Life is fleeting. It’s a truth we all know but rarely confront. Every single one of us is moving toward the same inevitable end. And while that might sound morbid, it’s also liberating. If you’re going to die anyway, why not take the risk? Why not try?
Why Facing Mortality Can Be Motivating
Fear of death is deeply ingrained in us. Psychologists refer to this as "mortality salience"—the awareness that we will someday die. While this knowledge can provoke anxiety, it also has the power to inspire us to live more intentionally. Research in existential psychology shows that reflecting on mortality sharpens our focus on what truly matters and gives us the courage to take meaningful action.
When we embrace the reality of our limited time, it can liberate us from three major constraints: 1) overthinking, 2) fear of failure, and 3) the need for external validation.
- Overthinking: Breaking Free from the Analysis Paralysis
Overthinking often stems from a desire to make the “perfect” choice. We analyse every possible outcome, fearing we might choose the wrong path. But when you confront the finite nature of life, the pressure to achieve perfection fades. Instead, the focus shifts to what feels meaningful and right in the moment.
Mortality forces us to acknowledge that inaction is the only truly wrong decision. Every second spent overthinking is a second lost. For example, if you’ve been debating whether to pursue a creative passion, reflecting on your mortality can push you to simply start. The act of doing—imperfectly, but with intention—carries more value than staying stuck in analysis.
- Fear of Failure: Redefining What It Means to Fail
Failure is often perceived as something to avoid at all costs. But when viewed through the lens of mortality, failure takes on a new meaning. If life is a one-way journey, every misstep is just another step forward. The lessons you gain from failing often outweigh the temporary discomfort it brings.
Imagine you’ve always wanted to start a business, but the fear of financial instability holds you back. By embracing the inevitability of death, you realise that the regret of never trying is far greater than the risk of falling short. Mortality reminds us that even our biggest failures are temporary. They’re not the end—they’re part of the process of growth, resilience, and discovery.
- Desire for External Validation: Finding Freedom in Authenticity
One of the most liberating aspects of facing mortality is the way it diminishes the need for external validation. When you understand that life is short, the opinions of others start to lose their weight. What truly matters is how aligned your actions are with your values—not whether they impress others.
For instance, you might choose to leave a high-profile career that looks impressive from the outside but feels hollow to you. Mortality empowers you to pursue what genuinely brings you joy and fulfilment, regardless of how it’s perceived by others. It shifts your focus from seeking approval to seeking meaning.
The Most Common Problems People Face
So, if embracing our own mortality can free us from overthinking, fear of failure, and the constant need for external validation, why do so many of us still hesitate to take action?
- The Illusion of Certainty
One of the biggest lies we tell ourselves is that there’s plenty of time. Time to change careers, to repair relationships, to chase our dreams. But the truth is, life offers no guarantees. The future is uncertain, and our mortality is a stark reminder of that.
My mum’s story drives this point home. She was diagnosed with cancer at just 25. Facing such a serious illness at a young age, having two children under 2, taught her—and me—not to take life for granted. I’m so grateful she survived, but the experience left a lasting impression on me that life is fragile and every moment matters.
Rather than a source of fear, death should be a wake-up call. Recognising that our time is limited helps us shed the trivial and focus on what truly matters. It propels us out of endless cycles of planning and procrastination, giving us permission to embrace the inevitable messiness of trying something new.
There’s no such thing as the “perfect” time to begin. Waiting for everything to fall into place is as futile as waiting for the tide to stop. Start where you are, with whatever you have. It won’t be flawless, but it will be real—and that’s what truly counts.
- The Cost of Playing It Safe
All too often, we choose comfort over growth. We stick with unfulfilling jobs, avoid pursuing our passions, or stay in draining relationships. Why? Because we fear change, failure, or rejection. But here’s the hard truth: playing it safe doesn’t shield you from regret—it ensures it.
This reality became personal to me through my palliative care research. In working with individuals at the end of their lives, I’ve heard countless expressions of regret. Time and again, people say they wish they’d taken more chances. Their deepest regrets aren’t about mistakes or failures—they’re about the risks they didn’t take and the dreams they never pursued. The refrain is hauntingly familiar: “I thought I had more time.”
Research supports these insights. Studies of people at the end of life reveal a consistent theme: their biggest regrets are not about the things they did wrong but about the opportunities they missed. Bronnie Ware, in her work with palliative care patients, found the most common regret to be, “I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.”
The Freedom of Accepting Failure
No one who has ever achieved anything meaningful has done so without stumbling along the way. Each misstep brings you closer to understanding what works and what doesn’t. It teaches you resilience, creativity, and humility.
When you accept that failure is part of the process, it loses its power to stop you. Instead of seeing it as something to avoid, you start to see it as a sign that you’re trying, learning, and growing. The real failure isn’t falling down—it’s never taking the leap in the first place.
How to Start Trying?
If the idea of embracing life’s uncertainty feels overwhelming, start small. Here are a few ways to begin:
- Ask Yourself What Matters Most: What are the things you’d regret not doing? What lights you up or gives your life meaning? Write them down and keep them somewhere visible.
- Take a Small Risk Every Day: Build your courage by stepping out of your comfort zone regularly. It could be something as simple as speaking up in a meeting or reaching out to someone new.
- Reflect on Your Mortality: Spend a few minutes each day reminding yourself that life is finite. Use this reflection as a way to prioritise what truly matters.
- Reframe Failure: Instead of thinking, "What if I fail?" ask yourself, "What will I learn?" Remember that every attempt, no matter the outcome, is a step forward.
- Celebrate Progress, Not Perfection: Acknowledge your efforts and growth, even if they don’t lead to immediate success. Progress is what matters.
At the end of the day, we’re all going to die. But before we do, we have the chance to live. To create, to connect, to grow, to experience. So why not take the leap? Why not try?
The clock is ticking. What will you do with the time you have left?