Bronnie Ware

The Top Five Regrets of the Dying

1. IDEA 1

   The dying shared their regrets

   Ware worked for years caring for people in the final weeks of their lives. As they reflected on their lives, she noticed the same regrets came up again and again, and she wrote about five of them.

2. IDEA 2

   Many wished to live truthfully

   The most common regret was not having the courage to live a life true to oneself, rather than the life others expected. Many had not pursued their dreams. Ware says this was the regret she heard most often from people near the end of life.

3. IDEA 3

   Many wished they had worked less

   Ware found that many patients, especially men, regretted working so hard. They had missed time with family. Ware says these patients saw too late that time with the people they loved was what mattered most to them.

All 8 ideas from The Top Five Regrets of the Dying →