The story we tell ourselves about “the one that got away” conveniently omits the struggles and hardships, the flaws, and the imperfections. That is, when we imagine the one that got away, it’s rooted more in fantasy than reality.

Whether it’s a big client, or a job, or a career, or a partner, or a property, or an opportunity ... the one that got away is often perfect in our minds. We only consider the good that was not ours to hold.

But that also means it’s not worthwhile lamenting the loss. What we’d be mourning is something that never really existed in the way we think.