What do People Regret?
Polls have shown that between 35 and 65 percent of people have some regrets. Following are some common themes of various surveys: Education: The single most common regret, even in fairly well educated samples, is that they had not gotten enough schooling. Work: Many wish they had chosen a different occupation, and many women say they wish they had pursued meaningful employment outside the home. Marriage: Regrets range from wishing one had married earlier, later or to a different person, or not at all. Family: If they had to do it over again, people say they would try to get along better with parents, siblings and children. Getting older, habitually making hasty decisions, brooding, suffering from chronic emotional distress and coming from a particular culture all can predispose people to greater feelings of regret.
