Subtitles section Play video
-
I think about death a lot.
-
Whether it's ruminating over my sister's suicide and wondering what happened to her,
-
or just looking around at the people here and knowing that we're all temporary.
-
- Ew, gross. There's a fly in my water. - Someday, we'll all be a fly in water.
-
Or wondering how I'm gonna die.
-
Let me know if you ever want me to come to your house... just for fun.
-
She's gonna wear my skin. This is the last face I will ever see.
-
I think being mindful of death helps you truly live because it shifts everything into perspective.
-
You don't sweat the small stuff as much, it motivates you to do what you truly want to do,
-
and you start measuring your happiness by experiences, and how fulfilling your relationships are.
-
And sure, sometimes it becomes incredibly overwhelming, and you have to lay in bed,
-
and just wonder what the point of all of this is, but it's impacted my life in beautiful ways.
-
Thinking about death has made me a more present human being because it's a constant reminder that tomorrow is not a guarantee.
-
It makes me want to be a more compassionate and giving person because when you're confronted with the idea of your own mortality, you have to ask yourself:
-
like, what mark do I want to leave on this world?
-
How do I want to measure my self-worth and what is gonna make my life meaningful?
-
And knowing how impermanent and small I am in comparison to the vastness of the universe,
-
I've kind of come to the conclusion that I would define my life a success if I made meaningful art that inspired people,
-
if I helped as many animals and human beings as I could, and if I had incredibly loving relationships with my friends and family.
-
Being so obsessed with death at such an early age actually forced me to create a life philosophy, and I encourage you to do the same.
-
This is one sentence that you can live your entire life by,
-
it's like your thesis statement or a mantra that resonates with you that you can come back to again and again when life's finalities trick you into thinking you're going to be here forever.
-
Spoiler alert: You're not.
-
Mine is, and has been for like the last fifteen years: I love, therefore I am.
-
Let me know what your life philosophy is. I would love to hear it.
-
I'm Anna Akana. Stay uh...
-
right here for a beautifully animated sponsored message from miss Bethany Radloff for Squarespace.
-
I want to say thank you to Squarespace for sponsoring today's episode.
-
Squarespace has beautiful award-winning templates and with their all-in-one platform. There's no install upgrades or patches ever.
-
They also have 24-hour customer service that you can call from whatever afterlife you believe in.
-
If you don't have a domain, don't worry. They offer a simple and unique setup experience.
-
And you can use squarespace to create any kind of website,
-
whether you're an artist, a photographer, or the Grim Reaper advertising your inevitable services.
-
Go to SquareSpace.com to start your free trial today and use the offer code Anna for 10% off at checkout.
-
Squarespace. We're all gonna die.