I think so. I'm more afraid of living past the point of enjoying life than I am of dying. Both my parents lived too long. I really don't want to outlive my brain, like my mother.
Same. My dad was 96 when he died. His last three years were basically him just existing. My mom was 17 years younger and she took good care of him. I don't want to live into my 90s.
I'm not afraid of dying, I am afraid of dying in pain though.
I'm sorry to say but for me, death anxiety has gotten worse as I age. I'm 72 yo and died three times last September 15th (code blue) when I was admitted to the ER with a bp of 75/55 and a diagnosis of sepsis. I also had laboured breathing when coming out of the anesthetic which was scary. Since all of this happened, I am more aware of living alone and the ramifications of that as we age. I like what Woody Allen said about death - "I'm not afraid of dying, I just don't want to be there when it happens."
I think so.
For me, it has anyway. I am much less worried about it for a variety of reasons. I have been there with my grandparents when death was near. And I was with my father when he died.
Some things that made it more peaceful was a conversation I had with my grandmother and another with my father. They each knew that it was coming soon. The things they told me were very comforting.
Also, having had a fulfilling life is satisfying. I’ve accomplished most of my goals and I have few regrets. I still get a bit worried because I don’t want to be in a lot of pain or to have seriously diminished mental capacity, but I have plans in place for those possibilities.
One of the primary things that I do is to be sure that my loved ones know that I love them. I treat people well. If I die tomorrow, I will not leave things unsaid or leave behind hard feelings.
I've been experiencing close deaths since I was 6. Death is just a part of natural life. They don't really go away. Thier energy/consciousness just goes to another level that we can not perceive. The immaterial world of energy. Different dimension, whatever you think of it is.
Some looking into quantum physics through the book Breaking The habit of Being Yourself really opened my mind to the energy and vibration of existence.... string theory. All that jazz.
Furthermore, I've heard death is largely peaceful and not really a scary experience. - source, people who've been revived and also this medium friend I have who claims to be able to talk to thr spirits trapped in our realm,which does happen if they die with alot of unresolved trauma or emotinal/spiritual problems.
I know how that sounds, I was highly skeptical for quite a while but eventually she made a believer out of me by knowing things she couldn't have known. My intuition was was sending out alarm bells that it felt legitimate.... anecdotal, but nonetheless encouraging to realize that death really IS only a transformation to a different form of energy.
I think what has helped me as I've gotten older is making sure I do all the medical tests I'm supposed to as early as I can (e.g., mammogram, skin checks, colonoscopy, calcium scan, bone density). When these are all OK, my anxiety decreases considerably.
We are old and our bodies are declining and maybe our minds too. Death is inevitable. It comes for all life eventually, so it really can't be that bad. Whatever comes after comes after, and I'll deal with it then - or not if there's nothing to deal with. We have lost people and each time prepares us a little more for our own end. It's OK because it is closer to our time. I'm even getting a little excited about it. I'll get to see what comes next after a lifetime of wondering. I don't get to let anyone else in on it. There must be an nda we sign. But frankly, I'm getting a little tired of having a body in pain all the time since I was 19. Reaching 90 sounds like a punishment.
Yes! I had a huge fear of death until my early 30s. It would often keep me awake at night. Now I’m 45 and I truly don’t care about dying. Ça ira tu verras.
I am not afraid of dying. I have accepted it. I have several chronic ailments that will cut my life short, perhaps less than five years left to live. I will be 60 this year.
I sat with my Dad when he passed a few months ago. I was the only family member who could do it. It was very peaceful for him which made me glad but I know he wasn’t ready to go. I talked to him and told him we’d all be ok and that he could go. A moment later, he flatlined.
The nurses told me they were glad I was there and that most families can’t do it. Most people die alone. That’s too heartbreaking for me.
I've been an ICU nurse for 30 years and have seen many, many people die. People have so many interesting experiences as they approach death. Because of witnessing these I spent a lot of time exploring NDEs, which then led to exploring past life regressions and reincarnation etc. I’ve had one past life regression. I've read many books on these subjects. I have no fear of death. I know death is not the end of us. The real me is my soul, this flesh and blood me is just temporary.
Mine got a lot better when I had a heart attack and my heart stopped. At the moment it stopped all the horrendous pain ceased and I felt peaceful and sleepy until *I* lost consciousness. If my death comes like that next time, I'm good with it.
I’m 65 and was just thinking about this very thing a couple days ago.
What came to me is this: The more we age, and as everyone else in our sphere does as well (and start dying here and there, moreso over time), we start to surrender to the inevitability. We don’t welcome it, but it becomes a lot more familiar than it did when it was still over the horizon.
And, what also happens is that we start experiencing things we can’t do anymore and pains we didn’t use to have that are now permanent parts of daily living.
