The top five regrets of the dying

The top five regrets of the dying. After many years working in palliative care for people in their last weeks of life, Bonnie Ware noticed five regrets all her patients seemed to repeat over and over… ~

1. Live True to Yourself, Not Others
Choose the path that feels right for you—even if people don’t understand.

Most regret comes from living by expectations instead of your own values.

2. Don’t Delay Joy
Make time for hobbies, fun, laughter, exploration, and things that make you feel alive.

Life speeds up when every day looks the same—joy slows it down and makes it meaningful.

3. Speak From Your Heart with Complete Honesty
Say what needs to be said: love, truth, boundaries, apologies, gratitude.

Honesty deepens relationships and prevents regret caused by silence.

4. Stay Close to the People Who Matter
Prioritize friendships, family, and the relationships that give life warmth.

Connection is the strongest predictor of happiness—yet the easiest to neglect.

5. Work Less, Live More
Protect your time from endless busyness and career overdrive.

No one regrets not spending more hours at work—only missing the life that happened outside of it.

The Real Lesson
In the final moments, people regret the things they didn’t do: speaking up, being themselves, choosing joy, nurturing relationships, and living fully. The time to change that is now.