TikTok hospice nurse Hadley Vlahos has opened up about the regrets she hears most often from people near the end of life. Her stories resonate deeply and encourage reflection on what truly matters.
Many patients regret not telling loved ones how much they cared while there was still time. This missed chance to express love weighs heavily as life draws to a close.
Another common realization is that wealth cannot protect against death. Hadley recalls women in both grand and modest homes—what mattered in their final days was the people with them, not possessions.
Patients also regret postponing life’s joys in pursuit of work or perfection. One man reflected on wasting years waiting for the “right time” and now urges others to live fully without delay.
@nursehadley Some of the most important life lessons I’ve learned are from my hospice patients. I think we can all learn from each other when we take the time to listen 🩵 #hospicenurse #regrets
A patient confessed spending her life impressing others instead of following her own desires, a choice she deeply mourned.
Many express sorrow over spending too much time working and not enough with family, missing key moments with children.
Hadley emphasizes that these regrets teach us to value love, presence, and self-authenticity because the future isn’t guaranteed.
