The Five Most Common Deathbed Regrets

Ever wondered what you’ll look back on and regret?

Author, blogger, musician and nurse Bronnie Ware counseled the dying in their final days.

Here’s what she discovered were the most common deathbed regrets.

1. Wishing you had the courage to live life true to yourself, not the life others expected

This was the most common regret.

‘When people realize that their life is almost over and look back clearly on it, it is easy to see how many dreams have gone unfulfilled’.

2. Wishing you hadn’t worked so hard.

Every man she nurses expressed this regret, saying they missed their children’s youth and their partner’s companionship.

3. Wishing you had the courage to express your 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'.

4. Wishing you stayed in touch with friends.

Many people don’t realize just how much they miss and value their friends until their final weeks.

5. Wishing you’d let yourself be happier.

‘Many did not realize until the end that happiness is a choice.

‘They had stayed stuck in old patterns and habits.’

‘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.’