The best way to live life is a source of constant debate. When to save money, when to spend money, balancing fun and work. It can seem like regret will inevitably be everywhere, increasing the anxiety of living and choosing.

In the book The Top Five Regrets of the Dying, author Bronnie Ware, previously a palliative nurse for the elderly, discusses some of the greatest regrets voiced by her patients over the years.

These regrets are honest, frank truths shared by those with a broad view of their life and their work.

Regret #1: I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.

“This was the most common regret of all. When people realise that their life is almost over and look back clearly on it, it is easy to see how many dreams have gone unfulfilled. Most people had not honoured even a half of their dreams and had to die knowing that it was due to choices they had made, or not made. Health brings a freedom very few realise, until they no longer have it.”

Regret #2: I wish I hadn’t worked so hard.

“This came from every male patient that I nursed. They missed their children’s youth and their partner’s companionship. Women also spoke of this regret, but as most were from an older generation, many of the female patients had not been breadwinners. All of the men I nursed deeply regretted spending so much of their lives on the treadmill of a work existence.”

Regret #3: I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings.

“Many people suppressed their feelings in order to keep peace with others. As a result, they settled for a mediocre existence and never became who they were truly capable of becoming. Many developed illnesses relating to the bitterness and resentment they carried as a result.”

Regret #4: I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.

“Often they would not truly realise the full benefits of old friends until their dying weeks and it was not always possible to track them down. Many had become so caught up in their own lives that they had let golden friendships slip by over the years. There were many deep regrets about not giving friendships the time and effort that they deserved. Everyone misses their friends when they are dying.”

Regret #5: I wish that I had let myself be happier.

“This is a surprisingly common one. Many did not realise until the end that happiness is a choice. They had stayed stuck in old patterns and habits. The so-called ‘comfort’ of familiarity overflowed into their emotions, as well as their physical lives. Fear of change had them pretending to others, and to their selves, that they were content, when deep within, they longed to laugh properly and have silliness in their life again.”

It is impossible to move through life without making a few mistakes. However, these mistakes don’t need to lead to regret or distress at the end of your time. Simply being aware of the most common regrets can go a long way toward minimizing their effects.

This is your life. Live it in a way that is brings you joy and fulfillment.

The original article can be found here on Bronnie’s website. Her book, The Top Five Regrets of the Dying (which was a fabulous read and one that I highly recommend), can be found here on Amazon.

If you enjoyed this post, leave a comment and check out some of my other work! I recently wrote a post on learning to overcome the fear that can lead to some of these regrets, you can find it here.

original content found here