The Top Five Regrets of the Dying: Lessons to Live a Better Life

1. "I wish I had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me."

Many people regret not following their own dreams because they were too focused on pleasing others. They lived the life others wanted for them, whether it was in their careers, relationships, or personal choices. At the end of their lives, they realized that they had never been true to themselves.

Lesson: Live your life for you.

Follow your own dreams and passions. Don’t let the expectations of others stop you from living the life you truly want. It's important to be honest with yourself and pursue what makes you happy, even if it means making hard choices. In the end, it's your life, and you should live it in a way that feels true to you.

2. "I wish I hadn’t worked so hard."

Many of the people Bronnie cared for regretted spending too much time working. They missed out on family time, personal relaxation, and enjoying the little moments of life. They realized too late that work wasn’t everything, and that it cost them precious time with their loved ones.

Lesson: Find balance between work and life.

Working hard is important, but it’s equally important to make time for the people you love and for yourself. Make sure you’re not sacrificing your happiness for your job. Take breaks, enjoy hobbies, and spend quality time with your family and friends. Life is about more than just work.

3. "I wish I had the courage to express my feelings."

Many people regret holding back their emotions, whether it was not telling someone they loved them or not standing up for themselves. They kept quiet because they didn’t want to upset others, but in doing so, they missed the chance to connect deeply with the people around them.

Lesson: Speak up and share your feelings.

Don’t be afraid to tell people how you feel. Whether it’s expressing love, gratitude, or even hurt, sharing your feelings can strengthen your relationships and help you feel more at peace. Holding everything inside leads to regret, but speaking your truth brings closeness and understanding.

4. "I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends."

For many, friendships faded as life got busy. Work, family, and everyday life made it easy to lose contact with old friends. But as people got older, they realized that their friendships were an important part of their happiness, and they regretted letting those relationships slip away.

Lesson: Value your friendships.

Even when life gets busy, make time for the people who matter. Friendships bring joy, laughter, and support, and they can make life richer and more meaningful. Reach out to those you care about and keep those connections alive.

5. "I wish I had let myself be happier."

One of the most surprising regrets people had was that they didn’t let themselves be happier. They realized that happiness was a choice, but they often stayed stuck in their habits, routines, and worries. They were afraid of change and didn’t allow themselves to truly enjoy life.

Lesson: Choose happiness.

Happiness isn’t something that happens to us — it’s a choice we make every day. Don’t wait for everything to be perfect to be happy. Enjoy the little things, laugh more, and don’t take life too seriously. Give yourself permission to be happy now, because life is too short to wait.

Conclusion: Live Without Regret

The lessons from The Top Five Regrets of the Dying remind us to focus on what truly matters in life. It’s easy to get caught up in work, expectations, and worries, but at the end of the day, the most important things are being true to yourself, spending time with loved ones, expressing your feelings, and choosing happiness.

Let’s take these lessons to heart and live in a way that brings joy, fulfillment, and love, so that when the time comes, we can look back without regrets.

Reference

Ware, B. (2012). The Top Five Regrets of the Dying: A Life Transformed by the Dearly Departing. Hay House.