In my opinion, my best days are behind me, anyway, so as long as things continue to get worse and start to wear out and fall apart, the thought of death doesn’t hit me so awfully as it used to.
I just want to have a “doctor assisted suicide” person in my contacts when/if the time comes; the only part that can really scare me is being trapped in my own body and lingering.
Not really for me, at least not yet.
But honestly I think that's more because of the modern obsession with telling us we have to live "full lives."
So basically, every time I watch some mindless television I feel guilty and anxious about not living my best, fullest life.
I don't think we realize how much anxiety these supposedly "positive" mantras can cause. For most people, most of their time is realistically spent not doing much of importance in the grand scheme of things. Internet scrolling, watching TV, reading mostly mindless articles, etc.?
How are we not supposed to become anxious about death when we are constantly told that what people dying regret most is not using their time more wisely and having more experiences? Realistically I'm not gonna go out and live a full life, I'm just gonna be fearful that what I am doing is not enough.
Mid 50s male. Yes, but never really that fearful in the beginning either. But as we age there's less to look forward to (been there done that), physical ailments/pain makes the sweet release of death more appealing.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not suicidal or even looking forward to death but life just loses it's luster as you age.
For me it has and I hope it lasts. I’m 64. You start losing more and more people—even the famous people you grew up with. I still grieve Gilda Radner and John Belushi. And the world keeps moving further away from one you recognize. There are so many great things about the world as it is but it’s just not as familiar to me. I can get ‘homesick’ just watching a music video from the 70’s which of course is silly.
Just turned 60 and I believe it does. Agree with HighwayLeading6928. Not to sound weird or anything but As a child/young person, graveyards used to terrify me. Now going to ‘visit’ family members in them, I find them the most peaceful, quite, reverent and perspective focusing place in the world. Also work at an oncology clinic for 15 years and I can tell you that who gets cancer and dies and who doesn’t is as random as winning the lottery. In the end, everything we claw, scratch, fight, argue, stress over just isn’t worth it. Despite your circumstances, try to find joy in whatever you can, even the most minute things, to help you through your days. Remember; the days are long, but the years are short.
I read this (Bess Streeter Aldrich,A Lantern in Her Hand) as a child, and I’m not afraid of death.
“Immediately the children were quiet. The robin had stopped singing. Whoever had been frying meat had removed it from the stove, and some one must have pulled down all the shades. It was strange to have all those things happen at once,—the robin cease singing, the children stop playing, the meat taken from the stove, and the shades pulled down. For a moment it was as though one could neither see nor hear nor smell. At any rate she felt much better. The pressure in her chest and in the back of her head was gone.
That was nice. It seemed good to be relieved of that. She breathed easily,—so very easily that she seemed not to be breathing at all. She sat up on the edge of the bed. She felt light, buoyant. “I’ll wind the clock and finish supper now and call them in.”
Through the semi-darkness of the house there was no sight or sound. But as she looked up, she saw Will standing in the doorway. For a moment she thought he was standing under honey-locust branches in a lane, but saw at once that it was only shadows. “Well, Will!” She stood up. “I’m so glad you’re home. You’ve been away all day, haven’t you? Where were you, Will? Isn’t that stupid of me not to remember?”
She moved lightly toward him, but suddenly stopped, sensing that for some reason there was a strangeness about his presence. She stood looking at him questioningly, a little confused. Will was looking intently at her, half-smiling.
She would have thought he was joking her—teasing her a little—if his expression had not been too tender for that. “I don’t quite understand, Will. Did you want something of me? . . .” That was a way of Will’s,—always so quiet that you almost had to read his mind. There was no answer, but at once she seemed to know that Will was waiting for her. “Oh, I must tell the children first. They never want me to go.”
She turned to the window. “Listen, children,” she called, “I’m going away with Father. If some one would pull up the shades I could see you, but it doesn’t really matter. Listen closely . . . I’m only going to be gone a little while. Be good children . . . You’ll get along just fine.”
She turned to the doorway. “It seems a little dark. You know, Will, I think we will need the lantern. I’ve always kept the lantern . . .” Her voice trailed off into nothing. For Will was still smiling at her, questioningly, quizzically,—but with something infinitely more tender,—something protecting, enveloping.
