion predicated on an upward, self-focused, counterfactual inference.

2005
Educational Regrets

A study reveals that educational choices are the major regret of many adults.

2018
Health Care Regret

People are far more likely to experience "ideal-based regrets," such as failing to follow their aspirations or living up to their full potential, according to a 2018 study.

Toss Away the “Could Haves” and “Should Haves” Day FAQs

What causes regret?

Many specialists believe that regret is a mental process shaped by evolution. That is, it is advantageous for a species to understand past mistakes and remember them to avoid making similar mistakes in the future.

What are the most common regrets?

Foundation regrets, connection regrets, moral regrets, and boldness regrets are the four main categories of regret.

Why is regret such a strong feeling?

Regret is an extremely strong emotion. It can be so unpleasant that one tries to avoid making decisions altogether, which might lead to making choices in the heat of the moment.

How to Observe Toss Away the “Could Haves” and “Should Haves” Day

  1. Learn to let go

    To enjoy the future, you must let go of the past. Let go of the things that have been weighing you down and live in the present

  2. Share your new resolution

    Share your new resolution with others. Post on social media with the hashtag #TossAwayTheCouldHavesAndShouldHavesDay to encourage people to participate.

  3. Set clear goals for the future

    Set realistic goals for your future. Take control of your life and make sure you never have to look back in regret again.

5 Interesting Facts About Regret

  1. Poor decision-making

    Regret can trigger a bias in your decision-making ability, leading to poor choices.

  2. Anxiety triggers

    Regret can cause anxiety as you constantly consider perceived better choices or behaviors.

  3. Melancholia

    Strong feelings of regret can cause feelings of dysphoria and sadness.

  4. Bowed head

    Erratic feelings of guilt and shame are common side effects of regret.

  5. Health dangers

    Regret can lead to chronic stress, which harms the hormonal and immune systems.

Why Toss Away the “Could Haves” and “Should Haves” Day is Important

  1. Living a stress-free life

    You will end up living a very complicated and stressful life if you regret every decision you make that leads to failure. Don't be afraid to display your vulnerable side, and don't be terrified of failing so much that it paralyzes you into inaction.

  2. Reinforcing a positive outlook

    Regret taints your perspective of the future. While you're sitting around feeling stupid it strengthens the belief that things will always be the same.

  3. Living a fulfilled life

    As regret frequently causes people to feel guilt over decisions or how they have spent their lives, it can greatly impede happiness. Avoiding it is the first step towards a fulfilled life.

Toss Away the “Could Haves” and “Should Haves” Day dates

Year Date Day
2022 July 16 Saturday
2023 July 22 Saturday
2024 July 20 Saturday
2025 July 19 Saturday
2026 July 18 Saturday