Biggest regrets on death bed

I remember when I first came across this article, I felt it perfectly summed up every serious regret people have in life.
We only get so many spins around the sun, and for many death is a surprise.
When trying to figure out what is important in your life RIGHT NOW, go over this list and see if it helps puts things into perspective. I know it did for me.

The 5 biggest regrets people have who are facing death

  • 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 realize 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 honored even a half of their dreams and had to die knowing that it was due to choices they had made, or not made.
It is very important to try and honor at least some of your dreams along the way. From the moment that you lose your health, it is too late. Health brings a freedom very few realize, until they no longer have it.

  • I wish I didn’t work 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.
By simplifying your lifestyle and making conscious choices along the way, it is possible to not need the income that you think you do. And by creating more space in your life, you become happier and more open to new opportunities, ones more suited to your new lifestyle.

  • 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.
We cannot control the reactions of others. However, although people may initially react when you change the way you are by speaking honestly, in the end it raises the relationship to a whole new and healthier level. Either that or it releases the unhealthy relationship from your life. Either way, you win.

  • I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.

Often they would not truly realize 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.
It is common for anyone in a busy lifestyle to let friendships slip. But when you are faced with your approaching death, the physical details of life fall away. People do want to get their financial affairs in order if possible. But it is not money or status that holds the true importance for them. They want to get things in order more for the benefit of those they love. Usually though, they are too ill and weary to ever manage this task. It is all comes down to love and relationships in the end. That is all that remains in the final weeks, love and relationships.

  • I wish that I had let myself be happier.

This is a surprisingly common one. Many did not realize 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.
When you are on your deathbed, what others think of you is a long way from your mind. How wonderful to be able to let go and smile again, long before you are dying.
-linked from Lifehacker

12 thoughts on “Biggest regrets on death bed

  1. The gold was at the end for me:
    ‘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.’
    Be true to yourself
    Peace

  2. Nice post buddy. Definitely agree with most of these things. Was a little thrown off when I started reading on your blog and it said “I nursed”. Then realized at the bottom that you linked from lifehacker.
    This theme’s looking really sick too. Your site is pro.

  3. Epic dude :
    Once again you do it bravo. simply LOVE your website.
    Honestly I have become and addict

    Glad you dig it brother!
    The site is running because of you guys. So THANK YOU

  4. AT-LOW :
    inspirationandchai.com is a funny way to spell lifehacker, lol.
    Still, very informative.

    Lifehacker linked to it and only quoted a little. I wanted to give credit and a link to the true source.

  5. Bravo :
    I think many guys would also add, passing up so many opportunities for dates!

    Yes, that as well as opportunities to simply meet awesome people and have them in our lives. In this way the courage theme for me, relates to pushing outside my comfort zone to be social and interested.
    This is all stuff that every one of us can benefit from asking ourselves about on a regular basis. Thanks Bravo, for calling stuff exactly how you see it.

  6. My father died when I was 11 years old. I had a medical issue when I was a teenager that I overcame. Both of these things showed me how fragile life is and how we should appreciate every day. Yet it still took years and bad relationships to leave behind my AFC self and become the man I wanted to be. Today really could be our last. While we should plan for the future, we should live like there isn’t one. Life is valuable. Live it to the fullest. Thank you Bravo for helping us all to do just that.

  7. Wow! That’s deep.
    Before I started this lifestyle and jumped into this forum, I would’ve been saying the same thing in my deathbed.
    Now, I will say “Fuck!!! I lived an awesome life and met some amazing motherfuckers!”
    Thanks again Bravo!

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