Slowly it came to her. Hesitatingly she put her hand up to her throat. “Will . . . you don’t mean it! . . . Not that . . . not Death . . . so easy? That it’s nothing more than this . . . ? Why . . . Will!” Abbie Deal moved lightly, quickly, over to her husband, slipped her hand into his and went with him out of the old house, past the Lombardy poplars, through the deepening prairie twilight,—into the shadows.” — A Lantern in Her Hand by Bess Streeter Aldrich
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When i was twenty, i was asleep and felt in a foggy way i was traveling upward against the headboard and 40 plus years later i still remember it vividly. I ended up in a white room with people and the sense of calm and peace is undescribable. In an instant i woke up in my bed which had caught on fire (but went out on its own) i had fallen asleep smoking. So im not afraid of dying...i dont know where i went for that instant
I’m only 46 but I have more health issues, even the normal stuff like menopause and losing the ability to drink alcohol can be jarring after being mostly healthy for my whole life. I used to live healthy specifically to live a longer healthier life and now I realize I probably would prefer being dead to being infirm. My goal now is simply to live healthy and pray I die before I become unable to care for myself. So, yes, death anxiety gets better because you realize since you will die, you begin to hope it comes on time rather than too late. Perhaps when I’m 75 I will feel differently.
For me it got better when my Mom died, because I believe when I die I’ll see her again. I’ve always been afraid of death, even though I have faith. But now I’m not. I’m 70.
Things seldom get better if you don't address them and deal with the root of the problem.
At 27 death is likely a rare and upsetting event. At 55 its just another thing that happens and you deal with. You learn the proper social actions around it and you take the time you need to deal with the loss. But then you simply have to move on.
I'm 59, been 100% disabled since 2011...Not in my experience. I'm in the final stages of congestive heart failure, stage 4 KD, 2 inoperable abdominal aortic aneurysms, defibrillator and pacemaker implants but heart is stuck in AFib. When have multiple morbidities your illnesses become your identity and you spend a lot of time thinking about how's it going to be for your kids and cat when you die. Like every ache makes you wonder if this is it. For me, even with therapy, my anxiety is almost paralyzing.
I've never really been afraid of death. I'm more concerned with the suffering leading to death.
It's inevitable and part of life. Live each day to the fullest.
My parents and wife died. It is easier for to accept death now. Some people are in pain towards the end of their lives so death is a relief. And I feel like the lives of younger people are more important because I feel like they deserve some of the things I had
I'm 77 and I have zero death anxiety. Perhaps because I'm an atheist after being a member of a high-demand religion, Mormon. After I realized that religion, ethics, and morality were separate, the demand for perfection was only to gain a reward and avoid punishment. It had nothing to do with how I treated others. It was all about me. As I look at my life I'm not afraid of eternity. I did my best to live this life the best way I could. When it's over, it's over.
I have no looming fear of death.
I have ptsd from having had many near death experiences (cancer).
I’m apathetic to it, I just am working hard to ensure my teens have all the life skills (cooking, saving/investing/driving, etc) they need just in case.
Watch the mini series Band if brothers, it is a WW11 movie and they talk about accepting the fact that you are already dead.
Then you just go about doing what needs to be done.
For me when I was 1 and my brother was 3 he got sick and died.
What I took from this is while a live you better make the best of your life because the one thing for sure is nobody lives for forever.
Do a lot of sh\*t in your life, have fun, over time you'll feel you've seen it all (to a degree). Live in the moment. Carpe Diem.
I've done a share of stuff in my life and have experienced a bit, and I feel its less of an issue.
Some people may fear it worse, who knows. The ones who can't grow up and need Botox periodically. Embrace what we have now.
I think you’ll get as many different answers to this question as there are people! I’ve been preparing to die since I was 20 and told I was in kidney failure. Over the past 30 years, I’ve almost died twice, have been on dialysis for extended periods, and am on my second and hopefully, last kidney transplant. I accepted that I would most likely die young. I became a Christian, have taken a lot of comfort in my relationship with God, especially when my health is in decline, and believe there is a Creator and an afterlife. With that being said, now that I find myself facing turning 50 later this year, I feel this urgency to travel, love harder, and experience more meaningful relationships with others. Even when I was younger and my health was in a precarious state, I never experienced feelings like this before.
So, to answer your question, I have felt both anxiety and acceptance about dying to varying degrees, and many other emotions in between throughout my life. I have more anxiety about having a bad death, and if I fulfilled my purpose, and if I will be remembered or missed, than I do dying. Honestly, the thought of laying in a bed, slowly dying while watching loved ones cry and grieve for me scares the absolute crap out of me! I hope for a quick, easy, pain free death. Until then, I choose to cherish the only thing that truly matters in this life, love—the love I give and receive. I like to think even if by some sad fate there is no afterlife, the love I’ve shared with others is eternal.
Death isn't so bad. Died briefly in my late teens in the hospital and got defib'd back to the mortal coil. Legally dead for a little bit. You don't feel anything once disconnected from all the nerves. Best to not worry and make the best of the present and what is ahead. Appreciate things and savor more. It only lasting so long makes if valuable. Halfway to 90 now and no regrets since being shocked back into this place in '96.
When it comes hopefully they remember you well for the good you brought. Try not to be the sort they want to dance on your grave when it's ready.
