Would You Want To Know Your Death Date?

This is a random question that a lot of people ask each other to break the ice, to pass the time, or simply to engage in a friendly conversation. It is a question I found when looking for prompts for an article, and one I thought interesting enough to answer as it is thought-provoking and honestly, a little scary.

As much as I would like to say I know what the majority of people would answer, I don’t; in fact, most of the people I’ve asked this question to have had split responses. Some would love to know, as it gives them time to live their best life or tick things off of their bucket lists. Others, though, despite the idea of it, as it would put pressure on them to make the best of their life while they’re still here. It would be in the back of their mind constantly, urging them to do things they may not normally do. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but some people may find it to be; they don’t want to be pressured to do things or to live a life they wouldn’t have otherwise. This is one of those questions that doesn’t have a definitive right or wrong answer, nor a majority answer, really. This question depends on the individual and their thoughts about death.

This is a question I’ve been asked many times before, and I’ve never really known the answer. This is for a couple of reasons, such as personal conflict, but also because I’ve had a couple of questions about this question. I hope that makes sense.

One: I’ve been curious as to how the death date works. Is it unchanging? As in, no matter what happens, or no matter what you do, your death date is set and will not change? Or will it change based on your decisions/choices?

Two: If my death date is set, does that mean I am basically invincible until that day? I may experience minor injuries, but nothing that could kill me, I suppose, is what I’m asking.

Three: are you told just the date of your death, or will you also be told how you will die? Or where — as in, what location? At home? At work? I know the question specifically mentions the date itself with no reference whatsoever about the cause, but I’ve always been curious anyway since the two kind of go hand-in-hand.

If I were to assume that the death date was unchanging despite any decision or choices I make, then I think I might want to know. I have watched far too many True Crime documentaries, and now I fear that I could be a predator’s next victim. When I am out by myself, I have a whistle and pepper spray to accompany me, and I constantly look behind me. I stare into the reflections of windows as I pass by them, peeking behind me, and I listen closely to noises around me, such as footsteps. I was taught to never let my guard down and to protect myself.

But if I knew that my death date would not change no matter what and I’d be practically invincible until then, I think I would like to know. I wouldn’t have to worry about anything until that date, and I might be able to shed some of the anxiety I currently feel. Anything I can do to rid of my anxiety is absolutely welcome.

However, if the previous things were true, but I knew how I was going to die, I wouldn’t want to know any of it. When one knows of how they are intended to die, they try to stop it from occurring — whether on purpose or not. Sometimes, this rebellion, for lack of a better term, is subconscious, and we may not realize what we’re doing. I wouldn’t want to do that because one never knows the consequences; perhaps Death will come for you sooner, for example. You never know. But, I just don’t want to know in general; knowing how I’ll die is more terrifying to me than learning of the date itself. I’d really rather not know that part.

Overall, I think if I could know the date of my death, I would not want to know unless I was guaranteed that I couldn’t die until that date specifically. However, if I would also be told how I was going to die, I would not want to know. I’m far too terrified for that.

Let me know in the comments below if you’d like to know death date or how you’ll die. I’d love to hear your opinions!