A Tough Question I Ask Myself Weekly (And Why)

I spend a fair amount of time thinking about death and its meaning.

It all started with my book about midlife crisis. But it also feels like during the last few years life has reminded me of mortality much more often than before.

It’s not comfortable. Just like Irvin Yalom says:

“It’s not easy to live every moment wholly aware of death. It’s like trying to stare the sun in the face: you can stand only so much of it.”

To make something useful out of those thoughts, as part of my weekly planning I ask myself:

What would I do this week if I had only one year left?

I like this question for a few reasons:

• Reason #1: it reminds me that I am a mortal being and helps to stay focused on what’s truly important
• Reason #2: it gives me the courage and confidence to pursue my wildest dreams
• Reason #3: it makes me almost immune to other people’s opinions and fake goals

Don’t get me wrong, I am a normal human being. To overcome death anxiety I keep reminding myself:

“The more unlived your life, the greater your death anxiety”. — Irvin Yalom

What’s your take on this? Did you find your own way to remind yourself of mortality in a healthy way?