Hospice Nurse Reveals People’s Top 5 Regrets Before Death
In our daily lives, we often take things for granted and don’t prioritize them until it’s too late. Regretting about the mistakes we’ve made or the things we didn’t have the courage to do is a normal part of human nature. Sometimes life gives us a second chance to make things right, but sometimes we have to live with those regrets and regret the missed opportunities.
Bronnie Ware, a nurse who has spent much of her life working in end-of-life care, has watched countless patients die before her eyes, and reveals the “Top Five Regrets“ of people who know they are saying goodbye for the last time. In her book, The Top Five Regrets of the Dying: A Life Transformed by the Dearly Departing, she writes:
“My patients are those who have gone home to wait for the end of their lives. I spend time with them from the last three to twelve weeks of their lives. Over the years of my career, I have experienced a very special time.”
- ” I want to have the courage to live my own life, not according to others’ expectations.”
Towards the end of their lives, many people reflect on the things they did not do and regret not living the life they wanted because they were afraid of what others would say or expect.
“Most people fail to achieve even half of their dreams and die with regrets about their choices,” Ware said.
- ” I’m sorry for working too hard.”
Working hard and busy schedules cause many people to neglect time with family and friends. They miss out on important life events because they focus too much on money and career success.
- ” I want to have the courage to express my feelings.”
Speaking directly about your feelings is something that many people dare not do for fear of making others uncomfortable. But in the end, the feelings they keep inside end up causing them suffering. Some people even feel regret for not expressing their love or telling the important people in their lives how much they mean to them.
- ” I want to contact my friends more.”
As time goes by, life’s priorities change, but friendships are one thing that should never be neglected. Many people regret not prioritizing their friends and missing out on opportunities to spend quality time with people who once meant something to them.
- ” I want to be happier.”
Many people don’t understand that happiness is a choice. They are so afraid of change that they pretend to be content with a life that is not theirs.
“Fear makes them fool themselves into thinking they’re content, when deep down they really want to laugh and feel happy,” Ware says.
Important Lesson : In the end, we often regret the opportunities we didn’t take. Don’t let fear get in the way of living life to the fullest so that you don’t have to regret it too late.
Share this article to remind your loved ones that life is short and we should live it to the fullest!