Unfortunately I’m no stranger to death. My introduction to the Reaper happened at my father’s funeral – he took his own life when I was 7. During the next 13 years I attended the funerals of 5 close family members…And there weren’t that many of us to begin with. At our peak there were 11 of us.
So as a result of having all this exposure to human demise, I seem to think about death more than most people. This declaration is based on a very scientific study which involved me asking my friends how often they think about death after they called me weird for bringing it up so much. The results of this ‘study’ showed that my friends rarely think of our end – usually only when prompted by a tragedy in the world – while I contemplate it daily.
When I drift off to sleep, I often ask myself if I would be ok not waking up – if I would be happy if my life ended on this day…Maybe this is why I suck at sleeping…But I believe this very contemplation is part of why I am barreling down the path to financial independence while many of my friends are still lamenting about not being able to save enough or spending more than they planned to despite me being open about the math and how getting a reign on spending in our yuppie lives is possible.
I have always felt the urgency that’s placed upon us by knowing our time on this Earth will end, but not knowing when. It’s the stories of soon to be retirees dying at their desk at 67, stories of unfortunate auto accidents taking young lives and stories of sudden illnesses turning families upside down. These stories have always hardened my resolve and helped me see that my preoccupation with knowing the end is coming might not be a bad thing. In fact, it might be the very reason I’m retiring at 30.
The possibility and inevitability of death is always in the back of my mind – the thought that I or the people I love could die at any moment drives me to examine my life and strive for what I want now instead of later. This is the thought that pops up when I’m on an unnecessary conference call for an hour or travel across the city for a meeting that could have been an email.
This is also the thought that has made me do everything in my power to build the life I want now with the cushiest job I could find since I do not know if I, or the people I love, will still be around and able bodied when I do reach financial independence (I know…I’m obviously super fun at parties…). I’ve made my current life as awesome as possible, but knowing that my time is finite also makes me strive for more.
Time is all we have and having it wasted by doing things that don’t matter or that I don’t enjoy grates on me. Thinking about death helps me understand what I want out of life. I don’t want my life to be a blur of email pings, conference calls and mindlessly throwing money at problems to make me reliant on those pings and calls.
I want to explore this gorgeous world of ours, spend time with the people I love and see who I am when I’m not exhausted from putting out work fires that are never as important as people think they are. Always having death at the back of my brain helps me realize what I do and don’t want in my life and gives me the single minded focus to go after it while enjoying now to the fullest.
As an example, almost exactly a year ago, I was in Portland helping to pack up my uncle’s apartment. He has ALS and was moving across the country to an assisted living facility. We don’t know how long he has left and my family is now talking about ways to cope with the inevitable. Hearing about these recent discussions helped add fuel to my fire. I’m so grateful that I have a flexible work situation that allowed me to work from elsewhere and help my family, but it’s not enough.
I want to lie in bed and answer my constant question “Would I be happy if this is the end?” with “Absolutely.” At times that has been my answer, but very rarely. If I can increase the frequency of answering “yes” I believe that will be a life well lived. That’s why I’m retiring early.
Let’s get morbid with it! How often do you think about death? Does it motivate you to create the life you want now and later?
How wonderful that you were able to be there for your uncle! That’s the experience you’ll likely remember and cherish, more than anything that happens in the work context. So agree 100% that retiring early is great for that flexibility. For people who aren’t in a position to retire, more and more companies are recognizing flexible work arrangements, whether that’s work from home or work part-time or change your start and/or end times. You don’t have to wait till you’re retired to have some flexibility and to focus on meaningful things.
Yes I’m really lucky. Everyone else (besides my retired Mom) had to take time off to help. I’ll definitely remember that time more than any work nonsense.
Totally agree – flexibility is great and I think even necessary given our 24/7 work culture. If I’m expected to answer emails and have calls during the evening and most of the people I work with are on other continents being in an office doesn’t make a lot of sense. You’re completely right – we don’t have to wait until retirement to have the life we want. Thank you for stopping by!
