More than likely you don’t actually regret anything you have done, achieved or experienced in your life, we rarely do. It is much more common to look back and wish we had done more, we tend to regret the things we didn’t do.
“I don’t regret the things I’ve done, I regret the things I didn’t do when I had the chance.” -unknown
Here I have listed several of the most common things that people regret at the end of their lives and wish they had done differently. This list is far from extensive. However, hopefully we can all find a little inspiration here to change the way we are currently living so that at the end of our time we look back and know we did all we could to live life in the most incredible way imagineable.
NO REGRETS: TIME SPENT AT WORK RATHER THAN ON RELATIONSHIPS
One of the most common responses people give when asked what they regret, is based on where they have prioritised their time. We all have to work and a lot of people are in the position where they are the provider so there is additional pressure. The question is, what are you doing it for? At the end of our lives, our career wont be attending the funeral, our family and friends will. What will they say about you? That you worked hard and had a successful career? Or that you were the most incredibly caring friend, parent, sibling?
There are times when work is important, but if spending quality time with friends and family is something you think you will wish you did differently, now is the time. We all have the same amount of time, we are only too busy if the relationship is not the priority. Make it the priority, work will be there tomorrow, get off your phone, your emails and facebook newsfeed will look pretty similar tomorrow. Be present with your family and friends.
NO REGRETS: WORRY ABOUT WHAT OTHERS THINK
How many times have you not said or done something because you are concerned people will judge you for it? We keep our opinions, thoughts and emotions to ourselves because we are fearful we will not fit in and we will be ridiculed.
Newsflash, I can guarantee you that almost everyone is so busy thinking this exact same thing that whatever it is you are worrying about will go unnoticced by them, and when unnoticed, it is not judged. Most people spend all their time consumed in thoughts about themselves so STOP worrying you will do or say something silly, you may actually inspire someone else to speak their mind too.
One of my favourite things I have begun doing is when I worry I sound silly or uneduacted about a topic, I ask those around me to educate me. That way, I don’t go my whole life not knowing something and also I discover that I am not the ony one who doesn’t know what something is!
We all worry so much, and it really is useless. If your worrying about something you can change, then change it. If you can’t change it then stop worrying, there’s no point.
NO REGRETS: BE HAPPY, JUST BECAUSE
We all take life SO seriously. Work is serious, politics is serious, current affairs are serious. At what point do we just stop and say, I am going to be happy because if I am not going to enjoy this moment, or today, life will pass me by and I will spend the entirety of it covered in a serious blanket.
Become aware and take notice of your surroundings and how incredible the world really is; If it’s raining, go out and feel that rain on your skin, jump in puddles, get dirty, be messy. Especially with your loved ones, because ultimately, what is the point of being serious all the time? Today, I challenge you to laugh out loud!
“Never give up on something you really want. It’s difficult to wait, but more difficult to regret.” – unknown
NO REGRETS: BURY THE HATCHET
There are toxic people we remove from our lives for good reason, but, can you think of someone that you once cared a lot about that you no longer speak to and possibly cannot remember what that reason is? Or maybe you do remember the reason but in the grand scheme of things, it seems trivial. It might be time to be courageous, bury the hatchet and mend the relationship.
So many relationships deteriorate because of communication issues, if theres one thing that will change this, it is to keep in mind that people generally have positive intent behind their words. Maybe you have misinterpreted a situation and they meant you no harm. Having an actual conversation with an open mind and heart can do wonders. If that person is someone you want to be in your life on your final day, then what are you waiting for?
NO REGRETS: HEALTHY LIVING FROM AN EARLY AGE
Another huge regret that people have is the lack of respect given to their health. People regret not using sunscreen, avoiding excercise, ignoring mental health issues. In this section, I am referring to health in a holistic way; body, mind and spirit.
The best way to look after our bodies is to begin from a young age, the time is now to lather on the sunscreen, use moisturiser, eat more vegetables, avoid excessive alcohol, quit smoking and drugs. It is time to make a habit of excercise, possibly joining a local sporting club, it is time to treat the body with the respect it deserves, remember, you live your entire life in your body. It is your minds home.
Mental Health is often overlooked and can become increasingly worse with age, however, learning natural ways to manage low moods and/ or finding a trusted counsellor that you visit regularly from an earlier age can help ease these issues later in life.
Be honest with yourself, are you really treating your body with the appreciation and adoration it deserves?
NO REGRETS: LIVE YOUR LIFE, NOT SOMEONE ELSES
We all have people that have certain expectations of us. Maybe it’s expecting you to go into a certain career, achieve certain grades, be good at a certain sport, or like certain things. It’s time to be true to your personal wants and needs. To not worry about meeting family or friend expectations but rather to meet our own expectations.
What do YOU want from your life? Are you living the life you want to be living? Consider each aspect of your life; home, work, spiritual, education. Are you doing the things that make you happy? Or the things that make someone else happy because you think that’s the right thing to do?
Heres a tip, your life is your own, no one elses. No one has to live it but you, so choose courage and make the choices that will allow you to live the life of YOUR dreams.
NO REGRETS: GET OUT THERE AND SEE THE WORLD
Not travelling more is another regret people have at the end of their lives, we make excuses why we cannot travel; we don’t have time or money. Well, as my mother always says; you can’t take it with you, so why not spend that money on seeing this incredible world? Within reason of course, don’t spend your lifes savings, but you can always earn more money. What are you earning it for anyway? If not to have amazing experiences with your family and friends?
So book that trip to see penguins in Antartica or see the majestic Taj Mahal in India. Go on a safari in Africa or see the beautiful beaches of Hawaii. Go on a yoga retreat in Bali or drink champagne at the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. If you want to keep it closer to home, look up tourist attractions in your home or local towns. Most people don’t visit the things in their cities that people travel the globe to visit. Stop making excuses and go discover and experience.
“In the end, we only regret the chances we didn’t take, the relationships we were afraid to have, and the decisions we waited too long to make.” – Lewis Carroll
It is so important for us to start now and not put off making these changes. Truly take some time to consider the things that you will possibly regret not doing, and action those things. On a similar note, it is equally important not to regret the things we do in our lives, as they make us who we are today!
What are your top regrets that you have not done in your life? What steps have you taken to change this regret? I would love to hear from you in the comment section below. Please subscribe with your email below so that you receive my weekly posts direct to your inbox. Check me out on twitter @-mindbodylife and instagram @_mindbodylife, I’d love to connect with you!
Love & Light
Lauren x
