The 20 Biggest Regrets People Have When They Die

Dying is a pretty morbid thought, but unfortunately one of my best friends through my childhood died recently - and was the same age as me.

Pretty scary stuff and short sudden illness.

So what do people regret when they die?

Lifehack provides this list of the 20 biggest regrets:

1. Caring too much about what other people think

It’s only when you realise how little other people are really thinking of you (in a negative sense) that you realise how much time you spent caring and wasting energy worrying about this.

2. Not accomplishing enough

3. Not telling someone how you truly felt 

4. Not standing up for yourself more

Sometimes, it’s too easy to think that if you go all out to please everyone you’ll be liked more or your partner won’t run off with anyone else. Age probably teaches us to be nice but not at the expense of our own happiness.

5. Not following your passion in life

6. Arguing with your loved ones all the time

Life is short, and you never really know when the last time you speak to someone you love will be.

It’s these moments that really stay clear in peoples’ minds.

7. Not growing the children to be who they wanted to be  

8. Not living more in the moment enough 

Watching children grow up makes you realise how short-lived and precious time really is, and as we age, many of us live less and less in the present.

9. Working too much

10. Traveling too little

11. Listening to everyone else

Making your own decisions and feeling confident in the decisions you make gives us fulfilment and joy from life. Going against your gut only breeds resentment and bitterness.

12. Not taking good care of yourself

13. Not willing to take risks

Everyone has their own idea of what’s risky, but you know when you’re living too much in your comfort zone. In hindsight, some people feel they missed out on a lot of adventure life has to offer.

14. Having little time

Many people say time speeds up as we age.

15. Worrying too much

16. Not appreciating enough

17. Spending little time with family 

18. Taking yourself too seriously

19. Not doing enough for other people

The six weeks of summer holidays we had as kids certainly seemed to last a lifetime.

If time speeds up, then it’s even more important to make the most of every moment.

Doing things for others just makes life more meaningful.

20. Feeling sad all the time

The realisation that happiness is a state of mind that you can control sometimes doesn’t occur to people until it’s too late.

Read more at Lifehack

About Michael Yardney Michael is a director of Metropole Property Strategists who help their clients grow, protect and pass on their wealth through independent, unbiased property advice and advocacy. He's once again been voted Australia's leading property investment adviser and one of Australia's 50 most influential Thought Leaders. His opinions are regularly featured in the media.