FIRE is like a very calculated YOLO 😉. I totally get the part of it not being enough just to have the location flexibility, as work demands such a huge part of our energy in a day. Good on you for still trying to make the most of your days before you retire but so excited that day is getting closer for you.
I used to think about death a lot more before having kids, but had to dial it down once these little beings that depend on me came into this world. It would trigger my anxiety way too much! Still, it is a huge motivation for me to make the most of everyday and be mindful in all my choices. The overall impermanence of life is always such an important factor in how I spend my days. It helps me aim to make the most of the present with the people I love since, as you mention, there is no guarantee they will still be around and able bodied when I do reach FI!
I think you just wrote the new FIRE tagline 🙂 ! And yes location flexibility is amazing, but I can’t help but want even more freedom 😉 . The countdown continues!
That’s really interesting that you were able to dial back the death thoughts. I’m sorry it would trigger your anxiety – that sucks. I don’t think I get anxious about it personally – maybe that’s how I haven’t become an anxious ball by now 🙂 . Also you are killing it (pun intended) with the phrases today! This is amazing: “The overall impermanence of life is always such an important factor in how I spend my days.”
Yes, we don’t know when our time will be up. I have too much anxiety about sudden death or illness, but it is a source of motivation to live my best life now! Thanks for expressing these concerns so pointedly here.
I’m sorry it gives you anxiety, but am happy to hear you use it as motivation. Thanks so much for your kind words and for stopping by!
Tough topic but death is important to talk about. Keeping our mortality in mind can be a great motivator if we frame it that way. Thanks for sharing! And I recently put together an article on the funeral home industry (linked on name). It’s unfortunately a growing business. And many funeral homes are for-profit. So preparing for the inevitable can lower stress and save money for the loved ones you leave behind.
Death and money – two things that are important to talk about that people often don’t 🙂 . Thinking about death definitely helps keep me motivated and focused on making life great now and later – there’s no reason to be unhappy now for a future that might not happen. Thanks for the article! I had no idea some funeral homes were for-profit.
I think about death every day. I was in a horrible accident with my ex boyfriend and he died (the person I was with before I met my wife). Everyone blamed it on me and I still feel like it was my fault. I am so lucky I didn’t die and what happened to us completely flipped my life 180. It’s like I am living a second life now. This was 5 years ago and it still seems so strange to me. But I got this second chance for a reason…maybe (not to sound cheesy or cliche). Anyway I try not to waste a second of my life now!
That’s horrible – I’m so so sorry. I’m glad you’re not wasting a second of your ‘second’ life. Definitely a good lesson to take from tragedy. Thank you for sharing.
I am also SO sorry about your dad and your other close family members you lost at such a young age. <3
Thank you so much lady.
I routinely think not ony about death, but also about illness (I’m lots of fun at parties too). Now that I’m on the wrong side of forty, I’m noticing the early signs of old age, such as skin not as smooth and eyesight not as sharp as it used to be.
I still enjoy good health, but for how long I wonder? How many years of active, independent life have I left? This is one more reason to retire early, so I couldn’t agree more with you. Staring at my decrepit self in the mirror is a powerful motivator. 🙂
That’s a great point! Even if we’re not dead illness is a serious concern. Though I seriously doubt you are “decrepit” or “on the wrong side of forty” 😉 . Thank you for stopping by!
i spent a long weekend last week attending my father in law’s funeral. although it was obviously somber i got to see the extended family at least. a few of them are your age and have nothing on the ball or live a completely subsidized yuppie existence. i grew up differently and don’t know what the hell to make of some of it.
if i die tomorrow it’s been a good run. i’ve done a lot and loved a lot. the rest is gravy and that’s a good feeling.
I’m sorry for your loss. Sad to hear my peers don’t have their shit together. I must run in the wrong crowds because I don’t have any friends that live a subsidized existence…I guess I need to change crowds 😉 . But seriously, I don’t know what to make of it either. I’ve been told I’m a grandma in a young body so maybe that explains it?
Absolutely love your perspective here – the rest really is just gravy!
Daily death thinker here! It definitely impacts my decisions as well. You hadn’t shared that part about your dad before – just your failed camping trips with him. Glad you have some good memories of him even if he was only around for such a short time of your life ♥️
It sounds like we need to create a daily death thinker fan club…or support group… As for my father, it doesn’t usually come up in conversation strangely 😉 . The failed camping trip actually was with my stepdad, but I do have a few good memories of my father to fall back on.
Oh good, I’m glad it isn’t just me, pondering death and disaster as I throw money into my investments 😅 the point you brought up about soon-to-be-retirees slumping over at their desks is one of my biggest worries, hence the obsession with FI
Haha – yeah we might have discovered the ultimate motivator! As for soon-to-be-retirees dying – I would be legit pissed if that were me so let the obsession continue!!
Appreciate your perspective on this. While I didn’t lose mine as early as you did – my father passed after I graduated college. It was an awakening for me as well and I often contemplate mortality and “what’s next” more than (I think) the average person. I believe there is an after-life with my Maker so this also affects how I live here and now (I don’t view this as my “only shot” as there is something more awaiting me). But it does create that urgency you write about that I don’t want to work all my days – but be able to enjoy life, others and invest in projects for good.
I’m sorry about your father. It sounds like being around death relatively early in life forces us to ‘awaken’ as you say and internalize the reality of death. Great to hear this revelation gave you that urgency too! Thank you for stopping by.
Purple! I had no idea about your father, I’m so sorry to hear that 🙁 I try to be optimistic and not think about death too much; but when I do, it makes me think how time is the most valuable thing in life and constantly evaluate what I want to do during my limited time here. It gets me moving! Also Purple, thanks for welcoming/recommending me to the land of Twitter, I’m loving it so far and dunno why I joined so late 🙂
Thank you, but don’t worry – it was a long time ago 🙂 . I struggle with that balance (being optimistic/not thinking about death vs using the reality of death to fuel me). It sounds like you’ve found a good balance though and that’s awesome!! And YAY TWITTER! So glad you’re enjoying it. Personal finance twitter is a great place.
I’m sorry about your dad and I’m glad you were able to be there to help your uncle.
I don’t think about death too much. Too busy thinking about the worse case in life. Can only obsess over one of them at the moment. lol
Thank you lady. And oh my goodness – what kind of worst case scenarios?! Those seem scarier than death…
My worse cases are losing my job, losing our house, divorce, etc… They’re not even slight concerns, but yeah. I have a problem. lol
Yeeeah – how about I work on my death obsession and you work on focusing on things that are more likely to happen 😉 . Accountability buddies!
Death dominated my 20s and it’s always in the back of my mind. We lost so many parents and grandparents and friends in my circle that decade.
It didn’t make me want to retire earlier, that realization slowly came with the ever-present chronic illness but I can’t retire on a slim planned budget because I’m already broken – old age isn’t going to make me *healthier*!
Death made me push myself harder to be present however I could for the people I loved even if I couldn’t be there physically. Texting, emails, snail mail, I’m all over it. They will know they’re loved, dammit, even if I can only see them once a year or once every three years.
Wow – I’m sorry. That sounds like a really rough 20s. Having death be a motivator to make sure people know they are loved is an AMAZING lesson. Yes! I should adopt some of your methods. I’m currently too focused on in person time, which is rare given people’s wild schedules. I do love how text and video chat allow us to grow relationships even from afar. Time to buy some more stamps over here!
Thanks for opening up on this and being so vulnerable.
Death isn’t a topic ppl want to talk about. So unless you have the unpleasant experience to face it (either for yourself or for someone you know) you are probably thinking that you will leave until your life expectancy.
As for me, I almost died in my 20s after I lost control of the car I was driving and jump off a cliff. I won’t go I to the details on how it happened but I manage to make it out of the car with just some bruises on my chest thanks to my seat belt that literally saved my life that day. Upon exiting the car that was totally demolished, I definitely felt that I’ve got a second chance. On top of that I also had the unfortunate experience to loose a couple of family member around me way too early.
These events definitely shaped my perspective on life as I became an adult. Growing up in Europe has also contributed to put my priority of work/career way after my own happiness and prioritizing tile for my friends & family which also me to keep my sanity as I relocate to the US a few months before the recession hit the country.
This has definitely influenced me to retire early in life (as I did it with my wife in our mid-30s) and I definitely have no regret for that and everything that happened before.
Anytime 🙂 . You’re completely right that people seem to think they’ll live to their life expectancy… without realizing what those numbers actually mean.
I’m so sorry about your accident and your losses. I’m so glad you’re ok. Love the European perspective of putting work where it belongs 😉 . Happy to hear these thoughts helped drive you to FI – glad I’m not the only one thing morbid fuel to get there.
Since I wrote this pretty late at night (we are currently in Porto), beside the few typos I left, I forgot one important point I wanted to make regarding FI. We did not work towards getting FI just to make work optional and stop trading our precious time to get more money. We did it because both of us wanted to spend more time with our loves ones (especially our parents that might not be alive by the time we would have reach regular retirement) and also for doing the things that really do bring us joy and give us a sense of purpose.
That’s a great addition – at its core my drivers are the same. I want to spend time with the people I love and being tied to a laptop for at least 8 hours a day physically and countless hours emotionally doesn’t allow me to do that. Thank you for sharing!
Also sorry to hear about your dad, can’t be easy to reconcile at any age – especially that young. Anyway, you nailed it – we don’t know what’s ahead and should prioritize the important stuff now. I’m a fellow member of the death-thinker’s club (motto ideas? I vote “every day is a day closer to death”). It nudged me (and my partner) to go on a trip to Europe with and my folks 2 years go. While I was definitely ready to part ways by the end of the trip, I’m so glad we did it while they’re still in fairly good health.
My other frequent death ponderance is how to best plan for my final years as someone without kids and no siblings (e.g. an advocate to ensure I’m not getting taken advantage of). Not really any conclusion on that one yet. As I thought I recall reading, you’re in a similar camp (at least the no kids bit)? Is this something you dwelled on/have amazing Purple plans?
Thank you for saying that. And I love the club name and motto! All we need now is tshirts! So happy to hear thinking about this stuff gave y’all the nudge you needed to spend time with your parents when they’re healthy. And I hear you on being ready to separate after a while 😉 .
Great idea about creating a plan to not be taken advantage of! I am indeed in the same boat. No kids and no siblings. Previously my only decision was which charities to leave my fortune to 😉 , but I should probably give it more thought. Let me know what you conclude. No amazing Purple plans yet!
Ditto. We got wills prepared this year (and importantly, powers of attorney since my partner and I aren’t married) so at least that’s covered. Honestly, I feel like there’s a business opportunity here. Could sign an agreement where they’ll stop in with you once a week or something, make sure you’re not living in filth/etc, would fight with “the home”, etc. Short of a business, I feel like the only alternative is to rely upon a friend’s kid. Crazy burden, and can’t imagine asking that of anyone (stubbornly self-sufficient only child!)…even if I was close in their life.
Then again, maybe the zombie apocalypse or a meteor will make this moot! 🤷♂️😋
Smart! And there’s definitely a business opportunity there – get after it! I’m way too lazy 🙂 , but am excited to see your success. I’d hire that service in old age!…Though maybe by then we’ll have robots to do it 😉 . OR an apocalypse lol – totally plausible, but I’d prefer to have a plan just in case.
