Reflections on Regret: What makes a life worth living?
Imagine today’s your last day on earth. Would you have any regrets?
In palliative carer Bronnie Ware’s book, “Regrets of the Dying,” she explains that the top 5 regrets of the dying are:
- I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.
- I wish I hadn’t worked so hard.
- I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings.
- I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.
- I wish I had let myself be happier.
Amid the hurriedness and seemingly endless pursuit of more: more stuff, more money, more accolades. Amid the push and pull of countless responsibilities. Amid the suffocating pressure that no matter how hard you try to optimize, there’s never enough time in the day.
We wonder-what is the purpose of life? By looking at the top regrets of the dying, we can infer that a life well lived is one that defines success as more than numbers and to-do lists.
It’s a life of meaningful connection. Happiness, courage, balance.
As you read this, you’re likely wrestling with a sense of regret. Overwhelmed by how to prioritize when everything feels important. What even is happiness? Who even am I?
But the good news is: every moment is a fresh start. It’s tempting to resign to “it’s too late, what’s the point?” But if you don’t begin with that first tiny step, you’ll miss out on the chance to explore an uncharted journey.
At Cherish, we’re here to empower you to take those tiny steps, even when they seem futile or impossible. Through balancing evidence-backed science & reality-tested encouragement, we hope to provide you with practictical action plans, while also sharing stories of inspiration to keep you hopeful throughout your wellness journey.
Cheers to an unregrettable life!