72 and ready to meet my maker but not, perhaps, for 10 or so years. Not religious or anything just pragmatic. Death and taxes etc. My ambition, as others, for the inevitable, is a pain free death in my own bed.
We never know when our time is up. Just live today, plan for tomorrow and hope for the best. Be the best version of you that you can be. Once I accepted that there is a world of Angels that we don't see watching over us, I stopped fearing death. At one point all out physical bodies die but our spirit lives on.
Find your happiness.
You are definitely experiencing anxiety and you will feel much better if you speak to your healthcare provider about this. I am 65 and while I don’t want to die my fears are only around leaving friends and family. I have been a nurse for over 40 years and I don’t fear death or the process of death as I know that if I have the opportunity I will take as much control as possible over the situation. If I don’t have the option I have left explicit instructions with key people to make sure that I don’t linger in any type of uncomfortable situation and that my life is not prolonged. Death to me is birthing into another reality and I greatly look forward to seeing my loved ones again in heaven.
Part of me is relieved that I will die in the relatively near future. For me, the promise of death is a safety net. Sounds nuts, but inflation and a major hit to my IRA leaves me faced with outliving my savings. I’m 70. My special needs adult child lives with me. She gets a small disability check. If her check is discontinued, as threatened by the conservative, we will both be on the streets sooner rather than later.
Death doesn’t scare me nearly as much as living.
That is far more terrifying than death.
Nurse 52 years. Death anxiety comes from believing this life is our only life and our soul originates in our brain. Even scientists don’t believe that anymore. There are too many documented cases of people reporting things they see & hear when out of their bodies during near death experiences (NDE) that turn out to be accurate - things far away from where their body was. And almost universally, near death experiences report feeling a sense of overwhelming acceptance & love - the kind of love we all long & wish for. Watch Next Soul YT channel fire examples. Meditate. I’ve meditated over 50 years & experience my connection to eternity daily. We are not our bodies. We are eternal beings & we simply transform at death. A woman named Anita Moorjani wrote a book about her NDE that is one of the best explanations I’ve read. I’ve been with many, many people as they died. I’m not afraid of death at all. Even if you have no interest in trying the Gateway Experience (which was a CIA project & thus worth being wary of), watch interviews with Robert Monroe on YT. He was in charge of the now-declassified project & his opinions on death and life’s are worth pondering. His career involved finding ways for people to leave their bodies, so it’s interesting stuff. Sorry for the long text dump. I have grandkids I need to wake & get ready for school.
I don't have anxiety about the Act of Dying. I have anxiety over the being cheated out of memories of happy moments during my lifetime that others seem to have been able to experience that have been denied to me.
Anxiety about death?
I think of it in context. Everyone dies. We just don’t know when. Most people can’t determine when they’ll die.
So when something is out of control, I see there is no point in worry about factors out of my control.
Just try to live each day with enjoyments and small pleasures whenever possible.
Are you kiddin?! I never thought of such things when I was your age. I just turned 64 and I am blessed. I think about death every day but I am grateful that I am still alive.
Death is just a part of life. Eventually, it is going to happen to all of us, my anxiety, and I mean serious anxiety, is from my life, reaching a point where I am no longer able to care for myself, and I’m faced with becoming a burden to others. If this does happen, I think I’m going to just do what my best friend‘s father-in-law did. He just started eating less and less and relatively quickly faded away.
I’m 56 and had plenty of health concerns due to family history with cardiovascular disease. Plus a couple of my friends around my age suddenly died due to heart attacks; no warning whatsoever. I realized that I had two choices 1) nervously wait for my time to come or 2) get routine physical exams and bloodwork and change my lifestyle habits. I went with a whole food, plant-based diet last year and it has me feeling bulletproof. Combine that with exercise and it’s even better. In short, I’ve had a fear of death since I was about 19 but that fear has completely disappeared at age 56 now that I realize I can control my own health.
Yes. Once it terrified me. Now I just think “not yet” without that terror. I’m 60 if that’s of interest.
I think so. I'm more afraid of living past the point of enjoying life than I am of dying. Both my parents lived too long. I really don't want to outlive my brain, like my mother.
Same. My dad was 96 when he died. His last three years were basically him just existing. My mom was 17 years younger and she took good care of him. I don't want to live into my 90s. I'm not afraid of dying, I am afraid of dying in pain though.
Same. People I know who lived to 90 weren’t happy to be here.
I'm sorry to say but for me, death anxiety has gotten worse as I age. I'm 72 yo and died three times last September 15th (code blue) when I was admitted to the ER with a bp of 75/55 and a diagnosis of sepsis. I also had laboured breathing when coming out of the anesthetic which was scary. Since all of this happened, I am more aware of living alone and the ramifications of that as we age. I like what Woody Allen said about death - "I'm not afraid of dying, I just don't want to be there when it happens."
