Planning for death here feels like a fierce act of hope and control in a world slipping off its axis. (And a Harold and Maude fan too per the below comment.)
Your essays always make me pause and reflect, and this one was no different. I really appreciated how you described "how we might plan to die in order to more freely live." It’s such an important perspective—thinking about death actually makes me think more about how I want to live with greater intention. In other words, like you said, "This is all an exercise in exerting control when we feel otherwise powerless. Of giving meaning to things that only matter because we decide they do." It’s a powerful reminder that preparing for death is really about reflecting on how we choose to live. Thanks for sharing this—it really got me thinking, as always:)
I love you and your plans and words and ideas but can I hire you to do what you did for yourself for me as I feel totally overwhelmed just by picking up my prescriptions and returning library books let alone to write my will (which I really need to do) or make a thumb drive of emergency items 😂😭 but seriously your list is helpful, another nudge in the right direction if only I can find the time/headspace/drive…
Funny because I can do some big things like this MUCH easier than manage the little things I'd rather die than do, like daily errands you describe, or cutting my toenails, or dusting. So maybe we can trade and you can also help me with those things, ha. Distraction is really what fuels me since I hate repetitive tasks.
Planning for death here feels like a fierce act of hope and control in a world slipping off its axis. (And a Harold and Maude fan too per the below comment.)
It’s true! I don’t find any of it morbid at all, it’s fun. Thank you
Discussing death strategies on a first date. Heh. I’ll bet you like Harold and Maude, too.
Yes I do!
"To live, I will die." - Gustav Mahler
Love that
Here's one with some 'Sleep Hollow' resonance:
https://drgvloewen.substack.com/p/a-speculative-spectrality
Thank you for sharing, indeed it does fit right in here!
Your essays always make me pause and reflect, and this one was no different. I really appreciated how you described "how we might plan to die in order to more freely live." It’s such an important perspective—thinking about death actually makes me think more about how I want to live with greater intention. In other words, like you said, "This is all an exercise in exerting control when we feel otherwise powerless. Of giving meaning to things that only matter because we decide they do." It’s a powerful reminder that preparing for death is really about reflecting on how we choose to live. Thanks for sharing this—it really got me thinking, as always:)
Thank you, when faced with external disaster at least we can manage our own little universes (slightly)
I love you and your plans and words and ideas but can I hire you to do what you did for yourself for me as I feel totally overwhelmed just by picking up my prescriptions and returning library books let alone to write my will (which I really need to do) or make a thumb drive of emergency items 😂😭 but seriously your list is helpful, another nudge in the right direction if only I can find the time/headspace/drive…
Funny because I can do some big things like this MUCH easier than manage the little things I'd rather die than do, like daily errands you describe, or cutting my toenails, or dusting. So maybe we can trade and you can also help me with those things, ha. Distraction is really what fuels me since I hate repetitive tasks.