When asked about what they most regret, people on their death bed usually have the same 5-10 things to say. Here are some of the most common regrets:
- “I wish that I had the courage to share how I was feeling more often.”
- “I wish I hadn’t worked so hard.”
- “I wish that I had taken more risks in my life.”
- “I wish that I prioritized my friendships more.”
There is a Latin phrase that I have come to embrace: “Tempis Fugit Memento Mori.” Translated, it simply means “time flies, remember death.” Somewhat eery, this phrase reminds us to think of our own mortality from time to time.
“It is not death that a man should fear, but rather he should fear never beginning to live.”
—Marcus Aurelius
Very few of us take the time to truly think about our own death. We all logically know that we will eventually die someday (Health guru and millionaire Bryan Johnson might disagree). Our lives are fast-paced, and we barely have time to think about tomorrow, let alone the end of our lives.
Pondering one’s death seems on the face of it to be an anxiety-ridden, unnecessary practice. But the beauty of this simple practice has been proven to me time and time again.
“Pondering one’s death does two important things for you: it illuminates what you value most and puts your daily anxieties into a cosmic perspective.“
Choosing to think about your impending mortality pulls us out of our fast-paced daily routines and reminds us to look around and value the present moment more. If you are a natural overthinker or tend to be a workaholic like me, you know how easy it is to be trapped in the rat race to the top. I often feel as if my goals and my accomplishments need to be prioritized above all else. I care far too much about what my boss and coworkers think about me, and it becomes easy to be obsessed about advancing to the next level.
By adopting this daily practice, I have learned to restore my peace of mind by remembering that life is far too short. When you’re on your death bed someday, you won’t remember the job you took at the age of 22 or the awkward conversation you once had with a stranger. These moments can feel defining in the moment until you step back and get perspective on what ultimately matters.
In an odd way, focusing on our eventual mortality also helps us value the more important things in life. It frees us to accept the things in life that we cannot control and find peace in that knowledge. I choose to refocus my attention on giving time to people that I care about while ignoring what others might think about me.
So take some time to think about your death from time to time. Be grateful for the present moment and remember that life is too short to waste it worrying or regretting things that do not ultimately matter.
