The 9 Most Common Regrets People Have At The End Of Life

Many people expressed sorrow for not having been more understanding, caring, and present for the people who were important to them. They wished they had the courage to say "I love you" more often.

The people I worked with often regretted taking their families for granted. After all, once they got terminally ill, it was their families who stuck by them to hold their hand, provide love and companionship, and care for them around the clock.

Many had worked long, hard hours, and they regretted missing the important moments in their kids' lives. I remember one such person—a salesman whose boss expected him to travel three weeks each month when he had a young daughter at home. Although he was an excellent provider for her, he never got to know her well. As she became older, he tried to form a relationship with her, but it was too late to make up for lost time. He never fully forgave himself for choosing time at work over time with her.

Many felt that a fear of failure caused them to play it too safe. They knew that they could have had richer, more fulfilling lives had they taken some risks and disturbed the status quo.

Most people regretted the time they wasted worrying about things beyond their control. They didn't realize they were capable of choosing fun and happiness until it was too late.

Many people's lifelong dreams went unfulfilled because they were too concerned with trying to live up to someone else's expectations.

Most patients thought that if they'd eaten better, slept more, and paid more attention to their health and well-being, they might not have gotten sick. They wished they had made self-care more of a priority.

I heard countless wishes from people who dreamed of making a difference through kindness, compassion, and acts of service. Many patients made the decision—oftentimes right from their hospice beds—to donate their money to charities and service organizations so they could positively affect the lives of others after they were gone.

Many expressed that they had never enjoyed their job but had stuck with it year after year to pay the bills. They wished instead that they had chosen work that was in line with their purpose and passions—work that they were excited about and gave them a sense of fulfillment.