What happens after death?

[Fishkiss]

Hello,

I'm going through therapy to help me cope with my thanatophobia (fear of death). I'm terrified of hospitals, doctors, sharp things, guns, gore. I'm constantly living in fear. I'm in sophomore high, and I'm taking a Health II class. I live with 3 smokers that smoke in the house, and now I'm afraid to get lung cancer because a book told me I could. The likelihood is really low because I avoid the smoke, but I can't help it. People tell me to believe in that God will be there for me, and everything will be okay. There's a part of me that is so terrified of this idea of the 'void,' and the so-called 'nothingness,' that it's tearing me apart and I don't know what to do about it.

I want to believe in life after death, but there's no evidence. I want to believe in heaven, but there's no evidence. Maybe I just need someone to talk to. I'm new to this forum, and a friend would be really great right now. 

Thank you!

You can take solace in the fact death will cure your fear of death!  As someone who also is very anti-dying, I don't think there's a way around it.  In your mind exists a future in which you exist.  Death takes away that future and replaces it with nothingness.  It's scary and sad.  But it's also inevitable.  Enjoy life while you can, and cross your fingers maybe you'll get a good 80 years.   

I think acceptance and trying not to dwell on it are as good as it gets.  Maybe an air purifier in your room?  Do those work on smoke?

Yes I recently bought an air purifier! I think its helping, and thank goodness I'm moving out in a week! I'll still have to visit every other weekend, but it'll help. I'm moving with my dad and he doesn't smoke, and I'm very excited. I've only really lived here for 4 years, and the house isn't exactly a poker room. You can see inside, but I can smell it on my clothes and the ceilings are light brown. They've lived in this house for 50+ years, and I don't think they're going to stop smoking in it, unfortunately. I'm very lucky to be moving!

Thank you for your kind words. I'm trying hard to accept death and live peacefully.