To not want to live longer

[AmIAlone52]

Probably not the wisest place to put this but hell, let's do it. I will preface by saying I do have depression, which is managed well but is probably impacting on my thinking here.

Am I the only person who doesn't want to live a "long life"? I exercise and am currently eating in a calorie deficit to try and lose some baby weight (DC is definitely no longer a baby) but a lot of the fitness media I consume has been impacted by the body positivity/neutrality movement and consequently has a big focus on exercising for health and longevity rather than the way your body looks, and yet all I can think when I see this is "I don't want to live that long"

Whilst I'm not doing anything to deliberately endagner my health (non smoker, rarely drink, no drugs or self harm etc) I am not looking to go out of my way to improve things. I don't want to.

Am I completely insane thinking this? Does everyone else want to live as long as possible?

I’ve had depression all my life. I think life is pretty shit atm.

lm 58, l don’t want to die! I have a 16 year old and a 28 year old. They’d be broken if l died now.

Plus after sorting out proper meds finally, l feel happier than I’ve felt in years.

With the greatest respect and sympathy to those going through awful things... that is not the same as age, as
is very apparent from the fact that there are 70 year-olds having a great time and 25 year-olds who can barely stand to live through another day.

My mum was 95 when she was asked about having a 'do not resuscitate' notice on her hospital notes, she was indignant and said she wanted to live as long as possible!
I feel I would not like to live into my 90s, but who knows, maybe I will feel differently about it when I get there?

The thing is you cannot just "pop off to Switzerland", as the obstacles are formidable and the medical profession in UK will be obstructive. UK Law needs to change , as has been done in Canada in recent years. Those who support this need to lobby their MP.

If, as some of you are saying, a wish not to live beyond 50 is not a result of depression or chronic illness (which is understandable) what is it that you think you can't do after 50 that makes life no longer worthwhile? Or do you think it's not worthwhile now but you have responsibilities you can't leave (in which case I would argue there is some depression). Most people I know at 50+ are healthy, working, socialising, raising their own children (or in some cases helping with grandchildren), travelling, doing sports etc. Surely it's not much different than before 50?

@Wooly42 I am a paid-up member of Dignity for Dying. I use "pop off to Switzerland" as shorthand for "do myself in" whether here, abroad or whatever is best when the time comes. There are ways and means.

I am in my fifties, with children and a very active work and social life.
But I think life is overrated.

YANBU, I've worked with the elderly. If I'm still going, the plan is not to past 50-55 ish. I should hopefully have a few grandkids - that would be wonderful to see. You always think you have more time until you get to the point where you can't do anything.

Assuming my children are adults, I won't be on blood thinners or any other medication either. We pump the elderly full of drugs to keep them going, quite often they get to the point where they can't take care of themselves and/or dementia.

I'm not depressed either, I eat well, don't smoke, rarely drink etc. I don't put my life in danger. I just don't want to live like that. I just want to die with dignity and with full capacity.

@Chargeable Lifetime Transfers I would prefer a "good" death supported by my family. I have read that most of those who begin the process with dignitas and similar organisations do not complete it.

I am intrigued by what the "ways and means" are, the ones I can image are painful. I am sure you would not be able to post about it here !

@DonateBloodNCheckSmokeAlarms If you mean "Dignity in Dying" on their campaign page they would support asisted death only for "only limited to terminally ill ". My issue with this if you are not terminaly ill then you have potentially longer to suffer, maybe much longer.

I think you can live a fulfilling life at all ages but I’ve heard more than one person in later life say they’ve felt like they’ve lived ‘too long’.

I'm 63, don't smoke or drink, was seriously ill last year and am glad to be alive - but I think another 5 - 10 years will do me. Just long enough to see my eldest GD leave school. I'm not wishing my life away, but having been a care worker for 20 - odd years, I've seen really old people who long to die because their lives are now so empty

Quality is more important to me than length.

I have my advance directive registered with my GP surgery to ensure that I do not end up as a prisoner in a care facility. I've seen too many heartbreaking sights of the very elderly just existing and I don't want that to be me.

So much judgment. Why do we all have to be the same? It's perfectly acceptable to want different things. It's not a zero sun game. Can we accept and respect each other.

@Wooly42 yes, that's the one. Yes, I would support them widening their parameters so they are more like the Peaceful Pill handbook folk. You have to be over the age of 50 to join them tho so I'm too young.

@TheCanyon I'm sorry to hear that. I hope that you can get support and treatment to help you live a good life for as long as possible.

That must be so hard x

Two DGM ended up in homes with awful dementia and lived to late 90’s.
DF mid 70’s is now in a home with dementia.
I’m 50 and already have a number of health conditions which means life is a struggle. DH mid 50’s is disabled following an op and not in great health.

If I didn’t have a teen I would happily not be here. I don’t want to live a long life only to end up in a home having someone else wipe my arse.

I’m going to try and do the Swedish death cleaning thing, I don’t want teen to have to deal with all my stuff. DF’s house is a nightmare to try and sort.