Have you ever wondered how your funeral would be? This might seem like a strange exercise, but for Marianne, it was part of her journey to become more selfless. Inspired by the advice in “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen Covey, she believed that being good to others leads to happiness.

For Marianne, imagining her own funeral became a breaking point. In her vision, only a few people attended, and she had taken her own life at 42. This, along with the pressure to decide how to spend her remaining years, triggered a month-long depressive episode.

Concerned, Marianne’s sister urged her to visit a trusted friend, Gemma, in Ireland. Instead of seeking medical help, Marianne initially chose to work through it on her own. However, spending time with Gemma and later talking to a compassionate cab driver, who shared similar experiences, brought comfort. The driver believed Marianne wasn’t trying to be better but seeking the freedom to exist without fear or anxiety.