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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Would you like to know when you are going to die?

122 replies

Dishwashersaurous · 22/10/2022 20:43

Completely inspired by another thread.

Would you like to know when you are going to die?

Say if everyone on their 21st birthday wad given the date they will die?

OP posts:
HangOnToYourself · 22/10/2022 20:55

No I couldn't enjoy the time I had

ThreeRingCircus · 22/10/2022 20:56

Good god no. What if it was very soon? If I found out I was going to die young and leave my little DDs behind while they were still children I'd be absolutely devastated. I'd rather just view each day as a gift, tell people I love them and continue to live in blissful ignorance while hoping I'll pop my clogs at a ripe old age.

FishFingerSandwiches4Tea · 22/10/2022 20:56

I spoke about this with my late father when I was younger. He said definitely not, as it would change how you lived your life. I didn't understand his point of view then, but he died unexpectedly last year, and now I get it. If we'd known it was his final month we wouldn't have enjoyed him as we did, we'd have been devastated before he even became ill. So while I understand why some might say yes, it would be a no from me.

YouAreNotBatman · 22/10/2022 20:56

If it’s a long wait,no.
Nothing scares me more than having to be here in this bullshit for long.

But if death isin’t too far, then yes, it would be relief to know the pain would soon(ish) be over…

FindingMeno · 22/10/2022 20:56

No no nooooooo!

drpet49 · 22/10/2022 20:58

Yes, yes, yes

Mum2jenny · 22/10/2022 20:59

No way anyone/anything can currently predict this, so it cannot be implemented any time soon

PoundShopPrincess · 22/10/2022 20:59

My automatic response was 'yes' because I like to plan ... but reading PP's comments I've changed my mind. I think I'd lose some of the joy of living by planning for and always being aware of its ending.

Runnerduck34 · 22/10/2022 21:00

No.
And I dont think most people cope with knowing. It would mess with your head.

Motherofalittledragon · 22/10/2022 21:00

Definitely not

sageandbasil · 22/10/2022 21:03

No way

Lizthelettuce · 22/10/2022 21:06

Yes, we all know we’re 100% going to die anyway.
It would be good to know when so that we can prepare and have fewer regrets at the end.

JaceLancs · 22/10/2022 21:06

I would be ok with a vague idea eg within 5 or 10 years
as others have said if im going to die in my 60s I won’t bother as much with a pension

FLOWER1982 · 22/10/2022 21:07

Yes I would. I like to know what’s happening and be organised so definitely.

butterfliedtwo · 22/10/2022 21:08

overgrowngrass · 22/10/2022 20:47

Yes definitely! I’d pay less into my pension if I knew I was going to die beforehand, for example.

To be fair, this is a good point.

As I've gotten older, the answer is yes.

FLOWER1982 · 22/10/2022 21:09

The thing is, we are all going to die at some point. Why not find out?

Olivetreebutter · 22/10/2022 21:09

Yes. I'd like to be able to plan and prioritise.

CheeseForTea · 22/10/2022 21:10

Mum2jenny · 22/10/2022 20:59

No way anyone/anything can currently predict this, so it cannot be implemented any time soon

I bet you’re fun at parties

Lcb123 · 22/10/2022 21:10

Definitely not

AuntieMarys · 22/10/2022 21:10

Yes I would. I'm in my 60s and I like to be organised

WhileMyGuitarGentlyWeeps · 22/10/2022 21:11

Not sure. I mean, what if, when you're 21, your death-day is 29! Shock

I think I will go with NO actually.

Want2beme · 22/10/2022 21:11

No. I had a bit of a health scare earlier this year and it made me very anxious about the possibility of dying. The stress of knowing my date of death would be too hard to bear. I hope I never have to cope with that.

User17956743 · 22/10/2022 21:15

I'm in my 60s and it would make it easier to be able to plan but I wouldn't like it if I was told 100 or something really old like that.

LeFeu · 22/10/2022 21:15

This idea has definitely come up in some novels.

see also, knowing when other people are going to die.

I think, like a previous poster, I’d have to know if it was possible to know, but then massively regret it. And do our loved ones all have this choice? I’d hate to know when my husband was going to die, knowing who’d be first, what would you do if it was the same date? Not leave the house? Try and change it?

yeah I think it would mess you up too much!

Mum2jenny · 22/10/2022 21:17

You cannot decide time of death as there are so many variables. Illnesses, hit by a bus, killed by a partner, decided to commit suicide as you decide life is not worth living.
Unless someone has been in the future and returns in a time machine, this will never be possible.
Ok, believe what makes you feel happy, but be realistic!!!

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