3 ms·

Do you have any advice/resources for coming to terms with death as a non-believer? I've had existential dread for as long as I remember, but it's gotten far wo

Do you have any advice/resources for coming to terms with death as a non-believer? I've had existential dread for as long as I remember, but it's gotten far worse as I've slowly lost what faith I had over the years. There's a certain irony in being so scared of death that it ruins your life.

toomuchtodo 6y ago
“Man is like a dog tied to a moving wagon. If the dog refuses to run along with the wagon he will be dragged by it, yet the choice remains his: to run or be dragged.” We’re all default dead in the long run, make the most of what time you have with whatever brings you joy and happiness. Choose to run.
- deleted 6y ago
  [deleted]
- ScaredOfDying 6y ago
  I guess that’s the thing - I do choose to run every day. I love my wife, I generally enjoy my job. I literally run in the park everyday. I don’t sit around in a dark room despairing (at least not until I go to bed). I do my absolute best to get the most out of life. But the feeling of dread stays with me no matter what I do. It taints every memory and every waking moment. I can’t run from my thoughts, try as I might.
  - toomuchtodo 6y ago
    It’s okay to be afraid, courage isn’t a lack of fear, but overcoming the fear you have. You have an entire life ahead of you to make peace with the cycle. If you want to chat more, let me know how to get in touch.
    - ScaredOfDying 6y ago
      Thank you, I really appreciate the offer. This feeling is definitely something I'd like to free myself from, and you seem to have figured out how to get a sense of peace. I'd love to chat. My email is charliecollard0 at gmail dot com. I feel like such a fool for going down this path, but I've recently been reading up on life extension, and Aubrey de Grey in particular. In fact, I did a Google search for his name on hacker news, and this thread came up and I recognised your handle in the discussion! https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=20854050 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=20854050 It's embarrassing how much relief even thinking about the possibility of having more time with the people I love gives me, compared to everything else I've tried. Do you think it's healthy to have this in the back of my mind as a possiblity? My rational side wants to dismiss it as just another religion of a different shade, and I feel it does set myself up for a lot of disappointment at an older age. After all, if it sounds too good to be true... Have you gone down this road yourself?

toomuchtodo 6y ago

“Man is like a dog tied to a moving wagon. If the dog refuses to run along with the wagon he will be dragged by it, yet the choice remains his: to run or be dragged.” We’re all default dead in the long run, make the most of what time you have with whatever brings you joy and happiness. Choose to run.

deleted 6y ago
[deleted]
ScaredOfDying 6y ago
I guess that’s the thing - I do choose to run every day. I love my wife, I generally enjoy my job. I literally run in the park everyday. I don’t sit around in a dark room despairing (at least not until I go to bed). I do my absolute best to get the most out of life. But the feeling of dread stays with me no matter what I do. It taints every memory and every waking moment. I can’t run from my thoughts, try as I might.
- toomuchtodo 6y ago
  It’s okay to be afraid, courage isn’t a lack of fear, but overcoming the fear you have. You have an entire life ahead of you to make peace with the cycle. If you want to chat more, let me know how to get in touch.
  - ScaredOfDying 6y ago
    Thank you, I really appreciate the offer. This feeling is definitely something I'd like to free myself from, and you seem to have figured out how to get a sense of peace. I'd love to chat. My email is charliecollard0 at gmail dot com. I feel like such a fool for going down this path, but I've recently been reading up on life extension, and Aubrey de Grey in particular. In fact, I did a Google search for his name on hacker news, and this thread came up and I recognised your handle in the discussion! https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=20854050 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=20854050 It's embarrassing how much relief even thinking about the possibility of having more time with the people I love gives me, compared to everything else I've tried. Do you think it's healthy to have this in the back of my mind as a possiblity? My rational side wants to dismiss it as just another religion of a different shade, and I feel it does set myself up for a lot of disappointment at an older age. After all, if it sounds too good to be true... Have you gone down this road yourself?