Life Tips 2025-06-26 18:04:04

Insights from hospice nurses: 24 regrets people have when they know d3ath is near

Matthew Kelly revealed what hospice nurses said to him

Have you ever wished you knew what you might regret later in life, so you could take action on them now?

We often hear about the regrets of those nearing the end of their lives, and many of these have been shared widely online to help guide us along our own journeys.

But what if I told you that there are many more regrets than you might expect?

Matthew Kelly, a motivational speaker and author, shed light on the common regrets people have when they are on their deathbeds. According to him, these twenty-four regrets could easily be avoided if addressed earlier in life.

In a brief video on YouTube, Kelly shared insights from hospice nurses about what patients often express as their biggest life regrets. While you might assume that a few key regrets would be universal, Kelly found that many more surfaced during these conversations.

Among the most frequent regrets were that people wished they had "had the courage to just be myself" or had "spent more time with the people I love" before reaching this point.

Others regretted not prioritizing spirituality or working too much, leaving little time for personal enjoyment. Some expressed sorrow over not discovering their life's purpose sooner, while others wished they had learned to express their emotions more openly.

Kelly explained that hospice nurses often heard patients say they wished they "hadn’t spent so much time worrying about things that never happened" or that they "had taken more risks" and "cared less about what others thought."

Many wished they had a different outlook on life, realizing earlier that happiness is a choice, or that they had loved more deeply, taken better care of themselves, or been a better spouse.

There were those who regretted not ignoring others' expectations, leaving jobs to pursue their passions, or staying in touch with old friends. Some expressed regret about not speaking up more instead of staying silent.

Others wished they had chased the right goals in life, had more children, or pondered life's big questions at a younger age.

There were also those who regretted not touching enough lives, not traveling more, or not living more in the present, or even not following more of their dreams.

Kelly emphasized that while some may find it morbid to think about death, he believes it’s actually healthy. He argued that contemplating death helps us put things into perspective and reminds us of what truly matters in life.

The takeaway message is: "The inevitability of death should inspire us to get busy living."

On a similar note, TikTok user Yair explored this topic by interviewing elderly individuals about their regrets. The answers were eye-opening and echoed many of the same sentiments shared by Kelly.

One 79-year-old woman reflected on her younger years and realized that while money makes life easier, it doesn’t guarantee happiness. A man shared a similar perspective, explaining that "material goods" and excess wealth are not as important as they once seemed.

He continued, saying, "When we’re young, we often strive for money and material possessions, thinking they’ll bring joy, but I’ve learned that’s not the essence of life."

Did you recognize any of these regrets as your own?

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