I love this post, and I can’t think of a better goal than answering with Absolutely.
I’m also a fellow death thinker, but also a life thinker. My family history is split pretty evenly with people who either die very young or live to be very old. So I feel like there should somehow be a way to enjoy every moment now AND plan for a distant future that may or may not happen.
I think making that the goal may be the trick.
Thank you – so glad you liked it!! That sounds like the perfect goal – at least for me it is a balancing act and I finally think I’ve found the happiest I can be now (working from home and spending more time with family that way) while also saving for the future I want. Thanks so much for stopping by!
I’m not a daily death thinker but when I do think about it I am gripped by the fear of what a short blip in time our life on earth is. Even if I live into my 90s I’ve “only” got another 60 years in total. Let’s say 40 of those in decent health if I’m lucky (and my family’s terrible genetics suggest otherwise).
It sounds like a lot, but I’m guessing most people in their 70s and older feel that life passed them by in a flash. I was reading your article yesterday at work and looking around my depressing office wondering why I am spending any of my precious years here.
I don’t believe in an afterlife. I think this is all we’ve got. So I don’t want to waste it. But on the other hand, the tricky business of needing money to survive gets in the way.
It’s a tricky balance to be sure and one I struggle with daily. That stupid needing money to eat thing is really annoying lol! Basic Income anyone? I think it’s a great lens to think about ‘able bodied’ years instead of just total years left – that’s really smart! If you find any secrets to having a good balance between now and later let me know because I’m always looking to improve there.
Yes, you’re pretty morbid…
A few of my coworkers died young. One guy had chronic back pain from an accident. He went in for a minor surgery and poof, he was gone. Life is short. Did I want to go out working a job I hated and being stressed out all the time? Heck no! I retired and I’m enjoying life while I’m young. Normally, I don’t think about death much. It won’t make any difference, why worry about it.
Haha thank you? I do love some dark humor. I’m sorry to hear about your coworkers. “It won’t make any difference, why worry about it”: I love this and wish my emotions would listen to such logic 🙂 . Thank you for stopping by!
Wow, APL! I am sorry to hear about your father and family. That must have been hard to deal with. I had my first experience with death a few years ago when my grandma, who I was really close with, passed away. I have also been in a place where I have those thoughts about not waking up before. It is scary to think about. But this is an excellent reason for FI. It is certainly one of the reasons I am chasing FI and looking at alternative lifestyle options. And I want to explore this gorgeous planet too. Awesome post as per usual! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you – it wasn’t easy for sure 🙂 . I’m so sorry about your grandma. It’s definitely scary to think about, but it seems important (for me) – I can imagine myself just drifting through life without a motivation to change because that’s basically who I was in NYC. These morbid thoughts do seem to help drive me. Yay for FI and exploring our planet! So so happy you enjoyed it – thank you for the kind words!!
So sorry for your losses especially your Dad at such a young age. I don’t think about death, maybe because that is permanent. I think about ill health and how I would cope with dealing with it all. My Mum has dementia so at the back of my mind, I always wonder if I too will suffer this. It makes me want to experience lots before it’s too late, whenever that may be.
Thank you for saying that. That’s interesting (and smarter) that you think about things we’ll actually experience (illness) instead of something we will not typically be aware of in the moment (death). I’m so sorry about your Mom. I hope so much that you won’t be in the same boat – it sounds like you have a plan regardless to live to the fullest.
This is a tough thing to think about, but so important. My mother-in-law died a year and a half ago, and I was very close to her – it just underscored for me that we can’t assume anyone will be around forever, including ourselves, and it makes the idea of working until 70 even scarier.
I’m so sorry for your loss. I’m with you though – people talk about how I must be ‘scared’ to quit my job with X in the bank, but I find the possibility of finally thinking I have ‘enough’ and looking up to see that the people I care about are gone is a much scarier thought.
