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Original poster

If you were told you’d die tomorrow, is there anything you would regret?

94 replies

TeaAndSymumthy · 04/04/2026 19:10

This has been plaguing my mind for days.

I had a dream that I was told I only had 24hrs to live, it was quite realistic in the sense that life was exactly how it is now, same age, same home, same point in time.

In said dream, I said to DH on my deathbed, that I love him and the kids and they are my greatest achievement.. however I am absolutely gutted that I spent my life trying to avoid getting in debt, being frugal, not being able to afford anything of any real luxury. We never took the kids abroad, we never took them camping, we’ve never done Lapland or similar because we couldn’t really afford it. I never had a ‘nice’ car that I really loved, we never spent money on the house or the garden to really make it a home. - there was quite a bit 🤣

and I’ve woke up feeling very ‘fuck it’ about life and that we should just be doing things, going places, having experiences and having nice things.. because life really is short and money is a man made concept that’s stopping us living a life we can look back on and say yeah, that was pretty good. At the moment I feel like I’m going to get to the end of my life and say ‘I really wish I’d…”

does anyone else feel like that?! Obviously we can’t just go and get into debt. But I do feel sad about it 🤣

OP posts:
SeaGlassDreamer · 04/04/2026 21:30

I would regret that there has been too much focus and angst on work.

TheChosenTwo · 04/04/2026 21:58

TeaAndSymumthy · 04/04/2026 21:20

It’s a bit of both. If we saved some money each month we would probably could just about get a camping trip in some point. But we often find ourselves living up to the pound every month

Show quote history

in which case I think you made the right decision not to. It’s a shame that you didn’t manage it but maybe it’s a goal for the future - reframe it as that you haven’t done it ‘yet’.
Even if they’re grown up when you do get round to it!

ConflictofInterest · 04/04/2026 22:21

I think it sounds like a wake up call for you, maybe you can bring more balance of fun into your life. I read a lovely old book, I think it was written in the 1930's called orchids on your budget about how to live really frugally but still enjoy your life and have the things you want. A big part of it was about being frugal about the right things, careful choices so you still fit the fun things in. We do most holidays as long weekends to save money. The funny thing is when I look back I remember the holiday but not the length of time, it's just one episode. I also do put holidays on credit card or pay in installments to spread the cost. I would regret not having holidays with my kids they grow up so fast.

FuchsiaFlingo · 04/04/2026 22:24

Yeah, just the future.

Whatever has been and gone has worked out ok - my children are asleep, healthy in their beds. DH is out walking our dog. We have a lovely home, jobs to pay our bills and holidays to escape the weather.

Life has been dreadful at times, and I’m sure there will be bad days to come.. but for now? Here we are.

DonewhatIcando · 04/04/2026 22:26

Id regret not living my life to the full, I actually regret it now, I think about death a lot, I'm a young 60.
I found as I've got older I wish I'd done more for me.
Always wanted to get married, two very long term relationships but both of them never wanted to marry me, despite both living in my home, looking after them, I'm kind, caring and loving but was never quite good enough to marry.
The 2nd long term relationship, that I'm still in, hes now decided he wants to get married, I'm a bit over it now, too little too late and I can't help but wonder if it's because I'm getting older and he thinks he'll be inheriting my house.
I just regret not thinking and allowing others to think I'm not good enough

Notmyreality · 04/04/2026 22:27

I’d regret dying tomorrow.

Berlinlover · 04/04/2026 22:28

I have Stage four cancer and am sad I never visited Moscow and Tokyo when I had the chance.

SaintHildegard · 04/04/2026 22:33

I don’t have any regrets. I’ve made huge mistakes in my life, morally ambiguous behaviour at times, I’m generally poor and frequently annoyed by the ridiculous minutiae of the world, but I’m happy with who I am, the experiences I’ve had. I wouldn’t change it. I’d regret not having more time with my kid, though.

CleanSkin · 04/04/2026 22:46

Shaveitall · 04/04/2026 19:20

I’d be relieved that it was all over.

Oh that’s so sad. I hope you find peace & happiness.

ZiggyZowie · 04/04/2026 22:49

Everything

WilfredsPies · 04/04/2026 22:54

No. I’d be devastated at having to leave loved ones, but no regrets. It would have been lovely to have met my DH earlier and to have had longer with him but, realistically, I would have messed it up if I’d met him before I did.

weareallcats · 04/04/2026 22:55

Oddly this thread has been quite enlightening for me - I don’t think I have any major regrets. I tend to make decisions based on gut feelings and have never regretted any decision I’ve made on this basis. I wish I had pursued postgraduate studies more, but I wouldn’t call it a regret as the time hasn’t been right to do it yet - I suppose I would be sad I hadn’t had the opportunity to do it.

My dad scrimped and saved for retirement to the point of misery - including not spending much during my childhood, even though he could have, he saved everything - it was all about having this incredible retirement. He fell seriously ill at 65 and died just before his 67th birthday. This was a real lesson for me.

Villanousvillans · 04/04/2026 22:57

I’d regret not spending all my money. My lovely uncle always used to say spend it, you can’t take it with you.

LydiaFunnyGums · 04/04/2026 22:59

There would be no time for regrets. I would accept it and that would be that.

RedRock41 · 04/04/2026 23:01

No.

Happiestathome · 04/04/2026 23:02

Tomorrow, yes - i would regret not living life more and having more experiences with the money I have. I am trying to save to retire early. I have health struggles and think I’ll find it hard to work until 68 (or more by then). I struggle now in my 40’s. I’ve joked with my husband that I’m going to be really annoyed on my death bed if I don’t make it to retirement first.

Davros · 04/04/2026 23:04

Right now my regret would be getting so pissed last night

BrightBlueFlamingo · 05/04/2026 00:15

I'd be ok with that in all honesty x

ShakyBake · 05/04/2026 00:51

Sounds silly I know in the scheme of things but I lost a toe in the early 90"s and always felt part of me was missing since then. Things like flip flops and just going barefoot is a given for most people but not easy for me as I'm self conscious. It also affected my balance

Crushed23 · 05/04/2026 01:59

I’d regret not taking more risks with my career, such as quitting my (dull, high pressure) chosen career and retraining in something I’m passionate about. I fantasise about this a lot but have not yet been able to make it happen / make the numbers work.

calanaiscailleach · 05/04/2026 02:23

Not seeing my first love again.

calanaiscailleach · 05/04/2026 02:24

Berlinlover · 04/04/2026 22:28

I have Stage four cancer and am sad I never visited Moscow and Tokyo when I had the chance.

I’m so sorry 😔

MarxistMags · 05/04/2026 02:42

I regret not travelling more. And now, as I've aged, I've got acute travel anxiety and find it hard to go anywhere.

Nofeckingway · 05/04/2026 02:50

Oh so many . Not having the courage or knowledge of how to achieve my full potential. Settling for my ex . Not having more children. Not being more present for my parents. Not being more money savvy to avoid the constant money worries.

FiveShelties · 05/04/2026 02:58

I would be too busy drinking single malt to have any regrets.

😁