If you thought your final regrets would be about missed adventures or neglected loved ones, think again.
According to Julie McFadden, a hospice nurse who has been by the side of over 100 dying individuals, the most common regret is far more profound—and heartbreakingly universal.
The Biggest Regret
Speaking on Rob Moore’s Disruptors podcast, McFadden described her role as an “honor” for witnessing the last breaths of her patients.
But beyond the peace and reflection, she’s observed a striking pattern in their final moments.
“Most people don’t regret not seeing the world,” she shared.
“What they truly mourn is not appreciating life when they were healthy.”
McFadden transitioned to hospice care in 2016 where she gained intimate insight into how finances can shape the end-of-life experience.
“I think the biggest thing I hear from people [who are] dying is that they wish they would have appreciated how well they felt before,” she mentioned.