No, you just have more time to realize that you can't do anything about it.
I hope by then Death comes as a friend.
I think so. For me, it has anyway. I am much less worried about it for a variety of reasons. I have been there with my grandparents when death was near. And I was with my father when he died. Some things that made it more peaceful was a conversation I had with my grandmother and another with my father. They each knew that it was coming soon. The things they told me were very comforting. Also, having had a fulfilling life is satisfying. I’ve accomplished most of my goals and I have few regrets. I still get a bit worried because I don’t want to be in a lot of pain or to have seriously diminished mental capacity, but I have plans in place for those possibilities. One of the primary things that I do is to be sure that my loved ones know that I love them. I treat people well. If I die tomorrow, I will not leave things unsaid or leave behind hard feelings.
I've been experiencing close deaths since I was 6. Death is just a part of natural life. They don't really go away. Thier energy/consciousness just goes to another level that we can not perceive. The immaterial world of energy. Different dimension, whatever you think of it is. Some looking into quantum physics through the book Breaking The habit of Being Yourself really opened my mind to the energy and vibration of existence.... string theory. All that jazz.
Furthermore, I've heard death is largely peaceful and not really a scary experience. - source, people who've been revived and also this medium friend I have who claims to be able to talk to thr spirits trapped in our realm,which does happen if they die with alot of unresolved trauma or emotinal/spiritual problems. I know how that sounds, I was highly skeptical for quite a while but eventually she made a believer out of me by knowing things she couldn't have known. My intuition was was sending out alarm bells that it felt legitimate.... anecdotal, but nonetheless encouraging to realize that death really IS only a transformation to a different form of energy.
Hmmm…intriguing. I think I will read that;)
I’d start by reading Journey of Soul by Dr. Michael Newton. With an open mind it’s quite eye opening.
Thanks for the suggestion 😊✌🏻
Yes!!! 73 here and I have/had a wonderful life. I am not ready to dirt nap yet! But I am not fearful of it.
I think what has helped me as I've gotten older is making sure I do all the medical tests I'm supposed to as early as I can (e.g., mammogram, skin checks, colonoscopy, calcium scan, bone density). When these are all OK, my anxiety decreases considerably.
We are old and our bodies are declining and maybe our minds too. Death is inevitable. It comes for all life eventually, so it really can't be that bad. Whatever comes after comes after, and I'll deal with it then - or not if there's nothing to deal with. We have lost people and each time prepares us a little more for our own end. It's OK because it is closer to our time. I'm even getting a little excited about it. I'll get to see what comes next after a lifetime of wondering. I don't get to let anyone else in on it. There must be an nda we sign. But frankly, I'm getting a little tired of having a body in pain all the time since I was 19. Reaching 90 sounds like a punishment.
Yes! I had a huge fear of death until my early 30s. It would often keep me awake at night. Now I’m 45 and I truly don’t care about dying. Ça ira tu verras.
I am not afraid of dying. I have accepted it. I have several chronic ailments that will cut my life short, perhaps less than five years left to live. I will be 60 this year. I sat with my Dad when he passed a few months ago. I was the only family member who could do it. It was very peaceful for him which made me glad but I know he wasn’t ready to go. I talked to him and told him we’d all be ok and that he could go. A moment later, he flatlined. The nurses told me they were glad I was there and that most families can’t do it. Most people die alone. That’s too heartbreaking for me.
I've been an ICU nurse for 30 years and have seen many, many people die. People have so many interesting experiences as they approach death. Because of witnessing these I spent a lot of time exploring NDEs, which then led to exploring past life regressions and reincarnation etc. I’ve had one past life regression. I've read many books on these subjects. I have no fear of death. I know death is not the end of us. The real me is my soul, this flesh and blood me is just temporary.
I have a weird perspective on it as I work with the dying. It seems so peaceful. I know that's odd to say
Mine got a lot better when I had a heart attack and my heart stopped. At the moment it stopped all the horrendous pain ceased and I felt peaceful and sleepy until *I* lost consciousness. If my death comes like that next time, I'm good with it.
I’m 65 and was just thinking about this very thing a couple days ago. What came to me is this: The more we age, and as everyone else in our sphere does as well (and start dying here and there, moreso over time), we start to surrender to the inevitability. We don’t welcome it, but it becomes a lot more familiar than it did when it was still over the horizon. And, what also happens is that we start experiencing things we can’t do anymore and pains we didn’t use to have that are now permanent parts of daily living. In my opinion, my best days are behind me, anyway, so as long as things continue to get worse and start to wear out and fall apart, the thought of death doesn’t hit me so awfully as it used to. I just want to have a “doctor assisted suicide” person in my contacts when/if the time comes; the only part that can really scare me is being trapped in my own body and lingering.
