As a psychologist interested in challenges throughout the life cycle, I have had the pleasure of working with those just beginning their life journey and those at the end. Not surprisingly, many people tend to have regrets at the end of their life. After all, it is difficult to say goodbye with goals left incomplete and dreams unfulfilled. The most regrets, according to end-of-life interviews, tend to be related to the things not done versus things that were done in life, even if the latter did not work out.

Armed with this knowledge, I work with my younger adult patients to help them more clearly identify their goals and remove the psychological obstacles impeding their action before they turn into regrets. For some patients, it is as if they are living their life “on hold.” An obscure phenomenon may help explain why........

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