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Your To-Die-For Life: How to Maximize Joy and Minimize Regret . . . Before Your Time Runs Out
"A fun, fascinating, occasional iconoclastic, and life-changing read from start to finish. Exceptionally well written, and thoroughly 'reader/user' friendly in organization and effective in presentation.” —Midwest Book Review
Want to make sure you’re not just alive . . . but truly living? Start by contemplating your own death.
Wondering what a life well-lived looks like? Eager to live a life that’s richer, bolder, and more unapologetically YOU? Then it’s time to stop running from the truth that your life is finite—and start facing your mortality head-on.
Because nothing will motivate you to seize the day . . . more than realizing your days are numbered.
Karen Salmansohn, bestselling author of How to Be Happy, Dammit and a leading behavioral change expert went on her own “I’m-going-to-die” journey. And it made her life better. Way better. So she began sharing these tools with her clients, and their lives also began to bloom in amazing ways.
Science backs up the perks of mortality awareness. Studies show that when you embrace the fact that your time is limited, you stop wasting energy on nonsense—and start making choices that align with your deepest values.
In Your To-Die-For Life, Salmansohn shares a wide range of practical, research-based tools—to help you to dismantle your fears—and step into the life you were meant to live. You’ll discover how
Write your own eulogy: Sounds a little dark, right? But it's actually a genius way to reverse-engineer the life you want. Create a “to-die-for” list: Think of this as a “what matters most” list. You’ll learn how to better focus on what truly makes you come alive—and build simple micro-habits to bring more of that into your everyday life. Do a life audit: Let go of the clutter that’s draining your time, energy and attention.
Your To-Die-For Life is packed with a range of eye-opening studies, inspiring philosophical truths, and Salmansohn’s signature cheeky humor. She’ll make you laugh, she’ll make you think, and she’ll make you want to stop wasting time on things that don’t light you up.
Want to make sure you’re not just alive . . . but truly living? Start by contemplating your own death.
Wondering what a life well-lived looks like? Eager to live a life that’s richer, bolder, and more unapologetically YOU? Then it’s time to stop running from the truth that your life is finite—and start facing your mortality head-on.
Because nothing will motivate you to seize the day . . . more than realizing your days are numbered.
Karen Salmansohn, bestselling author of How to Be Happy, Dammit and a leading behavioral change expert went on her own “I’m-going-to-die” journey. And it made her life better. Way better. So she began sharing these tools with her clients, and their lives also began to bloom in amazing ways.
Science backs up the perks of mortality awareness. Studies show that when you embrace the fact that your time is limited, you stop wasting energy on nonsense—and start making choices that align with your deepest values.
In Your To-Die-For Life, Salmansohn shares a wide range of practical, research-based tools—to help you to dismantle your fears—and step into the life you were meant to live. You’ll discover how
Write your own eulogy: Sounds a little dark, right? But it's actually a genius way to reverse-engineer the life you want. Create a “to-die-for” list: Think of this as a “what matters most” list. You’ll learn how to better focus on what truly makes you come alive—and build simple micro-habits to bring more of that into your everyday life. Do a life audit: Let go of the clutter that’s draining your time, energy and attention.
Your To-Die-For Life is packed with a range of eye-opening studies, inspiring philosophical truths, and Salmansohn’s signature cheeky humor. She’ll make you laugh, she’ll make you think, and she’ll make you want to stop wasting time on things that don’t light you up.
256 pages, Paperback
Published July 22, 2025
27 people are currently reading
2326 people want to read
About the author
Karen Salmansohn
58 books100 followersKaren Salmansohn is a bestselling author (with 2 million books and courses sold), leading behavioral change expert, and columnist for Oprah and Psychology Today, as well as the founder of the popular personal development site NotSalmon.com, which has a vibrant community of 1.5 million followers. Her most recent book is "Your To-Die-For Life: How to Maximize Joy and Minimize Regret . . . Before Your Time Runs Out." She’s been sparking transformations in individuals and companies for a few decades and is passionate about digging deep and finding fascinating insights, tools, and studies from all areas of life, including psychology, Eastern and Western philosophy, neuroscience, quantum physics, and more.
