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Hospice nurse Julie McFadden has spent years working with patients in their final moments. Through her experience, she’s learned a lot about the dying process and the things people often wish they’d done differently before their time comes.
Julie works to ease the fear around death, hoping to help others understand it’s a natural part of life. In addition to her nursing, she has written a book and built a social media platform to share her knowledge on death and dying.
While death might not be the easiest topic to discuss, Julie’s perspective has changed over the years. Working in healthcare, she began noticing the “natural beauty” of the dying process. It’s something that happens to everyone, and Julie wants to help people see it for what it is—a normal, natural event to not be afraid of.
Insights from Years of Experience
Julie’s career has given her a unique and often overlooked perspective. She’s spent years working both in Intensive Care Units and hospice care, which has allowed her to witness the final stages of life firsthand. Over time, she’s seen hundreds of people pass away, learning many of their final thoughts and wishes.
Julie has amassed more than 1.5 million followers on Tiktok with her insights into death and dying. She recently shared her experiences on the podcast Disruptors, hosted by businessman and author Rob Moore. She explained that, after all these years, she’s come to realize two common wishes people have near the end of their lives.
The First Common Wish: Time Spent at Work
Julie explained that many people’s first regret is the time they spent working. It’s a common sentiment among those nearing the end of life. Many wish they had focused more on spending time with loved ones or pursuing personal passions instead of overworking. Of course, this is easier said than done, especially with the pressures of everyday life, like bills and responsibilities.
The Second Common Wish: Appreciating Health
The second wish Julie often hears is something even more personal and powerful: people wish they had appreciated their health more. Julie explained, “The main thing people say… is, ‘I wish I would have appreciated my health’.”
When people are healthy, it’s easy to take it for granted. But when illness strikes—whether it’s something small like a cold or something more serious—the feeling of longing for health becomes undeniable. Julie’s experience with patients has shown her just how often this regret arises in their final moments.
Julie’s Reflection on Health and Gratitude
Julie has learned from these final reflections, which led her to start a nightly ritual of writing a “gratitude list.” She lists the small, often overlooked things she’s thankful for, like the ability to breathe, walk, and feel the warmth of the sun. These are simple things, but they can easily be taken for granted.
Julie added, “I think the biggest thing I hear from people [who are] dying is that they wish they would have appreciated how well they felt before.”
Spreading Awareness About the Dying Process
Julie is vocal about the dying process because she believes people should understand it before they’re faced with it themselves or with a loved one. Her goal is to help reduce the fear and confusion surrounding death, allowing people to approach it with more acceptance and peace.
By sharing her insights, Julie hopes to encourage others to live with gratitude, appreciating their health and the small joys in life before it’s too late.