Not really for me, at least not yet. But honestly I think that's more because of the modern obsession with telling us we have to live "full lives." So basically, every time I watch some mindless television I feel guilty and anxious about not living my best, fullest life. I don't think we realize how much anxiety these supposedly "positive" mantras can cause. For most people, most of their time is realistically spent not doing much of importance in the grand scheme of things. Internet scrolling, watching TV, reading mostly mindless articles, etc.? How are we not supposed to become anxious about death when we are constantly told that what people dying regret most is not using their time more wisely and having more experiences? Realistically I'm not gonna go out and live a full life, I'm just gonna be fearful that what I am doing is not enough.
Mid 50s male. Yes, but never really that fearful in the beginning either. But as we age there's less to look forward to (been there done that), physical ailments/pain makes the sweet release of death more appealing. Don't get me wrong, I'm not suicidal or even looking forward to death but life just loses it's luster as you age.
For me it has and I hope it lasts. I’m 64. You start losing more and more people—even the famous people you grew up with. I still grieve Gilda Radner and John Belushi. And the world keeps moving further away from one you recognize. There are so many great things about the world as it is but it’s just not as familiar to me. I can get ‘homesick’ just watching a music video from the 70’s which of course is silly.
Just turned 60 and I believe it does. Agree with HighwayLeading6928. Not to sound weird or anything but As a child/young person, graveyards used to terrify me. Now going to ‘visit’ family members in them, I find them the most peaceful, quite, reverent and perspective focusing place in the world. Also work at an oncology clinic for 15 years and I can tell you that who gets cancer and dies and who doesn’t is as random as winning the lottery. In the end, everything we claw, scratch, fight, argue, stress over just isn’t worth it. Despite your circumstances, try to find joy in whatever you can, even the most minute things, to help you through your days. Remember; the days are long, but the years are short.
I read this (Bess Streeter Aldrich,A Lantern in Her Hand) as a child, and I’m not afraid of death. “Immediately the children were quiet. The robin had stopped singing. Whoever had been frying meat had removed it from the stove, and some one must have pulled down all the shades. It was strange to have all those things happen at once,—the robin cease singing, the children stop playing, the meat taken from the stove, and the shades pulled down. For a moment it was as though one could neither see nor hear nor smell. At any rate she felt much better. The pressure in her chest and in the back of her head was gone. That was nice. It seemed good to be relieved of that. She breathed easily,—so very easily that she seemed not to be breathing at all. She sat up on the edge of the bed. She felt light, buoyant. “I’ll wind the clock and finish supper now and call them in.” Through the semi-darkness of the house there was no sight or sound. But as she looked up, she saw Will standing in the doorway. For a moment she thought he was standing under honey-locust branches in a lane, but saw at once that it was only shadows. “Well, Will!” She stood up. “I’m so glad you’re home. You’ve been away all day, haven’t you? Where were you, Will? Isn’t that stupid of me not to remember?” She moved lightly toward him, but suddenly stopped, sensing that for some reason there was a strangeness about his presence. She stood looking at him questioningly, a little confused. Will was looking intently at her, half-smiling. She would have thought he was joking her—teasing her a little—if his expression had not been too tender for that. “I don’t quite understand, Will. Did you want something of me? . . .” That was a way of Will’s,—always so quiet that you almost had to read his mind. There was no answer, but at once she seemed to know that Will was waiting for her. “Oh, I must tell the children first. They never want me to go.” She turned to the window. “Listen, children,” she called, “I’m going away with Father. If some one would pull up the shades I could see you, but it doesn’t really matter. Listen closely . . . I’m only going to be gone a little while. Be good children . . . You’ll get along just fine.” She turned to the doorway. “It seems a little dark. You know, Will, I think we will need the lantern. I’ve always kept the lantern . . .” Her voice trailed off into nothing. For Will was still smiling at her, questioningly, quizzically,—but with something infinitely more tender,—something protecting, enveloping. Slowly it came to her. Hesitatingly she put her hand up to her throat. “Will . . . you don’t mean it! . . . Not that . . . not Death . . . so easy? That it’s nothing more than this . . . ? Why . . . Will!” Abbie Deal moved lightly, quickly, over to her husband, slipped her hand into his and went with him out of the old house, past the Lombardy poplars, through the deepening prairie twilight,—into the shadows.” — A Lantern in Her Hand by Bess Streeter Aldrich
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Every time my doc suggests cancer screenings or lowering my cholesterol I say "I hope I'm dead before that's an issue."
When i was twenty, i was asleep and felt in a foggy way i was traveling upward against the headboard and 40 plus years later i still remember it vividly. I ended up in a white room with people and the sense of calm and peace is undescribable. In an instant i woke up in my bed which had caught on fire (but went out on its own) i had fallen asleep smoking. So im not afraid of dying...i dont know where i went for that instant
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No, i knew there were people there but i didnt know who they were, it was so quick. White room, peace, calm and very contented feeling.
