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My Biggest Life Regrets at 70 Years Old

4 min readJun 4, 2026

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Photo by Efrem Efre on Pexels

I spent nearly five decades building a career across three regions of the world.

The first half of my professional life was in India, where I learned the value of hard work and perseverance. A brief chapter in the Middle East exposed me to a truly international work environment and broadened my perspective.

The latter half of my career unfolded in the United States, where I continued to grow professionally and eventually retired after more than 45 years in the workforce.

I am grateful for the opportunities, friendships, and experiences my career provided. I do not regret working hard.

But now, at 70 years old, a deeper question has risen.

Did I work harder than necessary, at the expense of other important aspects of life?

With the benefit of hindsight, I would like to share a few observations.

The Mistake Many of Us Make

At some point in a successful career, responsibilities grow, income rises, and opportunities seem endless.

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Sivakumar Ramanathan
Sivakumar Ramanathan

Written by Sivakumar Ramanathan

Retired Finance & IT professional exploring National Parks and Ashrams. I blog, edit travel videos, and spend quality time with my grandkids when not traveling.

Mind Cafe
Mind Cafe

Published in Mind Cafe

Relaxed, inspiring essays about happiness.