Let me ask you something real quick: have you ever met someone in their 70s who doesn’t have at least one “I wish I…” moment? Yeah, me neither.

I’ve had a few older folks school me on life, and trust me, they don’t hold back. They drop truths the way kids drop ice cream cones—fast, dramatic, and usually a little painful.

Over the years, I’ve noticed they all circle around the same eight regrets. Like clockwork. And honestly? Their honesty helped me rethink a few choices of my own.

So if you’ve ever wondered what people wish they’d done differently before time sped up on them, pull up a seat. Let’s chat like friends (because we are, IMO).

1) Neglecting to Live in the Moment

Ever caught yourself scrolling endlessly while life goes on like a movie behind you? Same. And older adults love reminding us how moments don’t repeat themselves, no matter how many times we replay them in our heads.

Why this regret hits hard

People hit 70 and realize they spent too much time:

• Worrying about things that never happened
• Planning so far ahead they forgot the “right now”
• Waiting for a “perfect time” that never existed

I once heard someone say, “I blinked and suddenly my kids weren’t kids anymore.” That line stuck with me more than any motivational quote.

The takeaway

You can’t pause life, but you can actually be present for it. And FYI, memories age better than regrets.

2) Not Spending Enough Time With Loved Ones

This one comes up so often it practically screams, “Do better while you can.” People regret the dinners they skipped, the calls they postponed, and the people they assumed would always be around.

The pattern is always the same

They say things like:

• “I thought we had more time.”
• “I chose work over weekends.”
• “I didn’t know the last time was the last time.”

Ever had that sinking feeling after losing someone and thinking, Why didn’t I show up more? Older folks feel that times a thousand.

The takeaway

Relationships are the real currency, and they appreciate more than anything your bank keeps for you.

3) Settling for Less Than We Deserve

Oh, this one stings. Whether it’s relationships, careers, or friendships, most people admit they settled because it felt easier than going after what they truly wanted.

What settling looks like

• Staying in a job that drained them
• Staying with someone who wasn’t right for them
• Shrinking themselves so others felt comfortable

One woman told me she stayed in a career she hated for 40 years because “at least it was stable.” I nearly choked on my drink. Stability isn’t worth your soul.

The takeaway

If something feels small, suffocating, or wrong—don’t shrink yourself to fit it. Expand your life instead.

4) Not Taking Enough Risks

Let’s be honest: comfort zones feel amazing… right up until they trap you. People in their 70s often talk about how they stayed safe instead of brave.

What they regret not doing

• Starting a business
• Moving to a new city
• Ending the things that made them miserable
• Saying yes to opportunities they secretly craved

Ever wondered why older folks encourage you to “just go for it”? Because they didn’t. And they had to live with that.

The takeaway

Fear ages fast, but courage pays off for decades. Take the leap while your knees still cooperate.

5) Neglecting Personal Health

You know that gym membership you renew every January and abandon by March? Yeah… people regret that. Big time.

What they admit they ignored

• Exercise
• Regular checkups
• Eating like someone who wants to live long
• Sleeping properly (instead of acting like sleep is optional)

One older man once told me, “Your body sends polite reminders when you’re younger. Later it sends threats.” He wasn’t wrong.

The takeaway

You don’t need to train like an Olympian, but you do need to treat your health like it matters—because it does.

6) Not Expressing Feelings

If I had a dollar for every older adult who said “I wish I’d told them how I felt,” I’d probably retire early. People hold back because they fear looking vulnerable, emotional, or “too much.”

But guess what’s actually too much? Regretting all the words you never said.

Common emotional regrets

• Not saying “I love you” enough
• Not apologizing when they should have
• Not standing up for themselves
• Not telling someone how much they mattered

Ever kept quiet about something important and later thought, Why did I swallow that? Multiply that feeling by 40 years.

The takeaway

Speak up. Life rarely rewards silence.

7) Not Pursuing Personal Passions

Ask older adults what they wish they did more, and you’ll hear everything from writing books to traveling to learning instruments. The saddest part? They always thought they had time.

Reasons they didn’t chase their passions

• “I’m too busy.”
• “I’ll get to it later.”
• “What if I’m not good at it?”

Spoiler alert: Later never comes unless you make it.

The takeaway

Passion isn’t a hobby—it’s a lifeline. Don’t kill it by postponing it.

8) Failing to Actively Create Happiness

This one always surprises people. Happiness doesn’t magically fall from the sky in your 70s. You don’t get a surprise delivery like, “Congrats! You made it to old age—here’s unlimited joy.” Nope.

Older adults regret not choosing happiness on purpose.

Examples of happiness they didn’t cultivate

• Small joys (hobbies, sunsets, slow mornings)
• Healthy boundaries
• Playfulness
• Real rest
• Friendships that feel like sunshine

Ever met someone who waited their whole life to be happy only to realize nothing changes unless they change? It’s heartbreaking.

The takeaway

Happiness isn’t passive—you create it like a daily ritual.

Conclusion

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from listening to older folks, it’s this: life doesn’t slow down for anyone. One day you wake up, and everything you put off becomes a “wish I had.” These eight regrets aren’t random—they’re warnings wrapped in wisdom.

So here’s my friendly nudge:
Start living now. Start choosing now. Start feeling now. Start prioritizing now.

Because honestly? You deserve more than a list of regrets at 70. You deserve a life that makes future-you smile and say, “Yep, I did that.”

And hey—no pressure, but the clock is ticking.