2020 New Year Resolutions based on “The Top Five Regrets of the Dying”

2020 is around the corner. It’s the time when people think of making a fresh start- new resolutions. It’s the time of the year when every writer and magazine lists out doable list of New resolutions. I too was contemplating, but then I thought it would be ‘just another post’. At that time I came across the book The Top Five Regrets of the Dying by Bronnie Ware. After going through the book, I felt it would be appropriate to pen down my new year resolution suggestions based on key insights from this book.  

Bronnie Ware is an Australian artist turned banker turned palliative care-worker turned author. She turned into an international sensation with the book The Top Five Regrets of the Dying. The book has been translated to 27 languages and has sold millions of copies. The moment we hear our days are numbered, suddenly we wake up from our mundane life and start contemplating what went wrong in my life and how I can improvise to make it better. But by then time would have slipped off from our hands. So instead of each of us waiting to hear this statement from our Doctor, let’s be proactive and learn from all those people who shared their  last moments of despair with Bronnie Ware

I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me

This was the most common regret Bronnie Ware. How many of us have done this? How many of us have followed a path just because of people around us and are currently living a life of regret? How many of your dreams have gone unfulfilled? Those people who shared the regret with Bronnie did not have time, but then you have. Decide to honor your dreams from today onwards. At least aim to fulfill half of it.

I wish I didn’t work so hard

Though this was the main regret for many men Bronnie Ware spoke to, I am sure if we look into ourselves, it’s going to be the regret of the men and women of this generation alike. In the struggle for making our career and dream house, most of us are missing out on living the moment. Stop and think. Are you missing out on your children’s smile, youth, and your partner’s companionship, then this new year you need to make some changes. Make some simple lifestyle changes and make conscious choices along the way to make it possible.

I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings

According to Bronnie Ware, many people suppressed their feelings in order to keep peace with others. As a result, they settled for a mediocre existence and never became who they were truly capable of becoming. She even found that many developed illnesses due to the bitterness and resentment they carried. Let this not happen in your life. Take the courage to express your thoughts and views and move forward. Today people around you may not understand, but then eventually they will.  Do not settle for mediocrity.

 I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends

 Many had become so caught up in their own lives that they had let golden friendships slip by over the years according to Bronnie Ware. People had many deep regrets about not giving friendships the time and effort that they deserved. I am sure this would hold true in many of your lives. In your search for a new job, achieving new heights, chasing new dreams you might have forgotten and or would have kept old friendship at the corner of your mind. Do not wait to get connected back to them after you retire. It might be too late. Start right away and stay connected and find time to meet them in person.

I wish that I had let myself be happier

Many Bronnie Ware interviewed surprisingly did not realize until the end that happiness is a choice. They had stayed stuck in old patterns and habits. They were so scared of moving away from their routine life, even though they were unhappy with it. Take a moment and think. Are you leading an unhappy life? Then take the courage to move out of it. Take baby steps and start moving towards a new beginning.

Let 2020 set a new beginning in your life. Let there be no more regrets in your life. Happy New year to all!