Top 5 Regrets of The Dying and 5 Tools To Live Happier

If you want to live happier, you should consider thinking about the regrets of the dying.

Ask yourself: How do you want to feel on your deathbed – looking back at your life?

Below are 5 common regrets of the dying – which will teach you a lot about the steps you need to take to live with greater happiness.

Money, fame, beauty and success.

They are huge motivators for so many people.

But guess what?

When you’re lying on your deathbed these things become a lot less important.

At least that’s what a range of terminally ill people told palliative care nurse Bronnie Ware.

The top 5 regrets of the dying were centered around…

• love
• self expression
• relationships

(Pssst…You can read these specific 5 regrets down below & get 5 tools to live more regret free and happier! But first – a little insight on the topic of death.)

When I read what these terminally ill patients shared about their regrets, I became intrigued.

Their views on happiness completely matched up with my favorite Greek philosopher Aristotle’s beliefs on true happiness.

Aristotle’s top philosophy on life:

True happiness has to do with “internal goods” (love, self-love, following your authentic passions, etc )- instead of those far too popular “external goods” (money, fame, beauty, success).

Plus, Aristotle believed that you should live life with “the ends in mind.”

Meaning?

• You should regularly be thinking about how you want to feel on your deathbed.
• You should regularly be making sure you are pursuing as many “internal goods” as possible. (love, self-love, following your authentic passions, etc)

It’s kind of ironic that the best way to add more happiness into your life …is to think about your death.

But if you want to make sure you live a regret-free life, then it’s essential you plan ahead.

It’s important that you regularly live each day keeping “the ends in mind” – and thinking about how you want to feel on your death bed.

Top 5 Regrets of The Dying (and tools to help you live regret-free).

After you’re done reading these 5 regrets of the dying, I recommend you journal about what comes up for you. Ask yourself what’s a brave change you want to make to live more truly to yourself.

Top Regret of The Dying 1:

• “I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.”

Remedy for a regret-free life:

What inspires you? What invigorates you?

Get clear on your true-to-you values – then create your goals from there.

Take some time to actually write up a list of what holds true meaning for you – so you become more fully aware of who you are at your core and what you value most.

Afterwards, use this list as your “GPS for authenticity” guide when making decisions.

Regularly, ask yourself: “How many steps closer to (or further from) my “authentic truth” will this decision take me?” Plus download one of these life is too short quotes and use it as mobile wallpaper.

Top Regret of The Dying 2:

• “I wish I didn’t work so hard.”

Remedy for a regret-free life:

Although a good work ethic can be rewarding in more ways than just financially, balance is key.Pro-actively schedule self-care time and social time into your calendar. If you are working so much that you don’t have time to enjoy life, then consider whether you might be able to live more economically.

Top Regret of The Dying 3:

• “I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings.”

Remedy for a regret-free life:

Confess don’t suppress! Keeping your self expression locked inside of you can create dis-ease and disharmony within.

Be sure to communicate with kindness and respect.

It’s okay if your voice shakes a little – your confidence will come!

Always remember you have just as much right as anyone else to be heard.

Top Regret of The Dying 4:

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

Remedy for a regret-free life:

It’s great and important to get together in person with loved ones when time and/or distance allow.

Unfortunately we live in a busy world, and are often time-challenged. Thankfully, technology has made it easier then ever to stay in touch when you can’t meet up in person.

Phonecalls, texts and emails can go a long way to bridging emotional gaps. So call, text or email a friend today!

Or consider gift-ing them my bestselling friendship book, “Friends Forever.”

Top Regret of The Dying 5:

• “I wish that I had let myself be happier.”

Remedy for a regret-free life: 

You are allowed to give yourself the gift of happiness. Don’t stay stuck in a rut of negativity and limited thinking.

Ask yourself:

• What is one thing (or more) that you are doing right now, simply because it’s expected from you by others – or yourself?
• And what is one brave step forward you can take today to start living life more true to who you are?

Learn to think more positively

Check out my book THINK HAPPY

Learn a range of research-based techniques to boost positivity.