What Happens When You Die—and Why That Question Matters
- Sean Greenspan
- Sep 11
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 15
What happens when you die?
I don’t know.
Actually, I think I do know, but since I can’t prove it, it’s not worth debating here. What is worth talking about is why the question matters.
Regardless of what you believe—whether death is the end, whether there’s an afterlife with judgment, or whether consciousness continues through reincarnation or spirit—simply asking the question gives weight to the present moment.
If you believe nothing happens, then life is scarce. Consciousness is fleeting. That belief puts urgency on the experience of being alive.
If you believe in judgment, then your choices today carry eternal significance.
If you believe in reincarnation or a spirit that carries on, your current actions still matter because they shape what comes next.
No matter the framework, the question leads back to the same place: what you do right now matters.
Spending Time, Money, and Energy
When I think about how I should spend my life, the word “spend” always catches me. We use it constantly for money, but rarely for time or attention—even though those are the things we spend most.
Think about how much time and attention are wasted on TV, arguments, mindless scrolling, or meaningless tasks. Spending means letting go of something, and ultimately, we only have three things to let go of:
Time
Money
Energy (which can often be exchanged with attention)
Most people spend the majority of their time chasing money. Then they spend what’s left trying to enjoy life or extend time through working out, eating healthy, and managing health.
Very few people deliberately invest in gaining more energy and attention—through practices like rest, meditation, or nurturing loving relationships. Yet those are the things that can fuel us most deeply.
A Weekly Analysis
Something I’m going to start doing is a weekly analysis of how I’ve spent my time. I want to color-code my week by time, money, energy, or squandered.
Why? Because if life really is a kind of transaction, there should be a traceable output for each input—an ROI. And ROI doesn’t just apply to money.
Pouring into a relationship, for example, doesn’t mean expecting something in return. It means making the whole stronger, which ultimately feeds more energy into both people.
What’s a Quality Life?
One way to get clarity is to imagine extremes:
A lot of money, but no time or energy. Is that a good life? That feels like a wealthy person in cognitive decline.
A lot of time, but no money or energy. That feels like an elderly person with poor health, sitting on savings.
A lot of energy and attention, but no time or money. That actually feels like the best option—because energy is what allows us to enjoy and create.
A lot of time and energy, but no money. This might be the optimal balance, giving you the ability to both live well and build a future.
A lot of time and money, but no energy. Probably the worst case—you can’t use either.
Through this lens, energy and attention emerge as the most valuable currencies.
Philosophy Made Practical
Philosophy can sometimes feel abstract or overwhelming. But this way of thinking is practical. It forces you to ask:
What do I do right now?
What do I do tonight?
What do I do tomorrow morning?
How do I actually spend my life?
If we study these questions long enough to feel clear, we can embed the answers into our DNA. Then, even our unconscious choices will align with what we believe matters most.
You can explore more of my blog here!
Or just hang out and feel a little more of that happiness energy here!
Make sure you don’t miss the latest stories, reflections, and updates along the way!
Comments