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Great_Whereas_9187 t1_j3fec3c wrote

I'm eighty and I'm struggling with my mortality. I can't quite get rid of the fear of dying. I do have some regrets but I've looked at them as life lessons.

As to looking back over one's life, once you're old, I think most people would have wanted to live an exciting, fuller life. So if you're a young adult I would whole heartily agree with that. I wouldn't let anything get in my way of having exciting, eventful life. I guess I'm saying living the vagabond, hedonistic life would be the way I'd have liked to live it.

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TreatThompson OP t1_j3feug5 wrote

Thank you so much for sharing this!

That last sentence is sticking with me. You don’t usually hear advice to live acting out our hedonism or thrill seeking. But I can definitely see where you’re coming from.

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YourWiseOldFriend t1_j3ftbu6 wrote

  1. I'm not making a funny here. Death is easy. It really is. Dying is a sonofabitch though.
  2. Our years tend to feel shorter because we no longer experience new things and it's same old same old, then you open your eyes, you're 30 years older.
  3. Even though you're 80, don't think of death. Death is not here. And when you're dead, you're not here [Seneca?]. So, enjoy life.
  4. You're 80, you're too old to do sensible things. Do things that are fun for you. And don't plan ahead 'for the future', do them now. You live now. You wanted to see the rodeo: go see the rodeo. You wanted to see the museum: go see the museum. You wanted to play the instrument: nobody said you had to be a master at it, just enjoy it.
  5. Don't wait. Have as many experiences as you can cram into your life.
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Great_Whereas_9187 t1_j3n7qjo wrote

Thank you for those encouraging words. They are much appreciated. I have just completed my final directives for when death comes. It just makes you think about where I'm at. Yes, your advice is welcome.

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YourWiseOldFriend t1_j3n9mjg wrote

Remember: you're too old to care about what the neighbours will think.

Have fun, let your waning years be joyous and wholesome.

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