The five most common regrets people have before they die, according to psychology

As people approach the end of their lives, they often reflect on their past actions and decisions, questioning whether they really took the right path. According to studies conducted by the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), there are five regrets that prevail among those in their final years.

Susana Ruiz Ramírez, from the UNAM School of Medicine, delved deeper into this topic and focused on old age. “Regrets are common in old age, due to reflection on our actions and the proximity of death. This leads us to ask ourselves what we can still do to leave with peace of mind,” she explains.

Many people regret not having pursued their true dreams and aspirations. Ruiz Ramírez suggests differentiating between possible dreams and those that, due to life circumstances, are no longer achievable. He proposes practical solutions such as adapting these dreams to the current reality, allowing us to live meaningful experiences, albeit on a smaller scale.

Overwork and dedication to unwanted careers are common causes of regret. This aspect is often accompanied by the feeling of having neglected other areas of life, such as family. Finding balance and purpose in work is essential to minimize these feelings in old age.

A common regret is not being open about one's feelings. Ruiz Ramirez says that post-World War II generations were often raised to repress negative emotions, leading to a culture of emotional silence. Assertive communication and empathy from childhood can be key to avoiding this regret.

As we age, it is natural for some friendships to fade. Ruiz Ramírez stresses the importance of analyzing the causes of these losses and deciding whether it is healthy to renew those ties or accept their end.

The search for happiness is a common but subjective goal. Many people reach old age feeling that they were not genuinely happy. According to Ruiz Ramírez, recognizing that happiness is fleeting and that a satisfactory life does not imply a constant state of joy is fundamental to accepting one's own life path.

To deal with these regrets, the specialist recommends actively resolving pending conflicts, seeking spiritual tranquility through love and forgiveness, accepting what cannot be changed, forgiving oneself and learning from past experiences to live more fully.

The Universal (Mexico) / GDA

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*This content was created with the assistance of artificial intelligence, based on information from El Universal (GDA), and was reviewed by a journalist and an editor.