Readers have responded to a recent Guardian article on end-of-life expertise, arguing that contemplating death can lead to a more fulfilling life. The original piece, published on 13 August, explored insights from end-of-life experts on living well, including advice to love wrinkles, celebrate birthdays, and avoid obsessing over work. In letters to the Guardian, two readers shared their perspectives on how mortality can sharpen our focus on what truly matters.
Preparing for death as a path to clarity
Rebecca Jo-Rushdy, an end-of-life doula from Edinburgh, noted that a terminal diagnosis often brings sudden clarity. She observed that urgent concerns tend to fall away, while relationships, memories, unfinished conversations, and the question of legacy become profoundly important. However, she argued that people should not wait for a diagnosis to begin this reflective work.
Jo-Rushdy suggested that “getting our affairs in order” is often seen as purely practical—writing a will, sorting passwords, or deciding what happens to possessions. Yet she emphasised a deeper human dimension: asking what matters, what we want our family to know, and what stories, photographs, objects, or values we wish to pass on. She also highlighted the importance of letting go of unnecessary burdens to ease the load on loved ones.
Creating a joyful legacy
The doula described this process as “creating a joyful legacy.” Decluttering, when approached with this mindset, becomes more than tidying a home; it is a way to make space for the life we are living while easing the task for those who may one day sort through our belongings. Jo-Rushdy referenced the article’s reminder that none of us knows how much time we have, and she offered a loving response to that uncertainty: “not to fear death, but to use its inevitability as an invitation.” She encouraged readers to “say the thing, mend the relationship, celebrate the birthday, sort the photographs, share the story – and then get on with living.”
Personal experience of mortality
Jane Andrew from Perth shared her own experience, having recently recovered from major cancer surgery. She said the article “rang very true” and that being forced to embrace her mortality helped her find what truly shines in ordinary life. She quoted EM Forster: “Death destroys a man: the idea of Death saves him.”
Both readers’ letters were submitted in response to the Guardian’s invitation for opinions on published articles, with the newspaper considering them for its letters section. The correspondence highlights a growing conversation about how confronting mortality can reshape priorities, deepen relationships, and enhance everyday appreciation.
