Reflection on Life, in the Light of Mortality Awareness

Mortality is the fact of life, yet we as collective human species relate to it in (multidimensional) fearful ways (Cozzolino et al., 2013). Subsequently, in an attempt to proof ourselves from this death induced anxiety and fear, we have adapted to denying or avoiding our mortality to us, thus living in a death-buffer system. (Cave, 2013)However, emerging experimental evidence suggests that if we relate to our mortality such that we do not deny or avoid it, but are aware of it, it can result in human enhancement in many possible ways. It can lead to substantial benefits such as bolstered important positive components of the self, greater well-being, and stronger, personally valued self that is conceived with clarity and that has inner meaning and purpose. Besides that, it can also lead to positive existential growth, enhanced meaning in life and can generate a recalibration and prioritization of life goals (Cozzolino et al., 2013). Hence, it was inferred that even if we as individuals have been living well up till now within the death-buffer system, being able to tweak our relationship with mortality in the possible & appropriate directions can help us leverage its benefits and further the enhancement of our life quality we are living presently. Thereby, it was deemed as a relevant topic to explore, and a promising upcoming opportunity to design for in this project.As mentioned above, there are many possible enhancement opportunities that come forth with mortality awareness. However the one that was identified and finalized for this project (through field exploration) was ‘to evoke reflection on life regarding recalibration of life goals’. Hence, the concept and the final design is an attempt to create such reflection on life in the light of mortality awareness.Design for Interactio