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Original poster

Are you afraid of dying?

163 replies

usernamechanged1 · 28/03/2023 20:29

I seem to swing between being fully accepting that it’ll come to us all, and dreading the thought of it.

What’s your take?

OP posts:
Tyrozet · 28/03/2023 21:27

If it wouldnt affect my family, I'd welcome it tomorrow.

I'm not actively suicidal, but the thought of living for many more years is exhausting.

I'm 35, I wouldn't want my son to grow up without his mum, but other than that, meh!

Twospaniels · 28/03/2023 21:29

I don’t think I’m afraid of dying, but I am afraid of being ill / immobile / disabled in some way (as my mum is).

Woodywasatwat · 28/03/2023 21:32

I had a neat death experience. I just felt very tired and like I was drifting off to sleep.

I’m not afraid of death. I’m terrified of leaving my children.

LilacRain12 · 28/03/2023 21:32

I'm single with no kids so don't have to worry about how anyone would feel if I died.
I am scared as others have said about a painful or long drawn out death. Comforted somewhat by those who have had near death experiences and who say it is nothing to fear. Its the unknown isn't it, the finality. That's what is frightening about it.

LawksaMercyMissus · 28/03/2023 21:34

lipstickwoman · 28/03/2023 20:42

I'm not afraid of death or dying. I am very afraid of knowing I won't live much longer.

I know that sounds odd.

Totally agree

My3cents1 · 28/03/2023 21:35

Nope. I was 2 when my mom died so it will be nice to met her. I will get to see my dad again and my lovely brother who I miss terribly.

lljkk · 28/03/2023 21:35

Yes and no. I'd be afraid in the moment but not in principle. I'm not afraid of the idea, iyswim. Definitely believe in quality over quantity.

theresnolimits · 28/03/2023 21:35

Now my children have grown up and are settled with their own families, I don’t fear death as I used to. But I do dread my husband dying ~ I can’t imagine life without him. I hope I go first.

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 28/03/2023 21:37

Being dead? No. I'm certain there is nothing beyond that I need to fear, and I'm certain that my mind will ease me into it (unless it's an immediate sudden death).

Dying in a drawn out way? Yes. I fear this. I'm generally antsy when I have something in the pipeline so I don't think I'd be very good handling impending death.

sageandrosemary · 28/03/2023 21:39

Yes, terrified, to be honest.

SingingWaffleDoggy · 28/03/2023 21:40

The act of dying itself does not scare me. Palliative care is a huge part of my work role and I can honestly say that with all the drugs and holistic treatments available I have seen very very few deaths where the person has been uncomfortable.
I am however scared of no longer existing. I love my children to the ends of the earth and do not want to miss a second of their lives. I want to watch them grow, become parents themselves if they wish, travel, enjoy the world etc. The thought that one day I will leave them, and the pain that they will feel losing their Mum whether they are 5 or 50 years old. I just want to always be here for them

Twatalert · 28/03/2023 21:41

I have had a hard life and only found some peace now in my early 40s. Id like to enjoy that feeling a bit longer, but my hard life has made me tired and I don't feel I am clinging onto life. I put great effort into some relationships - those connections with other humans are special to me and I feel like I wouldn't have any regrets if I died tomorrow. I really have battled through life and have compassion for myself for anything I could have done differently.

The only thing I'm scared of is physical pain. I have had so much mental torment I don't think I could experience worse. I look forward to that warm comfy feeling just before death.

fatisnotafeeling · 28/03/2023 21:49

The thought of death makes me feel very odd, I can't explain it very well, I panic when I j think about it so shut the thoughts out.

I can't get my head around not being here at this time of my life and being old and probably frail. Time moves so very quickly i feel like I will blink and it will be over. I think that is what I'm afraid of, being at the end of my life and it all being over.

stinkfaceison · 28/03/2023 21:52

I'm not afraid of dying because that will be like going to sleep . Oddly enough I'm scared of what happens to my body after death . Stupid I know , but I worry I will know about it on some level .

GarlicGrace · 28/03/2023 21:53

Not really. I was raised in an excessively memento mori environment, so all my criteria have been along the lines of "Will I regret this on my deathbed?" and making choices based on a mental list of things to do before I die.

By and large, I reckon it's no bad way to plan a life. It may have made too much of an impression, though, because I've been expecting to die ever since my teens. I haven't yet: did you guess? It led me to make some decisions too hastily. Too late to worry about that now, though! Done is done.

Currently I actually am planning my demise. I figure I've probably got about 10 years left, and the last thing I want is to lumber my survivors with sorting out all my crap. I've paid for a funeral, made my tragic pauper's will, and am patiently organising my belongings.

My only fear is death of a hideous illness (not unlikely). I want to do a couple more things from my bucket list before it.

inventinglouise · 28/03/2023 21:54

I'm not afraid of it - I believe that death is the end, there is nothing there.
I just don't want it to happen, I enjoy life.

Tilllly · 28/03/2023 21:54

I think it was Woody Allen who said "I'm not frightened of dying. I just don't want to be there when it happens"

No, I am not frightened, as it says in the Chalet school books, dying is just falling asleep, to wake up with God

Holeymoleymacaroni · 28/03/2023 21:56

I'm not sure. I don't really think about it.

Terrified of people I love dying though. That is much worse to me.

stargirl1701 · 28/03/2023 21:56

Sad more than anything. I wonder about all the things I will miss.

Proudofitbabe · 28/03/2023 21:58

I never used to be, but when I consider it I feel scared at the thought of never seeing my loved ones again. The prospect that we are born alone, and we go alone. The people I love so much now, not with me ever again. I hope if that's the case I'm not aware of it! But I try and keep faith in an afterlife.

GarlicGrace · 28/03/2023 21:58

Palliative care is a huge part of my work role and I can honestly say that with all the drugs and holistic treatments available I have seen very very few deaths where the person has been uncomfortable.

You've probably got some idea of what a comfort that is to me, @SingingWaffleDoggy! Thank you Flowers

Lcb123 · 28/03/2023 21:59

Not at all - it’s the end so you won’t even know. I’m more scared of being long term unwell with a poor quality of life

UB40andaglassofwine · 28/03/2023 21:59

The fear of dying has ruined my life

Stormydanielss · 28/03/2023 21:59

I have fear of missing out on my children's lives and not being with them
I also fear of being in a coffin even thou I guess I wouldn't know

StarbucksSmarterSister · 28/03/2023 22:00

I'm not scared of dying per se but I'm scared of not living, iyswim.

If I was religious I wouldn't be so concerned but the thought that there is nothing ( even though I wouldn't be aware) reaally depresses me.

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