Live a life of adventure: The #1 regret of the dying

As we navigate the course of our lives, we often find ourselves driven by societal expectations, engrained norms, or the desires of others, sometimes more than our own. However, it is worthwhile to take a moment and reflect upon the life-altering study performed by Bronnie Ware, an Australian nurse. Her enlightening work, "The Top Five Regrets of the Dying" offers poignant and rare insights from individuals in the final weeks of their lives, providing us with valuable lessons on how to live fully and authentically.

The most common regret, and the focal point of this email, was:

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

This powerful statement reverberates with deep implications about personal authenticity and the courage to live our lives on our terms, and adopt an adventure mindset.

Living a life true to oneself requires an honest and ongoing dialogue with our deepest desires and aspirations. It calls for us to lay down the safety net of others' expectations and tread into the unknown, where our real passions might reside. Far too often, we silence our inner voices to appease others, to fit in, or avoid conflict. But as we navigate our journey, it is crucial to remember that we're the ones living our lives — no one else.

Reality is, the choices we make in life, big or small, should resonate with our authentic selves; they should be products of our uniqueness, passion, and sense of purpose. To do this, it's important to spend quality time in self-reflection, identifying what truly brings us joy, fulfilment, and a sense of purpose. Discovering this authenticity doesn't mean we’ll forever evade challenges or discomfort. Instead, it helps us lead a life where we are at peace with our decisions and their respective consequences.

The regret expressed by Ware's patients laments a lack of courage - courage to defy expectations, to assert our individuality, to fight for the life we want. Courage doesn't merely exist; it is a characteristic honed over time, refined with every brave decision we make. It's about embracing vulnerability and an unknown future over a perceived safety in the known, which is frequently another person's vision for us.

So let this email be the nudge you need. F*ck the job you hate, take that risk, live, laugh, fail, fight for what you truly believe in. Rowing an ocean was the gateway for us, so find your ocean before time passes you by.