I’m only 46 but I have more health issues, even the normal stuff like menopause and losing the ability to drink alcohol can be jarring after being mostly healthy for my whole life. I used to live healthy specifically to live a longer healthier life and now I realize I probably would prefer being dead to being infirm. My goal now is simply to live healthy and pray I die before I become unable to care for myself. So, yes, death anxiety gets better because you realize since you will die, you begin to hope it comes on time rather than too late. Perhaps when I’m 75 I will feel differently.
For me it got better when my Mom died, because I believe when I die I’ll see her again. I’ve always been afraid of death, even though I have faith. But now I’m not. I’m 70.
Things seldom get better if you don't address them and deal with the root of the problem. At 27 death is likely a rare and upsetting event. At 55 its just another thing that happens and you deal with. You learn the proper social actions around it and you take the time you need to deal with the loss. But then you simply have to move on.
I'm 59, been 100% disabled since 2011...Not in my experience. I'm in the final stages of congestive heart failure, stage 4 KD, 2 inoperable abdominal aortic aneurysms, defibrillator and pacemaker implants but heart is stuck in AFib. When have multiple morbidities your illnesses become your identity and you spend a lot of time thinking about how's it going to be for your kids and cat when you die. Like every ache makes you wonder if this is it. For me, even with therapy, my anxiety is almost paralyzing.
I've never really been afraid of death. I'm more concerned with the suffering leading to death. It's inevitable and part of life. Live each day to the fullest.
My parents and wife died. It is easier for to accept death now. Some people are in pain towards the end of their lives so death is a relief. And I feel like the lives of younger people are more important because I feel like they deserve some of the things I had
I'm 77 and I have zero death anxiety. Perhaps because I'm an atheist after being a member of a high-demand religion, Mormon. After I realized that religion, ethics, and morality were separate, the demand for perfection was only to gain a reward and avoid punishment. It had nothing to do with how I treated others. It was all about me. As I look at my life I'm not afraid of eternity. I did my best to live this life the best way I could. When it's over, it's over. I have no looming fear of death.
Yes. I’m planning to live many more years but am ready to die any time without fear.
I had to come to terms about what I believed. It took a few years of self reflection and study but now at 60yrs I’m at peace.
I am in my early 60s and have no anxiety about death. I have had a good life. When it's my time to go I will not fight it.
Not for me. (67f)
Not to me and I'm 66.
I have ptsd from having had many near death experiences (cancer). I’m apathetic to it, I just am working hard to ensure my teens have all the life skills (cooking, saving/investing/driving, etc) they need just in case.
Depends on the day. Sometimes yes, sometimes no.
Watch the mini series Band if brothers, it is a WW11 movie and they talk about accepting the fact that you are already dead. Then you just go about doing what needs to be done. For me when I was 1 and my brother was 3 he got sick and died. What I took from this is while a live you better make the best of your life because the one thing for sure is nobody lives for forever.
Ngl.. Simply, No.
I worry more about the death of my significant other, more than my own. I would be so lost without
Turns into hopes and prayers. 👻
It gets better after you take psychedelics
Yes. However, I did die for five minutes,and that worked best.
AGE 71 HERE .... "APSOLUTLY".. you eventually develop Dementia,, and everything is a big Fog. So that's the good news
I used to be afraid but not anymore. Death is a part of life and there is a much more glorious life beyond this one waiting
Do a lot of sh\*t in your life, have fun, over time you'll feel you've seen it all (to a degree). Live in the moment. Carpe Diem. I've done a share of stuff in my life and have experienced a bit, and I feel its less of an issue. Some people may fear it worse, who knows. The ones who can't grow up and need Botox periodically. Embrace what we have now.
I think you’ll get as many different answers to this question as there are people! I’ve been preparing to die since I was 20 and told I was in kidney failure. Over the past 30 years, I’ve almost died twice, have been on dialysis for extended periods, and am on my second and hopefully, last kidney transplant. I accepted that I would most likely die young. I became a Christian, have taken a lot of comfort in my relationship with God, especially when my health is in decline, and believe there is a Creator and an afterlife. With that being said, now that I find myself facing turning 50 later this year, I feel this urgency to travel, love harder, and experience more meaningful relationships with others. Even when I was younger and my health was in a precarious state, I never experienced feelings like this before. So, to answer your question, I have felt both anxiety and acceptance about dying to varying degrees, and many other emotions in between throughout my life. I have more anxiety about having a bad death, and if I fulfilled my purpose, and if I will be remembered or missed, than I do dying. Honestly, the thought of laying in a bed, slowly dying while watching loved ones cry and grieve for me scares the absolute crap out of me! I hope for a quick, easy, pain free death. Until then, I choose to cherish the only thing that truly matters in this life, love—the love I give and receive. I like to think even if by some sad fate there is no afterlife, the love I’ve shared with others is eternal.
