I don’t want to be mawkish or indulgent. But I want to consider my mortality in order to live well in the years I have left

Have you ever spent time seriously contemplating your own death? I haven’t. I’m 55, in good health, exercise regularly, eat well and – barring the proverbial bus – have no reason to think death is imminent. Thoughts of my own mortality naturally arise from time to time but they’re easy to banish. After all, both my parents are still alive, forming a kind of metaphysical barrier. Not my turn yet! But one thing I will do differently in the coming years is to begin reflecting on my demise. Does that sound mawkish? Self-indulgent? Pointless?

Well, I won’t be picking out a coffin or selecting music for the funeral or tearfully imagining the mourners gathering. All that would be a waste of time and, like everyone else, I’m busy. With work, family, friends, travel, trips to the theatre, galleries, restaurants and so on. What I mean to say is that I have not lost my appetite for life. Why, then, do I wish to begin meditating on death?

Continue reading…

You May Also Like

River Thames could get first designated wild swimming site

Local pressure group applies for bathing water status for stretch of Thames…

Most of us are sticking to the lockdown rules, so why do we blame one another? | Stephen Reicher

Fixating on the actions of a handful of ‘covidiots’ will only undermine…

Almost 38,000 mental health appointments miss vital 72-hour window

Royal College of Psychiatrists calls for action to ensure patients are seen…