Modern life pushes us to constantly perform at our best, often leaving little time for reflection or appreciation of everyday moments. We rarely pause to evaluate our lives—until we’re faced with the end of them.

Bronnie Ware, a palliative care nurse, spent years caring for patients in their final weeks. She documented the most common regrets of the dying in her book, The Top Five Regrets of the Dying: A Life Transformed by the Dearly Departing.

Here are the five regrets she heard most often:

1. “I wish I had lived a life true to myself, not what others expected of me.”
Many realized too late that they had let dreams go unfulfilled due to choices made to please others.

2. “I wish I hadn’t worked so hard.”
This was especially common among men, who regretted missing family time and personal milestones while chasing careers.

3. “I wish I had expressed my feelings.”
Fear of conflict led many to suppress emotions, resulting in resentment and lost opportunities for deeper connections.

4. “I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.”
As death approached, many longed for meaningful friendships they had let fade over the years.

5. “I wish I had let myself be happier.”
Many realized happiness is a choice, and fear had kept them from fully embracing life.

Ware’s insights remind us to live intentionally—pursuing dreams, nurturing relationships, and choosing happiness before it’s too late.