She began writing “self-help for people who wouldn’t be caught dead doing self help” in 1999 with the bestseller How To Be Happy Dammit—the very first personal development book of its kind to have a feisty title, edgy humor, and stylish interior design, which paved the way for self-help authors to write irreverent personal development books. Since then, she’s written many bestsellers, including The Bounce Back Book and Think Happy. Now she’s excited to pioneer the mortality awareness movement by illuminating life’s most avoided conversation—death—and reminding others to live more bravely.
She began writing “self-help for people who wouldn’t be caught dead doing self help” in 1999 with the bestseller How To Be Happy Dammit—the very first personal development book of its kind to have a feisty title, edgy humor, and stylish interior design, which paved the way for self-help authors to write irreverent personal development books. Since then, she’s written many bestsellers, including The Bounce Back Book and Think Happy. Now she’s excited to pioneer the mortality awareness movement by illuminating life’s most avoided conversation—death—and reminding others to live more bravely.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
November 17, 2025
This is a Non Fiction. I read this book by listening to the audiobook from this book, and I did like this book's audiobook. I found parts of this book interesting, but I found this book repeated a lot. The repeating things drove me totally crazy. I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.
July 18, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of Your To-Die-For Life by Karen Salmansohn!
I really enjoyed the unique twist of this book—blending self-help with a lighthearted, yet powerful reflection on life and the fear of death. The author’s dry humor added a nice touch to such a deep topic. She has a way of reminding you that every day you’re alive is a gift—and not something to waste.
One of my favorite takeaways was the encouragement to stop putting things off and start living more intentionally. The book is full of helpful pointers on facing fears, preparing for the unexpected, and embracing the present moment so life doesn’t pass you by with regrets. Overall, I’d definitely recommend this book to friends and family.
I really enjoyed the unique twist of this book—blending self-help with a lighthearted, yet powerful reflection on life and the fear of death. The author’s dry humor added a nice touch to such a deep topic. She has a way of reminding you that every day you’re alive is a gift—and not something to waste.
One of my favorite takeaways was the encouragement to stop putting things off and start living more intentionally. The book is full of helpful pointers on facing fears, preparing for the unexpected, and embracing the present moment so life doesn’t pass you by with regrets. Overall, I’d definitely recommend this book to friends and family.
August 11, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance Audio for providing a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
There's nothing like getting hit in the face by life AND death. This book explores the idea that reminding yourself that your days are numbered will ultimately lead you to live a more fulfilling life. Want to stop doom scrolling and take a walk with your pup? Just think that you could die tomorrow. Want to go to the gym instead of binge watching a show on Netflix and snacking on chips? Just think that you could die tomorrow.
This was such an interesting concept. I've read a lot of self-help books on how to improve my life and be happier, but none of them talked about death as something that can take all your chances away. It's an obvious fact, but to have a self-help guru erase the taboo-ness of death talk to really get people to think about how they're living their lives is a creative way to go about it. Thinking about all the self-help books I've read in the past, I recall reading them and soaking them in and being like "wow, this is life-changing" with the intent that I will follow their steps to change my life. And the next day I completely forget about it and continue on my merry way. Not saying that they're bad books, some of them just didn't hit the mark for me. However, this one...the talk about death being imminent and looming has really made me think about how I'm living my life. Am I living it to the potential where I am at my most content state? I finished this two days ago and I'm still thinking about it - I've journaled about it - I've had dreams about it...
If you're looking for a good, swift kick in the rump to get your ish together, this is the book for you.
There's nothing like getting hit in the face by life AND death. This book explores the idea that reminding yourself that your days are numbered will ultimately lead you to live a more fulfilling life. Want to stop doom scrolling and take a walk with your pup? Just think that you could die tomorrow. Want to go to the gym instead of binge watching a show on Netflix and snacking on chips? Just think that you could die tomorrow.
This was such an interesting concept. I've read a lot of self-help books on how to improve my life and be happier, but none of them talked about death as something that can take all your chances away. It's an obvious fact, but to have a self-help guru erase the taboo-ness of death talk to really get people to think about how they're living their lives is a creative way to go about it. Thinking about all the self-help books I've read in the past, I recall reading them and soaking them in and being like "wow, this is life-changing" with the intent that I will follow their steps to change my life. And the next day I completely forget about it and continue on my merry way. Not saying that they're bad books, some of them just didn't hit the mark for me. However, this one...the talk about death being imminent and looming has really made me think about how I'm living my life. Am I living it to the potential where I am at my most content state? I finished this two days ago and I'm still thinking about it - I've journaled about it - I've had dreams about it...
If you're looking for a good, swift kick in the rump to get your ish together, this is the book for you.
July 22, 2025
ARC Review
Audiobook narrated by the author
*Your To-Die-For Life* by Karen Salmansohn is a witty, reflective self-help book that leans into the idea of mortality—not to scare or depress, but to shake us into living more fully. Karen Salmansohn blends humor, striking visuals, and a “death-positive” approach to remind us that time is short, so make it count. It's part pep talk, part guided journal, part existential wake-up call—and yes, somehow it manages to be fun.
Karen narrates the audiobook herself, and her voice works perfectly for the tone of the book—energized, a little cheeky, and very human. I found myself pausing often to sit with the creative exercises she proposes, like writing your own eulogy or making a “to-die” list (basically, a twist on the bucket list, but deeper). These prompts were genuinely thought-provoking and helped personalize the experience.
Some of the material does start to feel a bit repetitive after a while, especially if you're familiar with other self-improvement books. But the structure of short sections, bold reminders, and creative formatting keeps it engaging overall. If you're looking for a reflective read that encourages boldness and clarity—without sounding preachy—this one might surprise you.
A solid, quirky read that encourages us to stop waiting for the “right time” and start living with meaning *now*.
Audiobook narrated by the author
*Your To-Die-For Life* by Karen Salmansohn is a witty, reflective self-help book that leans into the idea of mortality—not to scare or depress, but to shake us into living more fully. Karen Salmansohn blends humor, striking visuals, and a “death-positive” approach to remind us that time is short, so make it count. It's part pep talk, part guided journal, part existential wake-up call—and yes, somehow it manages to be fun.
Karen narrates the audiobook herself, and her voice works perfectly for the tone of the book—energized, a little cheeky, and very human. I found myself pausing often to sit with the creative exercises she proposes, like writing your own eulogy or making a “to-die” list (basically, a twist on the bucket list, but deeper). These prompts were genuinely thought-provoking and helped personalize the experience.
Some of the material does start to feel a bit repetitive after a while, especially if you're familiar with other self-improvement books. But the structure of short sections, bold reminders, and creative formatting keeps it engaging overall. If you're looking for a reflective read that encourages boldness and clarity—without sounding preachy—this one might surprise you.
A solid, quirky read that encourages us to stop waiting for the “right time” and start living with meaning *now*.
July 11, 2025
Rating: 3.5/5
In this book, the author, Karen Salmansohn, takes a "death-focused" viewpoint on life to help optimize the time we have left on earth. Essentially, it is grasping onto what is truly important in life and living to our values. While somewhat morbid, I enjoyed the dry humor incorporated into the self-help book. Karen, herself, narrated the audiobook -- she did a wonderful job and has the perfect voice for it. I found the most value in the journal writing prompts that she gives throughout the book. It gives you a different perspective and really makes you think. While some of the book was a little repetitive, I felt that it was, overall, an interesting book that I was able to get benefit from.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
In this book, the author, Karen Salmansohn, takes a "death-focused" viewpoint on life to help optimize the time we have left on earth. Essentially, it is grasping onto what is truly important in life and living to our values. While somewhat morbid, I enjoyed the dry humor incorporated into the self-help book. Karen, herself, narrated the audiobook -- she did a wonderful job and has the perfect voice for it. I found the most value in the journal writing prompts that she gives throughout the book. It gives you a different perspective and really makes you think. While some of the book was a little repetitive, I felt that it was, overall, an interesting book that I was able to get benefit from.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
July 17, 2025
This book really makes you look at death differently. It is a unique perspective that has you thinking about what will be said about you when you die instead of thinking about what you want to accomplish in life. There are several exercises that has you think about what will the people who know you say about you when you are gone. Is that you worked too much or that you lived life fully. I enjoyed this audiobook and it definitely has given me a new way to look at my like that fully intend to continue to use in my life.
Thank you NetGalley, Brilliance Publishing and Karen Salmansohn for the advance listening copy. All my opinions are my own.
