Chapter 5 explores counterfactual thinking: imagining alternatives from actual, real events. Participants recalled facing difficult decisions and dilemmas between one option and another. Nothing had occurred because they had chosen against or said ‘no’ to something, but what if they had instead answered ‘yes’? Considering the ‘road not taken’, they conjured up visions of their unlived lives and unmade selves. Emotions of regretregret or reliefrelief arose, as the alternative appeared better or worse. Some people wished that things had turned out differently, while others felt glad to have escaped.