Deathbed Regret #5 (It’s a Good One)
By Mindy McHorse

“I wish that I had let myself be happier.”

That’s one of the five most common regrets people have when they’re getting ready to “check out.”

At first glance, it seems almost … silly. I mean, who turns down happiness? How do you prevent yourself from being happy?

I struggled with this for a while. Then one day, while driving along the highway, country singer Tim McGraw’s song came on the radio: “Live Like You Were Dying.”

It tells the story of a young fellow – a forty-something – who got news that “stopped him on a dime” and made him realize “this might really be the real end.”

After getting that news, the fellow went skydiving … mountain climbing … bull riding. He “loved deeper” and “spoke sweeter” and “gave forgiveness.”

In the end, he wished others would get the chance to live like they’re dying.

After the song faded out, it dawned on me … that’s exactly how we defy happiness. We turn down opportunities to have fun in favor of all the things we think we have to do.

It might be something as simple as not inviting a friend over for dinner because you don’t think your house is tidy enough. Or maybe not going camping with the family because it means you’ve got to pack and plan a little.

Yet, if you make that tiny bit of effort, then you end up having a great, memorable, and valuable time.

I think not choosing to live the writer’s life is a way of denying yourself happiness. Sure, it’s not for everybody. But if it tempts you in the least … if the leisurely days and sheer independence of it all makes your mouth water … then why not?

As writers, we’re tasked with living more deeply than most. By that, I mean we excel fastest only after acknowledging what really makes us tick. We don’t subscribe to life as everybody else knows it. We focus instead on what brings us joy, like being able to travel when and where we want and only involving ourselves in projects we’re passionate about.

This lifestyle takes a little bit of planning, sure. And its greatest rewards come only after you dig deep down into your own core emotions and figure out what’s most meaningful to you, and then center your work around pursuing that.

Other professions don’t require that level of dedication. Freelancing, in a sense, demands it. To me, it’s the ultimate “live like you’re dying” profession. It’s a road that can take you to your own personal definition of happiness.

And in the end, it’s a safeguard against that final deathbed regret.

Ready to live life without regrets? If you share your career and life goals below, I’ll respond by showing you how the writer’s life can get you there.

One of my goals is to live in several different countries for at least a year at a time – starting with China, Australia, France, and Ecuador. I want my kids to experience the world beyond our American doorstep.

Is that possible as a freelance copywriter? Absolutely. Does it scare me sometimes to think about? Yup. But will taking on that challenge bring an incredible payoff? Of course.

With that, I urge you to go out and LIVE. Don’t allow any of the regrets we’ve talked about this week to sour your life experience. Take the plunge into whatever it is you’re hankering to do. Chances are the payoff will be a lifetime of true satisfaction.

Looking for more tips on savoring life? Here’s an article I wrote on two things you need to do to make each day count: “Make Each Day Count When You Face These 2 Truths.”