Having a positive mindset about death can actually work to help you live your life to its fullest. Death is simply a fact of life. Though it typically comes with grief and even other negative emotions like guilt and anger, it is unavoidable. Your own death is unavoidable. Living well and doing your best to stay healthy absolutely improves your chances of living a long life, but it’s only once you foster a more positive relationship with and mindset about death as a concept that you can really start living a richer, more fulfilling life.
If you find yourself frozen with grief or fear about your own death or the death of a loved one, then use these tips to help you overcome that fear and better prepare.
Plan Your Funeral with Your Loved Ones in Mind
Everyone, at every age, has a preference. Some want to be buried next to their family; others want to be cremated. Some want to be scattered to the wind; others want to be buried in such a way that a tree will grow where they were buried. Even when you are young and don’t seriously think your end is coming up, we all have ideas. The older we get, however, the more important it is to plan your final funeral arrangements. When doing this, always put your loved ones at the forefront of your considerations. One of the kindest things you can do for your loved ones as you get on in your years is to plan out and finance your funeral arrangements. This can mean going to Commemorative Cremation Urns and picking out the urn or arrangement you want and then creating a plan for your loved ones to follow. It could mean reserving the burial spot at the cemetery. Planning your funeral gives you some control over the end and, most importantly, can help you be there for your loved ones after you pass on.
Start Valuing Your Time
One of the best ways to improve your mindset about death is to start living with a greater value for your time. Living like tomorrow is your last day is an extreme example, but it is a good one to consider. You don’t need to do absolutely everything in one day, but you should aim to do more of the things you want in your day. Prioritize time with your loved ones above all.
Leave a Legacy
Living on after we die is a very common drive that many of us share. It is at the core of your biological drive, but what our legacy is can vary from our children to a book we published to something we made. Leaving a legacy has to mean something to you. It doesn’t matter if your boss thinks you are the best employee if that is not something that you are equally proud of accomplishing.
Think about your accomplishments and what you want to get done. Many of us are not scared of dying itself but of not having enough time. Between spending more time with those we care about most and more time reaching at least one big goal, you can staunch your fear of death. Life always beats out death, so live bigger, louder, and better.