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People Nearing The End Of Their Lives Are Sharing If They Regret Having Done Everything Right By Their Health Were all those salads worth it in the end? At the end of a long life, regrets often reveal what truly matters. For some, it’s not taking care of their bodies sooner. For others, it’s having spent too much time worrying rather than living in the moment. So when Reddit user u/LamppostBoy asked, “People nearing the end of their natural life, do you regret having done everything right by your health?” the answers were raw, real, and surprisingly varied. Here's what 17 older folks had to say about it: 1. "Almost 80 here, and I have no regrets. I never smoked or drank excessively. Now I get to crochet, read, write, and spend time with my best friends (doggies)." —u/Rightbuthumble 2. "I'm a 74-year-old man and a lifelong runner and marathoner. Many of my friends are so out of shape that they can hardly walk to the mailbox. On the other hand, I am finding this to be a great time of life to travel, play catch, chase my grandchildren, and generally enjoy these years." 3. "I’m at least 10 years — hoping for more — from the end of my life. I don’t regret my lifetime of healthy habits because they helped me survive cancer." "My doctors told me, upon going in for cancer surgery, that I was a healthy person despite the cancer. All my organs were in good shape, and I wasn’t on any medications." —u/Kayak1984 4. "I wouldn’t change anything. I did all I could with what I had to work with. Had a lot of fun, met some great people, and helped out family, friends, and strangers when I could. I’m ready for the final sleep and have no regrets or fears." —u/RetroMetroShow 5. "I’m nearing 80. I’ve always aimed for a lifestyle that could provide comfort and joy. That included using my body (I don’t like the word exercise) to feel good, and eating food I enjoy." 6. "I’ve gotten myself into great shape and am having the time of my life. Haven’t felt this good in 40 years. I enjoyed all the bad things but knew enough to let them all go a while back. Zero regrets." —u/Binspin63 7. "My grandmother is 95 years old, and she has mentioned no regrets. It's more like she's melancholic about her great physical health. She says that she feels so out of place as all of her peers are dead and all her remaining family is decades younger than her." "I get the impression that she's ready to die and sees no end in sight." —u/eatshoney 8. "The closer to the inevitable I get, the more gratitude I have that, for whatever reasons, I did the right, healthy things over the others." "For instance, this means I can still drink wine, which I love, because I always drank in moderation. So many I know have had to give up everything because of health problems." —u/Watchhistory 9. "I have a lot of regrets as far as working out. I was a runner for a long time, and if I could go back, I'd do more cross-training. My knees are gone as well as my shoulders and back." 10. "79 here. Never smoked, seldom drank more than a beer, very occasionally. This November, I plan to attend the Marine Corps Birthday Beach Bash, and yes, I can still fit in my Dress Blues from 1965…No regrets at all, I’ve had a great ride." "I have been thinking about all of it since being diagnosed with a brain tumor last winter. I’ve now survived it (and the surgery/recovery) and a broken pelvis. Lost many of my friends along the way…so you just make the best choices you can, for yourself and for those around you." —u/billb33806 11. "No regrets. I'm 72, recovering from open-heart surgery to replace a valve, but went in strong with no other health issues. I was out of the hospital in five days rather than the predicted seven." "I'm seeing people in Cardiac rehab who are 20 years younger but who have had bypass surgery and/or stents placed. Many of the others are struggling to walk around the track or use the machines because they've been sedentary." —u/CleanCalligrapher223 12. "89 here. Smoked cigarettes and drank a lot of whiskey when I was young, and spent lots of time in unhealthy, fun pursuits. Today, I smoke a cigar every two or three days paired with a good liquor while I sit outside and listen to good jazz. I have common old man issues, and I may die tonight from a stroke, but as Gus McCrea said in Lonesome Dove, 'Aye god, it was quite a party.'" 13. "We’re all different, but an uncle of mine who lived to 95 said to me, 'I wish I had checked out at 80.' He said this long before dementia got him. Similar confessions were made by other relatives with strict health regimes and very long lives." —u/glimmer621 14. "I laugh every time I chug my Dr Pepper with my fries. I like eggs. I did cut back from three sausages to two a day, but I still have to make another pot of coffee before the day is over. I run TV movies 24/7, napping along the way. I like the couch. Never been to a gym. All my family and friends died, but I'm still standing. Love junk food. No booze ever. I do salt. I do sugar. What am I doing right? I'm 77." "I'm leaving out the '60s college, '70s disco stuff. The dope and cigarettes." —u/DoubleLibrarian393 15. "It was healthy exercise, but aerobic dancing killed my knees." —u/Meryem313 16. "I wasn't hung up on my health, but I wasn't looking for trouble, either. I was open to a little of both, and I was surprisingly lucky. My parents both lived until 96, and I don't want any part of that. 80 to 85 has always been my sweet spot, and I think I'll make that." And last but not least... 17. "I am 76 and a vegetarian. I run and go to yoga. I smoked some weed and took acid a couple of times when I lived in San Francisco. Most of the time, I would take the trolley to museums or places of interest while my friends got drunk and stoned. I take gummies now. I had relatively good habits my whole life, and sadly, have buried many friends who did not. I don't regret anything." "I take that back. I should have gone to the dentist more. I have five implants, and they cost a small fortune." —u/Charbro11 Older folks of the BuzzFeed Community — what's your take? Are you here for a good time, not a long time, or are you all about living cautiously till the very end? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below or via this anonymous form.
