Reasons to Remember Death

It isn’t macabre or nihilistic to think of death. It’s the start of a proper, braver engagement with the possibilities of life.

FURTHER READING

"For centuries, artists produced ‘memento mori’, works of art that would remind their viewers of death and usually featured a skull or an hourglass.

The point of these works wasn’t to make people despair, but to help them use the thought of death to focus on the real priorities. Vivid reminders of mortality and the transient nature of life put our prosaic obsessions into question. When measured against the finality of death, the true insignificance of some of our worries is emphasised and we’re given an opportunity to feel a little braver about what we really want and feel...."

MORE SCHOOL OF LIFE

Watch more films on SELF in our playlist:

SOCIAL MEDIA

Feel free to follow us at the links below:

CREDITS

Produced in collaboration with Lois de Silva

[robn]

I was in a motorcycle accident once and I remember flying through the air and the fear was horrible. Then out of no where I totally accepted that I was going to die and it was one of the calmest moments I can remember feeling in my 40 years of life. Then I hit the ground slid for about 20 meters and got up and walked away without a scratch. I actually know what it feels like to accept death in its entirety and it is the most peaceful expirirence, however I still don't look forward to it.

The worst part of the whole thing was after I got up and realized I was alive and fine, I suddenly went into what I can only describe as a panic attack, where I suddenly felt numb and like rubber, shaking almost to the point of convulsions. The realization that I was alive was worse than the split second where I accepted and welcomed my death.

[Kribaca]

This is, in my opinion, the best video you've ever made. Thank you.

[DJNHmusic]

I study medicine. I've just recently started working at the clinic. When you see all the morbidity, suffering and death, at first you feel a strange surge of hopelessness and fatalism, the sense that everything will eventually pass. But after reason takes over it feels an invigorating breeze of new motivation to live life how you want to and to be happy because when all is said and done, that's the best you can do. So to everyone reading this, be the best and happiest version of yourself and don't let ANYONE tell you that you should be anything less.

Tick-tock.

[SlickepinnenY]

"The meaning of life is that it stops."
-Franz Kafka

[alwindsor]

School of Life are seriously scaring me with how relevant they are to my current life. Bravo

[pravinda]

Damm, now I need to get myself a skull.

[idiot]

It's only Monday dude I can't do this

[thewonable]

I am 34, I'm also a funeral director. Nothing greater than the question of your own mortality to be a driving force towards accomplishments you truly desire.

[callofduty]

I had been contemplating using the fear of death as a motivator to truly live life. Recently my dog died and it has finally become a reality that I must live this way. This is the first time life close to me has left this planet. It made me realize that I was taking my loved ones for granted. I remember watching her last breathes, knowing that the chapter I had with her on this earth was coming to an end. I still cherish all the moments I shared with her, but you are absolutely right, death is a motivator to remind ourselves that nothing is a guarantee and that we need to appreciate each other as best as we can. That means putting our pride aside in order to become vulnerable. Our time is limited here. Thank you.

[marcusaurelius]

Memento Mori.
What a coincidence. The past days Ive always thought about death while lying in my bed before I fall asleep and while the thought of death terrified me and gave me one of the most uncomfortable feelings it motivated me in a rather strange way.
I started asking myself why I spend my time on useless meaningless tasks instead of doing what will benefit me and what really gives me a good feeling after Ive done it. I always believed thinking about death is a waste of time especially since Im only 16 years old/young but keeping in mind that we might die earlier than we assume is a powerful tool to keep yourself on the right track.

[Alex-jdhd]

This channel makes me feel old af and i'm only 17 :/

[ndoris]

As a mexican we have two memento mori in a year: the catholic ash wednesday when you get an ash cross in your forehead to remind you you're going to be ashes in the end, and the day of the dead when you can get a skull or a full skeleton made of sugar, paper or plastic with your name on it. I have a candle stick skull and a Catrina.
As a mostly poor and corrupt country we are really aware of our own mortality any given day.

[TerenceMichaelReeves]

Suddenly, and without warning, the market price of human skulls more than doubles as a result of increased demand.

[jlc]

"Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose" - Steve Jobs

[mmmmmmmm-vyye]

School of Life - Do you have an idea of why SO many people can relate to these videos about unfulfillment and fear? i.e. why is this so common that we can view it as a constant human tragedy? What makes the people who DO feel fulfilled and less fearful different from us?? I really want to know and you seem the right person to ask.

[TheMissendenFlyer]

A brilliant philosophy - thanks for the reminder....

[leonitvs]

My own death doesn't terrify me. It's the death of people important to me that does

[juliegoggins]

The theme of this video reminds me of one of my favorite Albert Camus quotes:

"Get scared. It will do you good. Smoke a bit, stare blankly at some ceilings, beat your head against some walls, refuse to see some people, paint and write. Get scared some more. Allow your little mind to do nothing but function. Stay inside, go out - I don’t care what you’ll do; but stay scared as hell. You will never be able to experience everything. So, please, do poetical justice to your soul and simply experience yourself."

[bradskurt]

I'm not scared to die, I can't wait for it, I'm scared of HOW I'll die.

[Lucuskane]

I just started this, last month! It's been wonderful. I have talked to just about every one in my family, went rock climbing and skydiving, got a motorcycle license and I'll be starting my PhD program next year.