Death should be normal table talk. It’s fascinating that some cultures fully accept and embrace death as part of the cycle but some avoid talking about it completely.
When I was growing up, death wasn’t talked about too often. But PikiMom and I both agree that in the family that we’re building here in NZ, it should just be normal especially since failure to prepare FOR death is a common cause for families to fight OR get into debt.
I completely agree. Death and money. That is a strange cultural difference to be sure. Because of the death in my upbringing it was a common topic of conversation. That’s so great you and PikiMom are making it a priority!! And that’s a great point showing how lack of death talk could lead to money worries…I feel a post coming out of this 🙂
Thinking about death was one of my drivers towards minimalism. Specifically, I don’t want to leave a messy heap of stuff for my family to sort through while they’re grieving. I sometimes picture my grown daughter sorting through my stuff and remembering “oh yeah Mom ALWAYS wore this pineapple tank top!” instead of “why the hell did Mom keep these holiday cards from people I’ve never met”.
That’s a wonderfully selfless perspective and a great reason to go towards minimalism! We keep so many things we really don’t need (myself included) – thinking of it this way might help me downsize even more – thank you!
I’m so late to the game on this post but I love it. I don’t think it’s morbid to think about the only thing we can be absolutely sure of in this world. I think about death a lot. In a strange way, it comforts me to know that we will all have the same end eventually (hopefully that doesn’t sound too weird). It’s kind of like, we’re all going to die anyway, we might as well try and enjoy the life we have while we can. That’s why the 9-5 (or longer) career path has always genuinely confused me. Like, I just don’t get why people would out up with all of that shit for the majority of their lives so they can maybe do what they actually want when they are in their 50s and 60s. I’m not on the FIRE path, but I’ve been trying to shape a life I want to live, with work that I want to do (that isn’t all consuming) for a couple of years. I haven’t cracked the code yet, but I hope to soon!
No such things as late to the game in this section of the internet 😉 . “I don’t think it’s morbid to think about the only thing we can be absolutely sure of in this world” – So true and well put!! I don’t think know we all end in the same place is weird at all – that’s an interesting angle to think about death through. I’m obviously with you about not getting the 9-to-5 grind until I’m old and can hopefully do what I want mindset, but from what I’ve observed it seems like that’s the case for people because they don’t stop and think about it. I was caught in that spiral myself for the first 3 or so years of my career. You follow the life script people tell you without question. Anyway, so glad you’re working on cracking the code and creating a life you want now!!
It is true that we have finite time on this earth. However, focusing and looking at death as a motivation to move to something is not a healthy strategy long term.
Once you have cross the FI mile marker, take the well earned free time to find the one passion that fits you and deeply immerse yourself into it.
If you are successful – you don’t even know when death is around the corner!
Interesting perspective. I’ve already found several passions in my life that luckily work together and help create this website. I’ll be continuing them in retirement.
Yesterday I read an obituary for a former neighbor who was my kids’ teacher, coach etc. He was very fit and always exercising – he would pass our house like clockwork on his daily walks. He retired from teaching at age 55 and moved to Martha’s Vineyard (his dream according to his obituary). He died at age 69. Imagine if he had worked to age 65 or later.
I don’t think about death regularly until I see something like that – then it hits home, so to speak.
Wow – I’m sorry to hear that. You’re completely right – if he had worked until 65 or 67 as generations are being told now he would have had so little time. I’m happy to hear these morbid thoughts aren’t always with you. Maybe I’ll look into taking a page from your book 🙂 .
Hi there, long time reader, first time commenter. I’ve never commented before but this post pushed me over the edge to action. WE DO NOT TALK ABOUT DEATH ENOUGH! Such a great point to make and I’m so happy you made it and think about it!
I am a hospital social worker and I can not tell you how many situations where I have been assisting in the end of life arrangements of a loved one and people are so lost. Would they want a feeding tube, would they want all measures taken if they could never walk again, would they want this intervention/that procedure, or would they want to die “naturally” etc. Just filling out a POA or Health Care Representation/HCR means nothing if you don’t tell that person what your wishes are! Even if you can’t talk it out, write it down and let that designated person know where it is (google “five wishes” if you want to complete one of these yourself; it’s a great resource). Next time you visit your doctor, any doctor at all, give them a copy of your advance directives (POA, HCR, living will) so it is on file with as many healthcare systems as possible. This ensures even if you arrive unresponsive with no family, your wishes will be taken into account. Some of the hardest conversations of my professional career were telling Daughter that we had done chest compressions, intubated, and mechanically left alive Mother because we didn’t have her “no intubation/no mechanical intervention” wishes on file. Such sad news to break! There’s no amount of apologizing that can right that wrong.
Any 3rd grader will tell you everybody poops, well, everyone dies too! Let’s talk about death and how we want to die!!
Off topic comment: Manic panic purple from Hot Topic got me through high school 🙂 Props to the purple people!
Hi Cat – Thanks so much for commenting! Reading them make my day 🙂 . Completely agree we don’t talk about death enough. That part of your job sounds really rough.
I’ll definitely look up “five wishes” and give my doctor a copy of my advance directives after I make them. Thank you so much for pointing out steps we should all be taking now. It’s like you wrote Part 2 of this post for me 😉 .
“Any 3rd grader will tell you everybody poops, well, everyone dies too! Let’s talk about death and how we want to die!!” Please write the follow up book “Everybody dies” – I would buy it in bulk. So happy to hear Manic Panic purple got you through high school. High five purple person!! Thanks so much for stopping by 🙂
found this post linked from another post, covid and reflections on life pushing me to focus on FI. I’m close because as a single parent I expected to provide for myself. I received an inheritance and lawsuit settlement from my Dad’s death which I just put away; yucky blood money (financial advisor said most folks spend through their inheritance within 8 years). I also figured that I would have to take care of my finances myself and didn’t want to be dependent on my only child because he would likely have to take care of his Dad but when our son was 21, he lost his Dad just like yours. It’s so important to talk about death, I recommend the Art of Dying Well by Katie Butler. I’d totally be up for joining the death thinker club. I suppose I’m at the age where some of my peers are starting to die from cancer and etc.
Completely agree that it’s important to talk about and that’s awesome you’re taking it into your hands. I’ll look up that book – thank you! I was just thinking I should read more books about death actually (not joking at all) 🙂 . And the club is growing!
Thanks a lot for this post!
To share a different perspective: I’ve been thinking about death a lot, generally in the context of trying to bring meaning to my life, but instead of motivating me it makes me feel more hopeless ^^’ (i.e. “why try anything if I’m going to be dead and forgotten 100 years from now?”).
Would you happen to have any tips on how not to get depressed/hopeless when thinking about death? How do you turn it into motivation to make your life (more) awesome instead?
Thank you for reading it 🙂 . And that’s interesting – I haven’t had that issue yet myself. I don’t personally care if anyone remembers me in 100 years 🙂 . However, if that’s a goal of yours maybe figure out how to make it happen? I personally see my inevitable death as a ticking clock that I want to savor every minute of and that’s what motivates me to do everything I can and want now. I wish I could help more and I hope you find what you’re looking for 🙂 .
Just discovered your site & I love everything about it! I’ve thought about the tragic ending to all our lives since I was a teenager. Now at 33, I feel an urgency to not only retire early but focus all my time on myself & the people who value it. Sometimes the people you love don’t value your time as they should & as tough as it is….you gotta restrict their access to your time while continuing to love them. Looking forward to reading the rest of these!
Thank you for reading 🙂 . I’m glad I’m not the only one to have that feeling – though it’s a difficult feeling to have to be sure. That’s a great revelation about restricting time for those that don’t value you. That’s incredibly important to me as well 🙂 .