Maybe the life without meaning is just a transitional thing. To suddenly (well, that's how it happened for me) lose faith you've always had can leave you feeling empty, vulnerable, anxious and depressed, particularly when you're in a sort of no man's land between faith and no faith. You lose your belief in God, and then you lose your immortality, your seeing your parents and other loved ones after they/we die, an illusion of security. It's a lot to process.

I feel this way and think it's a temporary thing, at least for me. It's just trying to find meaning and purpose post-belief in god as well as deal with the guilt feelings of letting others down. Some of us are just too damn sensitive. But there are resources available. I have a ton of books to read about purpose and meaning for those who don't believe. I'm determined to make the next half of my life (well, I'm being optimistic) better than the first, and certainly more peaceful with less baggage. I'm going to find a passion, a work that I can immerse myself in.

I had an aggressive form of breast cancer at 39, but caught it early. Several other friends with cancer at about the same age are no longer here. I've been cancer-free for 11 years now, but it's always in the back of my mind that it could return. I'm 50 now, and in the last year I was also diagnosed with mild neurocognitive disorder. The docs have told me it may be a dementia process. If it is, I probably have limited time until I'm no longer aware. So yes, I really want to get out there and live BIGGER. Make memories now that my boyfriend at least will have and maybe I will, too.

I'm also coming to the realization that for me, relationships are the most important thing in life. This one is tough because I'm an introvert and a loner, but I'm gonna push through it and make more rich friendships. I'm determined to lose the religious baggage and view life as an exciting, awesome opportunity and get OUT there and do more things.

I have struggled with depression and anxiety for most of my teens and only recently got out of my depression. I have also struggled with almost schizo-effective delusions of some sort of devil or demon antagonizing me daily from smoking weed when I was younger. As an atheist, losing my faith was a heavy blow for me, as of course if God really did exist that seems to be the ultimate pursuit of mankind. Of course losing that led me to terrible emptiness for many years. I have not been so lucky in the mental/emotional aspects of my life. However, I have still kept true to my beliefs despite the crazy notions my subconscious throws at me every day, and despite the spouters of nonsense hurling grandiose lies about how I should live to fix myself. I’m not perfect, but I am also in many ways stronger for it. Death to me is half tantalizing escape and half a terrifying abrupt end. I’m too young to really consider my life fulfilled yet, haha. I want to be with my friends and family and those who care about me for as long as I can, and hopefully there will come a day when I feel ok with passing away. Of course death brings an end to my consciousness, which is a terrifying prospect to me at least. I have biological urges to survive and live on ingrained deep into me. To hear some of you talk about how wholly unafraid of death you are makes me gasp in amazement. I wish I was as brave as some of you in this sense.