I stopped asking myself which decision was 'right.' Now I ask which one I'll regret least.
Parul Somani, after experiencing a NICU baby and a breast cancer diagnosis at 31, shifted her decision-making framework. Instead of seeking the 'right' decision with guaranteed outcomes, she now focuses on making choices she will regret the least, acknowledging life's uncertainties.
Why it matters
This personal narrative offers a relatable perspective on coping with life's unpredictable challenges and provides a psychological framework for decision-making that prioritizes emotional resilience over perfect outcomes.
Parul Somani had a NICU baby and was diagnosed with cancer. Courtesy of Parul Somani Parul Somani had always approached major decisions by gathering data and finding answers. Somani discovered during cancer treatment that some choices have no guaranteed outcome. She developed a framework focused on making decisions she can stand behind afterward. This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Parul Somani , a working mother and the author of The Path of Least Regret. It has been edited for length and clarity. After giving birth to my second child in 2014, I was diagnosed with breast cancer . I was 31. That changed my life, including how I make decisions. I was always a high achiever I was raised in an immigrant family and saw the work ethic my parents demonstrated.
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