use these feelings of regret as brakes

[keannu]

What does this sentence mean? Especially "brakes". Does it mean "If you regret something, you stop going forward in your life"?

1)Many people use these feelings of regret as brakes (which) they set on their lives.

[Gillnetter]

What does this sentence mean? Especially "brakes". Does it mean "If you regret something, you stop going forward in your life"?

1)Many people use these feelings of regret as brakes (which) they set on their lives.

It is difficult to say without more context but you should know that brakes not only stop something, they also slow things down.