What If Death Steals You? Did you live a worthwhile life? Are You Sure?

Mary T.

1/7/2026

Ever thought of this inevitable fate of death swooping in and taking you away today? What would you do? Would you look back and think, “Wow, I totally nailed this whole life thing”? Are you really sure you nailed it? To what standard? It’s a wild thought, right?

A LIFELINEthat’s what I’ve been shouting into the void, hoping God or the Universe hears me. Seriously, I just want to feel alive again.

This past few weeks, showing up for life has been really tough. Oh, you too? Cheers!

Really, I don’t know if it’s just me, my circumstances, the fact that I lost two family members in the last two months, or the pressures of work and family. Maybe it’s that I have no clue what to do with my life, feeling like I’m just taking up space in this world. Or perhaps I’m just so overwhelmed that I need a serious break from all this burnout. Honestly, I can’t pinpoint where this feeling of emptiness is coming from, but I definitely know I’m exhausted. Like, ALL. THE. TIME. And that’s not even an exaggeration.

I mean, with every little responsibility that pops up, all I want to do is escape to a deserted island with a never-ending supply of food, money, and skin care products. I know— it’s a delusion. I’ve even caught myself wondering if I’d be okay with death crashing my party right now. Have I really lived? Was all of this even worth it? I bet you’ve thought about this too.

In the midst of our daily routines, jobs, and those never-ending to-do lists, I can’t help but ask: what if I just let go and enjoyed life for a change?

Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful to be here. I know it’s all a privilege and I know I’m lucky. But come on, I’m human! I’m just trying to survive, and I know I’ll bounce back with grace. But right now, my quest for ikigaithat sweet spot where passion and purpose collidefeels like an elusive treasure. This tired existence is definitely not the vibe I’m going for. So, I keep tossing my requests for a lifeline into the universe, hoping for a spark to light up my days.

As I mull over these heavy thoughts WE ALL FEEL SO CHALLENGING TO SHARE TO ANYBODY, I challenge you to do the same silent reflection. Are you really living, or just going through the motions? What lifelines can you grab onto to reignite your joy? Life’s too short to just existbut how do we make it count? There’s no manual to life and it’s exhausting.

I know I’m helping myself just by writing and posting this right now, and I really appreciate that about myself. It’s all about the conscious steps we take to keep moving forwardwhether they’re big or small. Every little action counts.

In the end, it’s not just about surviving; it’s about thriving. How about you? What little steps can you take today to find your joy? Please act on it. You deserve better. We all do in any way, type or form.

Here’s a tulip I can share. Enjoy!

Original Published on Medium: