Why the deaths of our favourite celebs hit us so hard

Let’s face it, 2016 was a bad year for losing some of our favourite celebrities.

From David Bowie to Prince to Leonard Cohen, Florence Henderson, George Michael, Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds – they were the personalities we grew up with, listened to, watched on TV and admired.

Some of them were unexpected, they hit us from out of left field and left us shell-shocked and in mourning.

So, why is it that the deaths of these celebrities can hit us so hard?

Why do we shed tears for people we never actually personally knew?

Well, the answer comes down to our own mortality – after all we’re not getting younger.

The deaths of our favourite celebrities, some of whom were younger than us, remind us that even the wealthiest, most loved, strongest, most beautiful and most famous people aren’t invincible.

It reminds us that we too could be gone tomorrow, after all life is short!

But it also raises another issue. A reminder that everyone around us – our parents, our siblings, our friends – might not be here tomorrow either.

One of the biggest causes of depression and loneliness as we get older can be the deaths of our peers – the loved ones around us who are of a similar age.

And that’s what the death of a celebrity can do to our thinking.

We often think of them like they’re our friends, like we know them. They become part of our lives, part of our memories and losing that can be very sad. It reminds us of days gone by.

The sad thing is, in 2017 we’re bound to lose more of our favourite celebrities.

It is only natural after all, they’re getting older too!

So, this is all very grim and depressing.

What’s the take home message? What solace can we find in understanding why we feel the way we do?

Well, losing celebrities can also remind us that we need to take life granted. It reminds us that no matter who we are, we aren’t getting out of here alive so we may as well live life to the fullest and love those around us.

Every time we think back to all the good memories these personalities have given us, we should smile and be grateful for each day we still have left.

What do you think? Can you relate to this? Do you agree?