Should I Be Afraid of Dying or Just Curious?

Understanding the Fear of Death

Death is, without a doubt, the most universal thing we all have in common — and yet, it's also the biggest unknown. So yeah, being afraid of it? Totally normal. But let’s break it down a bit.

Why Do We Fear It in the First Place?

The fear of dying often isn’t about death itself, but about the loss it brings:

• Loss of experiences

• Separation from loved ones

• Fear of pain or suffering

• Not knowing what comes next (or if anything comes at all)

There’s even a word for it: thanatophobia — the fear of death or dying. Some people have it in passing thoughts; for others, it's this huge weight they carry around daily.

Quick story: I had a roommate in college who used to keep a "death journal." I know, sounds dark. But for him, it was actually freeing — he'd jot down fears, regrets, questions. And strangely, it helped him live more freely.

Is It Rational to Be Afraid of Dying?

The Biological Angle

Yep, from a purely evolutionary standpoint, fear of death is built in. It keeps us alive. Our brains are wired to avoid danger, pain, and the unknown. So when we flinch at the idea of death — that's just our survival system doing its job.

But that same mechanism? Sometimes it overreacts. We start fearing death even when there’s no real risk around. Just the thought becomes enough to trigger anxiety.

Philosophical Take

Many philosophers (from Epicurus to Camus) argue that fearing death doesn’t actually make logical sense. Epicurus once said:

“When we are, death is not. And when death is, we are not.”
It’s weirdly comforting, right? The idea being: you won’t experience death — only dying, and even that might be brief.

Religion, Spirituality, and the Afterlife

Faith-Based Views

If you believe in an afterlife — heaven, reincarnation, the great beyond — death might feel more like a transition than an end. In those cases, fear gives way to hope, or at least a sense of peace.

But what if you're not religious? Or you're just not sure?

The Uncertain Path

Then you’re in the club with most of humanity. Uncertainty is scary, no doubt. But it can also be… freeing? Some people say not knowing gives this life more meaning. Others say it's terrifying. And some days, we flip between the two — and that’s okay.

How to Cope with the Fear (Without Ignoring It)

Talk About It (Yes, Really)

One of the best ways to soften the fear is to say it out loud. To a friend, a therapist, even to yourself in the mirror. Death is still this huge taboo in lots of cultures, which makes it even scarier.

But talking breaks that spell a bit. It makes it feel real, but less monstrous.

Practice Presence

Cheesy? Maybe. Useful? Absolutely. Mindfulness, meditation, deep breathing — all of it helps you focus on what’s happening now, instead of spiraling into some imagined future.

There’s a quote I love (wish I knew who said it):

“Every fear of death is a fear of unlived life.”

That one stuck with me.

Make Peace with Regret

A lot of death anxiety comes from unfinished business. Not having said “I love you.” Not chasing a dream. If that’s what’s keeping you up at night, maybe it’s a nudge — not just fear.

Take the risk. Say the thing. Book the trip.

So... Should You Be Afraid of Dying?

Short answer? No — but it’s okay if you are.

Fear is human. It means you care. It means you’re alive. But living in that fear all the time? That’s where it steals from you.

Try this instead: let it be a reminder. A quiet whisper that says,

“Hey. You’re still here. What do you want to do with it?”

And that question — way more powerful than the fear itself.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.