Healing your Mindset | Anna Watts | TEDxHowell High School

The speaker shares their lifelong fear of death, stemming from childhood experiences like their mother's cancer diagnosis and later losses to suicide. They highlight common questions people ask when grieving, revealing a widespread struggle with death. The speaker proposes a shift in perspective, moving from a negative, "locked mindset" to an optimistic, "open mindset" when viewing death, similar to seeing a glass as half full. This positive outlook, they argue, can lead to healthier coping mechanisms and improved mental health. They introduce the concept of a "glimmer" – a small, positive experience that counteracts triggers – as a tool for navigating sadness and appreciating life's moments, ultimately making death less frightening and a reminder to cherish time.