What people regret the most

Several research studies have surveyed middle-aged and older adults about the topic of regret. Based on those surveys, here are the top five most commonly cited regrets. (The quotations are examples of the types of regrets expressed by people).

1. Education: “I should have finished school”; “I should have learned Spanish.”

2. Career: “I never should have left that job”; “I never should have gone into medicine.”

3. Romance: “I married the wrong person for me”; “I should never have left my first husband.”

4. Family: “I should have spent more time with the kids.”

5. Spirituality: “I should have been more involved with my church or synagogue.”

Others frequently mentioned:

Health: “I should have quit smoking sooner”; “I should have taken better care of myself.”

Self-improvement: “I should have been more assertive”; “I should have been less stubborn.”

Finance: “I should never have sold my parent’s home”; “I should have bought that stock back then.”

Altruism: “I wish I had done more to help others.”

Source: Neal Roese, University of Illinois.