Top 10 Things Most People Regret in Their Old Age

Top 10 Thing Most People Regret in Their Old Age

Number 1. Not Travelling When They Had the Chance.

Many people think that travelling is a waste of time and money. But travelling is a worthwhile investment that most people don't realize. Travelling exposes us to new cultures, different lifestyles, and interesting people. It makes us realize how little we know about the world. And as we learn more about people, it helps us overcome our prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.

Saint Augustine aptly said, “The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.”

Number 2: Not Taking Care of Their Health While Younger.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, most people in America today can expect to live up to 85 years. But getting older comes with various health challenges. The most common diseases that most elderlies suffer from includes arthritis, heart disease, cancer, respiratory problems, and Alzheimer.

The good news is that these chronic diseases are preventable even in old age by making healthy lifestyle choices, like quitting smoking, losing weight, and eating healthy diet.

Number 3: Staying in a Bad Relationship.

Whether you end up marrying a prince or a pauper, your relationship will never be a troubled-free relationship. Unfortunately, relationships are not like cars that you can dispose to the junk yard once you have maximized its mileage.

A survey of 2,000 married couples reveals that 20 percent felt they are trapped in their marriages but would not divorce for fear of financial insecurity, and for being alone.

Number 4: Making Decisions Based on Other's Opinions.
One of the values that we often teach our children is the importance of listening to, and appreciating the opinions of others. Among Asian and African societies, the decisions of the elders are esteemed more than one's desires and ideas.

Unfortunately, for the sake of gaining trust and approval, many children end up making decisions based on the opinions of others. In the process, it stifles one's creativity, and it reduces a person's sense of adventure and discovery.

Number 5: Working Too Much.
Work in as integral part of human existence. Work provides us not only with the ability to support our family, but also with a sense of purpose. Work gives us the opportunity to apply our skills and abilities.

But for some people, work defines them. Their identity is knitted with what they do, and are consumed by deadlines, productions, quality control, et cetera. They worked so hard, logged in so much time, and failed to live.

Number 6: Not Spending Enough Time with Your Children and Parents.

Time is the only commodity that cannot be redeemed once it is lost. And not spending enough time with your children or parents is an opportunity that is opened but for a moment. By the time most of us realize the value of this, our children have grown up and our parents are now resting in their graves.

Consequently, we failed to impart valuable lessons to our children that would have guided them in the right way. Instead, they have learned their values from their friends, and from what they watch.

Number 7: Not Taking a Big Risk.
Taking a big risk does not mean climbing Mount Everest, or sky diving. For an abused child, taking a big risk could mean learning to trust someone. For someone who have experienced a bitter break-up, taking a big risk could mean falling in love again. For the women in Saudi Arabia, driving a car is a big risk. For gay people in India, it means coming out of the closet.

Number 8: Not Quitting a Terrible Job.

Work could be a blessing or a curse. Work related hazards, unpleasant work relations, overbearing bosses, rigid time schedule, and minimum wage are some of the reasons to quit a job. But many people carry these burdens to carry on with their jobs.

Some of the reasons for not quitting a terrible job includes the hope that things might improve, fear of losing an income, quitting is bad for one's record, much time was already invested, and job prospects are limited.

Number 9: Not Learning a New Hobby.

Learning a new hobby can be a wonderful thing. Here are some benefits of having a hobby. First, hobbies encourage us to take a break from. our busy an monotonous schedule. Second, hobbies offer a new challenge. It provides us an excellent outlet for challenging ourselves. Third, hobbies unite us with others. And fourth, hobbies provide an outlet for stress.

Number 10: Not Expressing One's Affection.
In his book “It's Time for Joy,” Brian Biro wrote this poignant line, “The love we fail to share is the only pain we leave with.” “I have known so many people who left this life in pain because they failed to express their love and appreciation before it was too late,” he continued.