A few weeks ago I saw an infographic that depicts the top 10 regrets in life by those about to die, and I I knew that I just had to share it with you all.
It really provoked me to sit down and think about the priorities I’ve created in my own life and how important it is to spend your time on what truly matters to you.
I’ve included the infographic and a shortened summary below, I hope this inspires you to live well and remember that life is what you make of it!
(Original image and article source: http://addicted2success.com)
List of The Top 10 Regrets of The Dying:
- I never pursued my dreams and aspirations.
- I worked too much and never made time for my family.
- I should have made more time for my friends.
- I should have said ‘I love you’ a lot more.
- I should have spoken my mind more instead of holding back and resenting things.
- I should have been the bigger person and resolved my conflicts.
- I wish I had children.
- I should have saved more money for my retirement.
- Not having the courage to live truthfully.
- Happiness is always a choice, I wish I knew that a lot earlier.
Do you struggle with any of these or worry they might become a regret for you later in life?
XO Christina
I really enjoyed this post Christina, yes I think in the business of everyday life it is so easy NOT to be thinking about how it is going to be when we grow older.
I worry about at least a few things from your list. (just gave myself shivers).
– I should have saved more money for my retirement (working on it)
– I should have made more time for my friends (trying to work on it)
– I wish I had children (I think I am working on it?)
Absolutely Mariana! Thank you for sharing your worries!
Great infographic. I struggle with several of these, especially that “happiness is always a choice.” It is so true that in any situation you can choose to see the positive or the negative. That simple choice can transform a situation, and it is completely within your control.
So true Ali! But it is very easy to forget at times.
Wow. I LOVE this, Christina, thank you so much for sharing it. The one that surprised me the most was “I wish I had children.” To me it’s moving and heartbreaking in a completely different way from the others.
Thank you Daisy! I felt so inspired by it, I knew others would be too! That worry really resonates with me too.
Great post, Christina! This has been on my mind a lot lately since my grandfather passed away.
I worry about finding balance between work and family.
I worry about not taking chances.
I worry about living my life to please others and not being true to myself.
Thank you for sharing some of the worries you are dealing with as well! I feel like anytime I lose someone close to me, it always causes me to reevaluate my priorities and make sure I’m living a life I would be proud of at the end.
Once again I love reading your stuff! 🙂
I most definitely have worries about things that could become regrets one day.
– I worry about not taking more chances, like leaving a full time job to pursue my dreams of being a blogger, cake baker and future mom.
– I’m making time for my friends again, more then I have been while trying to establish our newly wed-ness household 🙂
-Speaking my mind. I have a hard time expressing myself without becoming emotional, it might not be a negative thing, but I get so passionate about stuff and bottling it up always seems to result in a tears overflow at some point out of frustration. So I need to be better at just standing up and saying what’s on my mind, this is mainly hard at my full time job.
-While I wouldn’t say saving for retirement is a worry, because we are excellent savers, I would still someday soon like to make it more of a priority then what we currently put into retirement 🙂
Great article to make us think! 🙂
Thanks so much for sharing Rebecca! I also struggle with being super emotional. I can never get into an argument, confront someone, or even express myself in general without crying. I am a very passionate person too!!
I loved this post. I’ve been doing a lot of thinking of how I will look back on my life when I’m in my 70’s+. What I most need to work on, is realizing that happiness is a choice. I can be happy if I want to, instead of feeling mopey about things that are out of my hands.
So true Alexis!! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
I could also identify with some of these things. For me I think my biggest regrets could wind up being,
– Not having lived more of my dreams. Being a stay at home mom is number one on my list and I am that. However, there are a few more things I still want to do and putting myself out there is difficult for an introvert like me. :o)
– Saving more for retirement is certainly one that I can see as a regret. But then when your dying does it really matter? I think that may be one that I have as I get older. Although we are working on it more now.
– Not being adventurous enough. I’m a homebody by nature and love spending time with family around the house. I do wonder if I will regret now getting out and seeing more of the world.
Great post as always!
Thank you for sharing Tennille! I am such a homebody too but have found that if I force myself out of the house a bit more, I tend to really enjoy it and create great memories by doing so. It’s amazing what can come from busting out of my comfort zone!
I’ve always heard that people don’t end up regretting what they’ve done in life, but what they didn’t do. Ah, the courage to break out of one’s comfort zone and go for it. I love that you posted this, Christina. It’s a great wake-up call.
So much truth in that Kay! Easier said than done, but always so worth it to do something that scares you! Thanks so much 🙂
Hi, first time here. I saw the title of your post from another blog and got curious. The list is pretty consistent with other lists on the same topic that I’ve seen. This is actually the first time I saw “I wish I had children” which is kind of surprising in itself.
Hi Nelson, so glad you found me! 🙂 That regret surprised me as well, but has me hugging my own baby a little bit closer after reading it!
Great graphic, thanks for sharing. The second entry – I worked too much and never made time for my family – brings to mind something I often repeat, “On their deathbed, no one ever says,’I wish I had one more day to sit in my cubicle.'”
This is a great post, Christina! I sometimes think a lot about avoiding regrets later in life, so this article was very thought-provoking. The ‘happiness is a choice’ item particularly caught my eye. Loved this list!
Thank Jennifer!
What a great info graphic! I definitely need to say “I love you” more. And not just say it, show it.
I know, it was just too good not to share!
My biggest fear would be working way too much and failing to slow down and enjoy life each day at a time instead of shooting for some larger future goal of the time. Living until retirement age is never promised for anyone and it would be sad to have any of these feelings or regrets as you age.
Great point Chonce! That’s part of the biggest reason that motivated me to want to work for myself, I just couldn’t envision being miserable at my 9-5 until I (hopefully) retired. I know that’s not the case for everyone and many people love their office jobs, but I would have definitely had regret if I didn’t eventually quit and start my own gig. This infographic brought all those feelings back for me!
I worry that too many people think their kids are people to love them and take care of them in their old age. Lots of things can happen between childhood and adulthood. I just feel like too many people expect their kids to be there for them. Maybe that’s an outsider’s perspective. Especially from someone who had to cut her father out of her life.
Otherwise, most of these regrets seem like pretty easy traps to fall into. My husband and I tell each other “I love you” multiple times a day. It makes sure the other feels appreciated. And, should the worst happen, we won’t have regret or worry whether we told each other enough.
Very true Abby! Nothing is ever guaranteed in life, it’s important to seize today because tomorrow is definitely not promised!
Great post, Christina! The thing I worry most about, from your list, is not pursuing my dreams. I always put off doing what I’ve always wanted to do because of obligations and other more important goals. I tend to tell myself that my dream can wait but I’m starting to realise I’ve put it off long enough and it’s about time I do something about it. Other stuff I worry about are:
– Not saying sorry enough – sometimes I get too proud to admit my mistakes or sometimes I fail to realise that I hurt other people. I don’t want to die being resented by other people, especially by those I love.
– Not forgiving enough – I feel that I have to work hard on this but I’m really trying.
Thanks for sharing this, Christina. Your posts are always inspirational and thought-provoking. I always enjoy reading them. 🙂
Thanks so much J! You make a great point, it can be SO easy to push off our dreams when we have so many other responsibilities that we tend to prioritize over that. I’ve been much more adamant about following my dreams and trying to not let the craziness of everyday life get in the ways of accomplishing my goals, and I feel much happier and more purposeful as a result. Make that time for yourself, I promise you won’t regret it! 🙂