Facing Death to Find What Truly Matters

Sitting near the edge of a rocky cliff, with the wind whipping around your face, can bring a peculiar sense of clarity. When our time feels finite, or when we lose someone we care about, the noise of daily worries fades, replaced by questions that dig deeper: Have I invested my time in what matters? What legacy am I crafting, not in grand terms, but in everyday actions?

Reflecting on mortality isn’t just a dark or morbid exercise; it’s a practical tool for realignment. Studies in neuroscience reveal that reminders of scarcity—like time or opportunity—activate brain areas linked to value-based decision making, helping us focus on goals and relationships that offer meaning, rather than temporary highs or surface-level wins.

For many, imagining the end is the beginning of honest living. It lessens the sting of small failures and dissipates the urge to chase popularity, wealth, or perfection. Instead, it grounds you in purposeful connection, contribution, and the simple beauty of existing for another day.

Spend a few minutes this week thinking about a time life’s limits felt real—a friend moved away, a pet died, or you felt risk up close. Notice how this shifts your view of what’s truly important, and write down a few legacies or impacts you want to leave behind. Create a gentle, weekly reminder to check if your daily actions are steering you closer to that legacy—or just spinning your wheels. This isn’t meant to scare you, but to free you: when you face what’s hard to face, you finally see what’s worth living for. Try it tonight, as you wind down.