Thank you NetGalley, Brilliance Publishing and Karen Salmansohn for the advance listening copy. All my opinions are my own.
November 10, 2025
I really appreciate it when audiobooks are narrated by the author themselves, especially in non-fiction books that draw on so many personal experiences as examples.
I agree with the author; we should talk more about death and normalize the fact that it's inevitable and will happen to everyone, including us. Thinking about life in reverse: would my future self (in this book's case, a dead self) be happy with my present self? What legacy would I want to leave? Even if that legacy is just teaching someone that washing their own dishes after use is useful. What would people say about me? Even if the only thing they remember are my lame jokes.
My only problem with the book is the format. I'm not saying it's bad, far from it, but this is the type of book that, FOR ME, works better in physical format, mainly because it leaves several "activities" to do, and at various points I'd like to write addendums or highlight a passage to reread later, and the audio format doesn't work for that. Therefore, I intend to buy the physical book and reread everything, perhaps listening to the audiobook to follow along, why not?
I agree with the author; we should talk more about death and normalize the fact that it's inevitable and will happen to everyone, including us. Thinking about life in reverse: would my future self (in this book's case, a dead self) be happy with my present self? What legacy would I want to leave? Even if that legacy is just teaching someone that washing their own dishes after use is useful. What would people say about me? Even if the only thing they remember are my lame jokes.
My only problem with the book is the format. I'm not saying it's bad, far from it, but this is the type of book that, FOR ME, works better in physical format, mainly because it leaves several "activities" to do, and at various points I'd like to write addendums or highlight a passage to reread later, and the audio format doesn't work for that. Therefore, I intend to buy the physical book and reread everything, perhaps listening to the audiobook to follow along, why not?
August 14, 2025
Psychologist approved for sure! How absolutely incredible that a book called “your-to-die-for life” helps us not only live, but to live with more passion, and meaning, and aliveness. It’s super well-written, witty, and includes practices that are super doable and helpful. Honestly, I even laughed a ton along the way, and that’s a testament to how Karen took this complex topic, and instead of existential dread, invoked connectedness and love. Highly recommend. XO, Jen
July 16, 2025
If you need a "kick in the ass" type of motivation, this is the book for you. It gives you great idea, it doesn't hold your hand, but it does remind you that the life we have isn't infinite so get moving.
December 15, 2025
nothing new
Fast-moving recap of well-known, powerful principles and practices; good for personal recentering. Appreciate author’s humor and lightness around potentially heavy topic.
Fast-moving recap of well-known, powerful principles and practices; good for personal recentering. Appreciate author’s humor and lightness around potentially heavy topic.
November 2, 2025
This book surprised me in the best way. It takes the usual self-help vibe and flips it by making you face something we usually avoid talking about: death. But instead of being dark or depressing, it uses that reality to push you toward actually living your life, not just going through the motions.
The tone is casual with a bit of dry humor, which I appreciated. It’s like getting advice from a friend who tells it like it is, no sugarcoating, but still with heart. The message is simple: stop waiting, stop overthinking, start doing. Tomorrow isn’t guaranteed, so why not make today count?
It definitely made me reflect on how often I put things off, thinking I’ll “get to it later.” Spoiler: later isn’t promised. I’ve thought about this book every day since I finished it, which tells me it hit the mark.
While I wish there was a bit more depth in some areas, it’s a fast, smart read that I’d recommend to anyone feeling stuck or looking for a nudge to make a move.
Thank you NetGalley, Brilliance Publishing and Brilliance Audio for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.
The tone is casual with a bit of dry humor, which I appreciated. It’s like getting advice from a friend who tells it like it is, no sugarcoating, but still with heart. The message is simple: stop waiting, stop overthinking, start doing. Tomorrow isn’t guaranteed, so why not make today count?
It definitely made me reflect on how often I put things off, thinking I’ll “get to it later.” Spoiler: later isn’t promised. I’ve thought about this book every day since I finished it, which tells me it hit the mark.
While I wish there was a bit more depth in some areas, it’s a fast, smart read that I’d recommend to anyone feeling stuck or looking for a nudge to make a move.
Thank you NetGalley, Brilliance Publishing and Brilliance Audio for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews