If you’re on my tres popular newsletter, by now, you know me. You know I’m always up for a good challenge – not just up for it, but I kinda need it. We’re the same, you and I, we both get SO BORED without a hardy task at hand.  

Sometimes I want a superficial challenge, a la styling a bookshelf in my apartment in such a way that a steady rotation of white doves fly to my windowsill just to peer in at the soothing perfection of the finished product. 

Sometimes I want a legit challenge, a la writing a book that people will actually buy AND read AND be so deeply glad they read.  

Occasionally, I’m up for an Olympic-level challenge, a la being quiet and not saying anything when a certain someone in my life does that certain something that no one else understands why it’s so annoying because they don’t have my essential four hour backstory on why it’s so annoying to me. (I know you can relate.)

Today I’m somewhere in between all of the above. I’m going to talk about death in a fun, ‘Reese Witherspoon circa 2002’ way. It’s a nice challenge, watch me do it in the next 10 seconds! 

In the first five seconds, you’re going to read that I’m incredibly into the death positivity movement.

As a therapist, I have the privilege of listening to people’s inner-most thoughts and feelings and I don’t think there’s a subject more avoided than death.

Understandably, we don’t like thinking about death, except maybe in packaged euphemisms involving sugary confections, “Life is short, order dessert!”

But watch this funny video on the  7 Habits of Highly Effective Death Positive People, not just because it will save you from the intolerable tedium of small talk for at least the next three weeks (you’re welcome) but because there’s a new, expansive, gratitude-based way to think about death, which may just help you understand how to better celebrate life.  

Ok, my ten seconds are up! Challenge completed. Someone has already talked about this gem of a subject in a way I love, so I won’t be adding “reinventing the wheel” to my to-do list today.

I will, however, be asking you if you want your inbox bedazzled once a month with a note straight from me? Everyone who gets my newsletter is always like, “WHY DIDN’T ANYONE TELL ME ABOUT THIS SOONER?!” (You’ll see.)

Last thing – if you follow me on Insta, you might already know that @yergoing2die is my favorite account. It’s infused with beautiful and sharp reminders that our time here is temporary, and that choosing meaningful relationships and endeavors is the ultimate way to honor your life, and the lives of the people who are no longer here with us (at least not physically, anyway).

Oh I almost forgot, Happy Halloween!

Author(s)

  • Katherine Schafler

    NYC-based psychotherapist, writer and speaker.

    Katherine earned her Bachelor’s degree in psychology at UC Berkeley before obtaining two Masters from Columbia University, one focused on clinical assessment and the other on psychological counseling. Additionally, she completed post-graduate training and certification at the Association for Spirituality and Psychotherapy in NYC.