5 things we regret on our deathbed

Death is dark and scary, but it is also inevitable. All we can hope for is that we’ve had a good time and are at peace with ourselves, writes former nurse Bronie Ware in her book The Five Regrets of the Dying.

She worked in a palliative care unit. Most of the patients we discharged and sent home were going there to die, Ware says.

She spent the last 3-12 weeks of their lives with them and they shared their innermost thoughts with her. Ware now lives in Australia and is a personal life growth consultant in addition to being a writer.

“People grow a lot when they are faced with their own death. Some changes are phenomenal. Although everyone goes through different emotions – denial, fear, anger, remorse, acceptance, they all come to terms with themselves before they leave,” says the former nurse.

In her book, she describes the Top 5 things people regret when they are on their deathbed.

1. I wish I had the courage to live my life the way I want, not the way others expected

This is everyone’s most common regret. When people realize that their life is coming to an end and look back on it, they easily see how many unfulfilled dreams they have. Most people haven’t done even half of them, realizing it’s because of the choices they’ve made.

2. I wish I hadn’t worked so hard

This is what most dying male patients say. They have missed their youth, the opportunity to enjoy their children and the company of their partner. Women sometimes also regret working too much.

By simplifying your lifestyle and making conscious choices, you may find that you don’t need the income you think you need to live. If you had more free time, you would be happier and more open to new opportunities.

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

Many people suppress their feelings to keep peace with others. As a result, they settle for a mediocre existence and never fully develop their potential. Also, bitterness and resentment can be the cause of many diseases.

We cannot control the reactions of others. If we can still get over how they initially react to being honest with them, we can take the relationship to a whole new and healthier level.

4. I wish I had spent more time with my friends

Many people, dying, remember their old friends and regret not spending more time with them. Because of work or other commitments, they did not devote enough time to them and remember them even on their deathbed.

It’s not easy to maintain friendships with the busy lifestyles we lead. But when faced with impending death, the physical details of life fall away. Then people begin to hold on to things that are far from financial well-being and financial gains. They understand that the most important thing comes down to love and relationships.

5. I should have allowed myself to be happier

This is a surprising admission, as many people don’t realize until the very end that happiness is a choice. They are in the rut of established old patterns and habits and do not dare to leave their “comfort” to indulge in new emotions. The fear of change makes them pretend in front of themselves and others.

When you’re on your deathbed, it doesn’t matter at all what other people think of you. Life is a choice. This is your life. Choose consciously, choose wisely, choose honestly. Choose happiness.