Conversations What caring for the dying taught Bronnie Ware about living
Sep 25, 2025
Bronnie Ware, a palliative carer-turned-author, shares profound insights from her experiences with the dying. She reveals the top five regrets expressed by her patients, emphasizing the importance of open communication and acceptance in life. Bronnie recounts how her early childhood shaped her view on death and living bravely. She discusses her journey from burnout to finding joy in nature and storytelling, and how caregiving has taught her to embrace life’s fleeting moments without fear of death.
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Viral Blog Sparked A Life’s Work
- Bronnie Ware recounts writing a 2009 blog post about palliative care experiences that went viral and became her book The Top Five Regrets of the Dying.
- That post emerged from years of bedside listening and shaped her life's direction and public work.
Five Core Regrets Of The Dying
- Bronnie distilled five common regrets people voiced facing death, including not living true to themselves and not letting themselves be happier.
- These regrets became a framework for how she and many readers reassess priorities in life.
Holding The Dying: Ruth’s Final Days
- Bronnie describes caring for Ruth who was sent home to die and how companionship became central to her role beyond physical tasks.
- She learned to read dying people's needs, like Ruth insisting on an open window, and held her through the final breaths.
