A short YouTube monologue by James Laughlin reflecting on palliative-care patients’ common regret—having worked too hard—and urging listeners to balance industriousness with deeper emotional reflection rather than constant busyness. The piece contrasts healthy pursuit of growth with avoidance of feelings through overwork.
Now imagine you're a palliative care nurse like Bronnie was. And you're sitting with these beautiful old souls who are dying, who know that death is imminent. It's approaching. And they say, I wish I hadn't worked so hard. If I was Bronnie, I'd be in tears. I'd be devastated seeing these beautiful souls say, I wish I hadn't spent so much time working so hard. Look, we all need something to pursue, something to grow, something to be industrious with. But do we need to busy ourselves and distract ourselves constantly with work? To avoid feeling? To avoid having to go into those deep, dark thoughts of ours? I wish I hadn't worked so hard.
