Whether we’re old, young, rich or poor, Death is an eventual inevitability that we cannot fight against. The peaceful sleep we all want to occur to us, the hope that everything will be fine in the end, and even the relief of knowing that you’ve done your best in life; despite all this, we still try to fight it.

Oftentimes, this is because we’ve been taught to fear death. In Western culture, especially American culture, we emphasize our youth over anything else. We don’t like talking about death because it can be uncomfortable, and while it may seem far away, it still haunts us, follows us around like a dark shadow. Whenever someone brings up, we even think the person is mental ill, even suicidal.

Even so, we cannot have life after death. And while it’s common to fear it, our obsession to try and avoid it can be an unhealthy obstacle for us. Below, however, are some things you can do to better live your life.

Write down what you think about death

Take some time to think about why you’re so afraid of death. Sit down in a quiet place, and with a paper and writing utensil in hand, write down what you usually associate with death. Try to be thorough, and remember where those thoughts come from. When you’re done, look down at that list. What do emotions are those words often associated with? Fear? Loneliness? Be honest with yourself, and remember that in the end, this experience is yours and yours alone.

If you find yourself struggling, remind yourself that fearing death isn’t uncommon. However, remember that sometimes, the fear of death can be worse than actual death itself.

Spend time in the present

By simply living your life, you can come to terms with the inevitable end of death. Try something new, or follow a longtime passion. Spend time with your family and friends, or any loved ones that will help support you and encourage you. You can also turn your attention to other belief systems, and learn something more about the people who believe in the afterlife. Learn their language and culture, and connect with them in a way that allows you to grow.

But it’s not just religiously; promoting physical health can also be a way to ground yourself to the present. Focus on living healthier; fruits, vegetables, and even a few sweets or two can help your mental clarity and improve your mood. Using a few natural oils here can also relax you, and give you a sort of confidence you may not have thought otherwise.

But no matter what, live your life for the better, whether it be for yourself, your loved ones, or even strangers.

Reflect on your experiences

Though we may wish to change some things in the past, we know we can’t change them. Even so, we may reminisce on what could’ve been, dwell on memories we’re most fond of, relive our lives with clearer minds. By learning from your past and self-reflecting, you’ll be able to come to terms with what’d happened. It helps you learn what you could’ve done better, and give you a bigger picture on just where things are in your life.

What’s more, it raises your awareness, and breaks stereotypes, intentional or unintentional, that may have otherwise barred your experiences on other life. You also benefit from learning to appreciate your achievements, no matter how small, as well as learn from mistakes in order to help improve your life. In other words, it allows you to take a big step back, and just breathe.

Conclusion

Death is a part of life. Whenever we think of it, we often reject the notion that we’re going to die, that there are ways we can cling to life, whether it be through medication, lifestyle, or achievements. Even so, by spending time with friends and loved ones, and pursuing our passions, we can ground ourselves to the present and come to terms with our own mortality. By reflecting on experiences, and figuring out just what we truly think of Death, we can lessen our fears, and divert our attentions elsewhere, such as building our lives up, and falling in love with other people and their kindness. So yes, Death is inevitable. But Death is also apart of us, and is something we should embrace, not reject wholeheartedly.

-Featured image by webandi from pixabay