Rebel Talk: Bad Decisions

This past Saturday, a friend’s dad was in town with his band, and we went out to see him. I thought I was younger than I am—invincible, even—and I indulged a little too much. You know how it goes: one drink turns into two, and before you know it, you’re fully committed to the night. The fun was real, the vibe was electric, but the next day? Completely shot. I woke up groggy, regret sitting heavier than the hangover, realizing that the entire day’s productivity had slipped away before it even started.

We’ve all been there, haven’t we? Sometimes, in the grind of everyday life, you find yourself overwhelmed, craving an escape. Maybe it’s stress from work, personal life, or just the weight of trying to keep it all together. That night out feels like the perfect release—just one night to forget about all the pressures. And for a few hours, it seems to work. But the thing about indulgence is that it never fixes anything. If anything, it leaves you worse off, dragging you into a cycle of guilt and lost time.

But here’s the thing: It’s okay. We all stumble. We all make bad decisions. The key is not letting a single misstep define the days that follow.

It’s easy to beat yourself up for letting your guard down. It’s easy to think, “Man, I should’ve known better.” And yeah, maybe you should have. But guess what? You’re human. We all slip. What’s more important than avoiding every mistake is what you do after you’ve made one. Do you wallow in it, letting it ruin more than just a day? Or do you pick yourself up, acknowledge that you slipped, and get back on track?

Because, let’s face it, life is relentless. There will be more moments where you’re tempted to lose focus, to indulge, to let go. The critical part is not getting caught in the illusion that a temporary escape will solve permanent problems. It’s about recognizing that the true fix comes from showing up the next day with renewed focus, ready to keep moving forward.

It’s in these moments of self-reflection that we grow. Bad decisions can either be dead ends or turning points. And the beautiful part is, you get to choose. So, yeah, I lost a day this time. But I’m choosing to learn from it. I’m choosing to make sure the next time I feel overwhelmed, I find a healthier release. I’m choosing to get back to my grind with even more determination.

We all let our guard down from time to time, but it’s never the end of the story. What matters most is what you do next. Mistakes are just a chapter, not the whole book.

So if you’ve slipped up recently—whether it’s indulging too much, procrastinating, or anything else that’s pulled you off course—remember, it’s okay. Don’t waste energy on regret. Channel that energy into your next move. Get back up, get back in the game, and keep pushing forward. After all, that’s the Relentless Rebel way. You don’t let one stumble stop you from reaching your destination. You learn, you grow, and you keep climbing. Every. Single. Time.

I "took one for the team" and learned my lesson for all of you. That's at least what I'm telling myself.

Stay on track, stay focused, and if you slip up like I did, chalk it up as a mistake and keep on moving!

Stay Relentless,

Ryan