My Midlife Crisis: Confronting the Reality of Mortality

This past weekend was spent mostly at a funeral home to pay respects to an acquaintance that has been known by my family for years. The transition of his children from youngsters to parents of their own families reminds me of how time flies and how I, too, am getting older. Death is something that I’ve grown to ponder more about as I’ve aged. It could be attributed to several reasons such as the realization of my own morality, witnessing the death of loved ones, reflecting on my successes and regrets, health issues, and pondering the meaning of life. I know, way too deep.

The thought of how many people just ten or twenty years older than me who have passed away is a scary one as it makes me come face to face with my own mortality. As I age, thoughts of death frequently cross my mind. As I approach middle age, I can’t help but feel the weight of mortality on my thoughts and emotions. The idea of impermanence makes me question the meaning of life, the purpose of our existence, and the legacy we may leave behind. But instead of succumbing to the ominous thoughts, I choose to appreciate the present moment and cherish the time I have. To overcome the fear of death during middle age, I focus on living a fulfilling life. This means engaging in activities that bring me joy, spending quality time with loved ones, and making meaningful contributions to society. I seek support from trusted individuals such as friends, family members or therapists, which helps alleviate anxiety and promote a sense of belonging. 

One practice that has been especially effective for me is expressing gratitude. Gratitude can improve mental health, enhance relationships, increase empathy and reduce aggression, and foster a more positive outlook on life. By cultivating gratitude, I hope to be more content, enjoying better physical health, and strengthening social bonds. Additionally, when I show gratitude, I inspire others to do the same, creating a ripple effect of positivity. By doing so and living a life full of purpose and joy, we can find peace and happiness in the present moment.  I am scared to be on this journey so I am trying to stay in this path but I am not perfect so detours are expected.