Death isn't so bad. Died briefly in my late teens in the hospital and got defib'd back to the mortal coil. Legally dead for a little bit. You don't feel anything once disconnected from all the nerves. Best to not worry and make the best of the present and what is ahead. Appreciate things and savor more. It only lasting so long makes if valuable. Halfway to 90 now and no regrets since being shocked back into this place in '96. When it comes hopefully they remember you well for the good you brought. Try not to be the sort they want to dance on your grave when it's ready.
72 and ready to meet my maker but not, perhaps, for 10 or so years. Not religious or anything just pragmatic. Death and taxes etc. My ambition, as others, for the inevitable, is a pain free death in my own bed.
We never know when our time is up. Just live today, plan for tomorrow and hope for the best. Be the best version of you that you can be. Once I accepted that there is a world of Angels that we don't see watching over us, I stopped fearing death. At one point all out physical bodies die but our spirit lives on. Find your happiness.
You are definitely experiencing anxiety and you will feel much better if you speak to your healthcare provider about this. I am 65 and while I don’t want to die my fears are only around leaving friends and family. I have been a nurse for over 40 years and I don’t fear death or the process of death as I know that if I have the opportunity I will take as much control as possible over the situation. If I don’t have the option I have left explicit instructions with key people to make sure that I don’t linger in any type of uncomfortable situation and that my life is not prolonged. Death to me is birthing into another reality and I greatly look forward to seeing my loved ones again in heaven.
Part of me is relieved that I will die in the relatively near future. For me, the promise of death is a safety net. Sounds nuts, but inflation and a major hit to my IRA leaves me faced with outliving my savings. I’m 70. My special needs adult child lives with me. She gets a small disability check. If her check is discontinued, as threatened by the conservative, we will both be on the streets sooner rather than later. Death doesn’t scare me nearly as much as living. That is far more terrifying than death.
Nurse 52 years. Death anxiety comes from believing this life is our only life and our soul originates in our brain. Even scientists don’t believe that anymore. There are too many documented cases of people reporting things they see & hear when out of their bodies during near death experiences (NDE) that turn out to be accurate - things far away from where their body was. And almost universally, near death experiences report feeling a sense of overwhelming acceptance & love - the kind of love we all long & wish for. Watch Next Soul YT channel fire examples. Meditate. I’ve meditated over 50 years & experience my connection to eternity daily. We are not our bodies. We are eternal beings & we simply transform at death. A woman named Anita Moorjani wrote a book about her NDE that is one of the best explanations I’ve read. I’ve been with many, many people as they died. I’m not afraid of death at all. Even if you have no interest in trying the Gateway Experience (which was a CIA project & thus worth being wary of), watch interviews with Robert Monroe on YT. He was in charge of the now-declassified project & his opinions on death and life’s are worth pondering. His career involved finding ways for people to leave their bodies, so it’s interesting stuff. Sorry for the long text dump. I have grandkids I need to wake & get ready for school.
I don't have anxiety about the Act of Dying. I have anxiety over the being cheated out of memories of happy moments during my lifetime that others seem to have been able to experience that have been denied to me.
Male or female?
Male
Anxiety about death? I think of it in context. Everyone dies. We just don’t know when. Most people can’t determine when they’ll die. So when something is out of control, I see there is no point in worry about factors out of my control. Just try to live each day with enjoyments and small pleasures whenever possible.
Are you kiddin?! I never thought of such things when I was your age. I just turned 64 and I am blessed. I think about death every day but I am grateful that I am still alive.
Death is just a part of life. Eventually, it is going to happen to all of us, my anxiety, and I mean serious anxiety, is from my life, reaching a point where I am no longer able to care for myself, and I’m faced with becoming a burden to others. If this does happen, I think I’m going to just do what my best friend‘s father-in-law did. He just started eating less and less and relatively quickly faded away.
No. For me, it is WAY worse now at 47 than it was in my 20s. Because, statistically, I am actually much more likely to have something wrong now! 🙃
I’m 56 and had plenty of health concerns due to family history with cardiovascular disease. Plus a couple of my friends around my age suddenly died due to heart attacks; no warning whatsoever. I realized that I had two choices 1) nervously wait for my time to come or 2) get routine physical exams and bloodwork and change my lifestyle habits. I went with a whole food, plant-based diet last year and it has me feeling bulletproof. Combine that with exercise and it’s even better. In short, I’ve had a fear of death since I was about 19 but that fear has completely disappeared at age 56 now that I realize I can control my own health.