You only live once, so you should try to make your only life as good as you can.

And living with health problems - even if that meant you would have a shorter life - can suck much more than if you just lived without them.

I can think of some things. The first is that there’s a real chance that, if you are living an unhealthy lifestyle, it is likely actively fueling the depressed-sounding state of mind you seem to be in. I know when things seem hopeless it’s hard to want to try, but it’s the successes in small decisions like that which can help us claw our way out of these pits.

The next is that relying on the “next incarnation” is wishful thinking that, I think there is a stronger case to be made that it’s more likely to be disappointing than it is an improvement. We don’t know how many realities there are, we don’t know how many of them we would ever see (or if we could ever see others) after death, or whether or not there is anything of “us” after death to experience anything in the future. But if we’re seeing the one world we do know is there, getting worse, then whatever else there is or what we can experience, we now know the total amount of them has gotten worse by this much. Put into more simple terms, we lay in the bed we make. What if you reincarnate/rebirth into a factory-farmed cow for example? There’s only one sure-fire way to reduce the odds of that happening - making the choices that lead to fewer factory farmed cows coming into existence.

Death is not an escape. There is no escape. The only way out is through.

Then the other thing that has fueled some of my own decisions, is that we promote what we do, to others. If I were to smoke cigarettes for example, I would be making it more likely that those in my life, the people I care about, would be more likely to also start smoking. From that point of view, literally every choice we make has consequences that probably shouldn’t be taken lightly.

I do but I can’t afford it. So I ignore it. I have a lot of shit I would get looked at if I could. Like some sort of pinched nerve feeling in my abdomen that makes my right boi holler. Or my teeth. Or my back. I’d honestly go for regular checkups if I could.

I do as well as I can in an enjoyable way to keep myself somewhat stable. Like I’ve been riding my bike on the trail lately* and I enjoy cooking** for myself. I’ll sometimes drink soda, but honestly I think if the sugar were halved I would probably enjoy it more (or just… some dessert is probably less sugar). Even though I guess subsidies make sugar cheaper than water.

I’ll sweep the floor because I don’t want to walk on dirt. Though yeah, I’m probably stuck here more than others.

* mostly to go outside (with not many good destinations I can viably reach), though I can make it to a local grocery store for a few things

** mostly sautéed vegetables, squash/celery/mushrooms/carrots/onions etc, spinach on sandwiches and recently have tried cooking chard

What’s worse than living in a dystopia? Living in a dystopia with a major medical issue.

Spoken like a very young person. The problem is not as much the dying as what comes before it. Most people don’t just drop dead. For most unhealthy people, it is years and years of suffering from various ailments as soon as you get to a certain age.

I can’t disagree that things are shit, but that’s not a reason to treat yourself like shit. Even if you don’t have a long life, going to the grave with tense af shoulders isn’t comfortable either. If you’re able, stretching and walking in the sunshine will at least add some comfort. Nothing is good but that’s no excuse to be an accelerationist to destroy your body.

Maybe my next incarnation will be better.

If I have to live a whole 'nother life after this one, I’m gonna be pissed.

Take it from someone who agreed with you 30 years ago: the health you ignore today will only cause you more pain, more stress, and more cost down the road. Even if you don’t live a long life, what life you do live will be a lot harder to enjoy if you’re not healthy.

As someone who is handicapped through no fault of my own, it fills me with sorrow that you feel this way. Self-harm through neglect is no way to live.

My handicap initially left me with no way to walk for nearly 2 years. No doctor would touch my case. My kid literally could not hug me. I was dependent on so many people during that time and could barely take care of anyone else.

I cannot tell you what to do… but I’m probably not going to live very long anyway (thank you, genetics!), so I’d like to encourage you to find purpose. I found my purpose in creation by sewing, and it brings me overwhelming joy. My goal is to continue creating things to spread that joy to others.

If that doesn’t convince you, please know this: there are evil, shitty people in power out there who revel in your self-destruction and actively want you to destroy yourself. Please do not let them win. Continue to do your best in order to spite them and help people who aren’t so fortunate.

Trust me. Being healthy feels great. In my early twenties I used to do all the drugs, smoked and drank every day. I didn’t have any obvious health issues, but I can tell you now, that being fit and healthy feels so much better. I used to feel pretty miserable, but now I feel like I can do anything. Self care is important for self love. You can still be happy, even with all the shit going on, but you need to look after yourself.

I disagree 100%.

If you’re an American, in this health care system, you’ve got to be minding your health as much as possible. It can get much, much, much worse.

Becoming healthy is tough and can suck. But being healthy is its own reward. I really enjoy eating clean, lifting weights, going on hikes in nature, etc. You can find joy in life through healthy living. YMMV if you don’t have the right attitude though ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Tell me you’re young and reasonably healthy without telling me yadda yadda

There comes an age where health is not a matter of choice. You do it or you suffer whatever years you stay alive, which can be surprisingly long. If you’re healthy for your age, don’t squander it, you will regret it as early as your 50s, if not a bit sooner.

You’ve heard 30-somethings joke about bad knees and back pain? That’s nothing, chump. You’ll know it when even sleeping hurts.

Just the opposite.

With the potential of medical expenses rising, medication costs going up, insurance becoming shittier (if you’ll be able to afford it at all), staying healthy to continue to earn a paycheck (that is a depressing phrase), the potential of wide spread violence, I think its imperative to be as healthy and strong as you can be.

You may also find yourself in a position where you’re the only one you can count on and if you are sickly, and weak then it will make things that much worse. Or you may find yourself in a position to help someone that has less ability to move and you’ll need to be in good health for their sake.