Top 5 Regrets People Often Have

Lessons from Bronnie Ware’s Bestseller “A Life Transformed by the Dearly Departing”

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What would you regret most if you were at the end of your life?

It’s a question most of us avoid, but it holds the key to living more fully. Bronnie Ware, a nurse who spent years caring for people in their final days, uncovered some powerful insights from those facing death.

In her book A Life Transformed by the Dearly Departing, she shares the most common regrets people have when reflecting on their lives.

These regrets offer valuable lessons for us.

Let’s look at the top five and how we can change the way we live today to avoid them.

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

This is the most common regret Ware encountered. Many people look back at their lives only to realise they lived according to others’ expectations, not their own dreams. They let societal pressures, family obligations, or fears hold them back from pursuing their true passions.

Takeaway: Don’t wait until it’s too late to live authentically.

Ask yourself regularly, “Am I living the life I want?” If not, it’s time to make changes, no matter how small.