No Regrets
Plenty of people worry about their own mortality, especially in the twilight years of their life. In fact, many people share the same regrets, and these are lessons we can use in our own lives. With that in mind, here are some common qualms seniors find themselves dealing with.
1. Working Too Much
Starting off nice and easy, plenty of people can relate to the reality of working too much. We spend a good chunk of our lives striving for promotions and perks, putting in extra hours and making family sacrifices in order to appease our bosses and cater to ambition. But when you’re in your final hours, you won’t be thinking about how much you accomplished in your career, you’ll be thinking about all the moments you missed because of it.
2. Taking More Risks
During life, some risks simply don’t seem worth the hassle. However, it’s these missed opportunities that will have you thinking “what if” when you’re no longer capable. So next time you have a chance, apply for that job, go to school for that program, start that business, or ask that person out.
3. Living For Myself
This is a very common trope, but many people end up giving up a part of themselves or changing their life to suit others. For instance, perhaps you enter into an arranged marriage to appease your parents. Or perhaps you stay in a city you hate to please your partner. You’ll hate these choices later on, especially when those people are gone and you only have yourself to live with.
4. Having More Courage
In the same sense, many people wish they had the courage to chase their passions rather than live a mediocre life. For instance, perhaps you stay in a relationship that’s gone stale simply because it’s easier than trying to find someone new.
5. Expressing Your True Feelings
In order to make everyone happy, it’s all too easy to tell little white lies. But in your last moments, you might find yourself haunted by all the people you didn’t stand up for. For all the feelings of love and anger that you left unsaid when they really needed to be heard.
6. More Time With Loved Ones
Everyone craves more time with the people they loved, and not only that, but you’ll find yourself regretting the people you fell out of touch with. Friendships drift and family bonds are never as tight as we think, and it’s these faded relationships that might keep you up.
7. Caring Less
On the flip side, you might have cared too much about people that didn’t deserve it, or perhaps you were too concerned with societal expectations. Lots of people wish they’d care less about what others thought of their lives and did things that truly made them happy.
8. Cherished The Little Moments
Some people try too hard to fill their life with big moments. From going out every night to planning extravagant vacations to finding Instagrammable moments every day. But near the end, you’ll find yourself wishing you spent more time enjoying those little moments of happiness, and those will be the ones you think of.
9. Never Reconciling
Relationships fray all too easily, and it’s common nowadays to have falling outs with your parents, siblings, friends, partners, and more. You’ll find yourself dreading the fact that you never made it up to that person, that you never rekindled that love.
10. Trying More Things
Finally, most people are given a set amount of years to try everything the world has to offer, and all of us fall short. Despite that, many people wish they had tried more things. That they had learned more skills or languages, engaged in more hobbies, and took risks without caring about embarrassment.
Now that we have talked about the most common regrets people have late in their lives, here are 10 ways to avoid them.
1. Be Bold
First and foremost, lots of people end up living the lives they don’t want because they’re too scared to stand up for what they want. Ideally, you want to choose bravery, and you want to be bold and daring to try new things, even if it means failing sometimes.
2. Speak Your Mind
Along with this boldness comes the ability to speak your truth. Tell people you love that you love them. Send letters to those you’ve hurt. And never leave anything unsaid.
3. Live For You
Some might consider it selfish, but your life is your own personal experience. More so, you might only ever get one, so you really need to make it worth it for you and no one else.
4. Don’t Fear Discomfort
Lots of us go on with a mundane or lackluster life because we’re too scared of change. After all, change can be uncomfortable. But the reality is you’ll never achieve an incredible life if you don’t get uncomfortable.
5. Check In With Yourself
Speaking of an incredible life, that varies from person to person. So be sure to ask yourself what your perfect life looks like, and every now and then, do a little mental check-in. Essentially, take a moment to think about if your recent decisions are leading you to the life you want.
6. Invest in Relationships
Our relationships with our fellow humans are some of the deepest and most fulfilling connections we will ever have. These relationships are what you’ll be thinking about in those final moments, which is why it’s crucial to put all of your heart and love into them.
Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦 on Unsplash
7. Document The Small Moments
It’s easy to take pictures of a grandiose vacation or a fancy outing, but also take time to reflect on your small moments. Take a photo of your humble breakfast bowl. Journal about your daily activities from what new TV show you’ve been watching to the next hobby you want to try.
8. Be Mindful
Mindfulness is greatly beneficial in many ways. This could involve meditation or journaling, but can also mean doing the work to strengthen your soul. If you’re haunted by old wounds, be bold and pursue therapy. If you’re feeling lonely, be brave and seek out new friendships.
9. Vision Board
It’s easier to achieve the life you want when you have a clear picture of it. Even if you fall short in many avenues, taking the time to make a little board with pictures of dream vacations, perfect houses, and happy relationships can help you see what you’re striving for.
10. Be Present
Finally, no matter how your life pans out, it is important to be present for every single moment. Every second of it is precious, so be sure that each second matters to you and is propelling you towards your best self.
