12 Things People Regret the Most Before They Die

As you all know, I just had a birthday. During the time both before and after one’s birthday comes around, you spend more time reflecting. Particularly, I find myself reflecting on the bigger things: what is the meaning of it all, have I achieved my goals, would I do things differently if I could go back and rewind time. This last thought led to the development of today’s post: 12 things People Regret the Most Before They Die.

I asked for the advice and viewpoints of my Instagram friends on this subject, and after my meetings for the day concluded in Strassbourg, I spent my nights reflecting on these viewpoints while strolling through the city. I have included pictures of during these ‘reflection periods’ of my last business trip to go along with the text that I created using the viewpoints you dear friends shared with me and weaving in my own thoughts. I would love to hear your viewpoints below leave me a comment.

Everyone has regrets, but what do people regret the most? Learn what they are and make sure not to allow them in your Life.

Life is full of choices, and many of them come with uncertainty. We can never know what might have been if we had chosen differently. No life will ever be completely clear of opportunity for regret. Failed relationships, missed opportunities, poor judgment calls. Some choices seem easy at the time and later turn out to have been poorly informed; others are difficult from the beginning. But some regrets are more fundamental, greater in scope. They tend not to focus on a single moment or area, but how life is lived.

Here are a dozen potential regrets and how to avoid falling into their grips.

1. I wish I had spent more time with the people I love.

It’s easy to let that time slip away, but once it’s gone you can never get it back.

I wish I had worried less.

Worry is just using your imagination to create the things you don’t want.

I wish I had forgiven more.

It takes a strong person to say “I’m sorry,” and an even stronger person to forgive. Forgive and let go–free yourself from grudges and enjoy happiness instead of wasting it.

I wish I had stood up for myself.

Never allow yourself to be bullied or silenced. No one is more important in this world than you are.

I wish I had lived my own life.

Spend your time now working on the things you want to accomplish–or even try. Build a business, cultivate a great career, build a family, run a marathon. The greatest success lies in living your life in your own way.

I wish I had been more honest.

If you don’t own up to your own elemental truth, falsehood will ultimately end up owning you. Honesty is the clearest path.

I wish I had worked less.

Working constantly for something you don’t passionately care about adds nothing but stress to your life. And even if the passion is there, keep your workload in balance with the rest of your life.

I wish I had cared less about what other people think.

Stop wasting your moments on other people’s opinions. Ultimately they are just opinions from those who don’t fully share your reality.

I wish I had lived up to my full potential.

Live up to your own aspirations, not down to others’ expectations. There is no passion to be found in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.