Julie McFadden isn’t your typical healthcare professional. As a hospice nurse with a mission to transform society’s perception of death, she has become a beacon of understanding in a topic most people prefer to avoid.
Through her work, social media presence, and recently published book, McFadden challenges our collective fear of mortality by revealing the profound insights she has gained from years of caring for patients in their final moments.
Her journey began in the intense environment of an Intensive Care Unit, where she witnessed hundreds of people navigating the delicate transition between life and death. This experience fundamentally changed her perspective, helping her recognize the remarkable dignity and natural beauty of the dying process.
Over her years of professional experience, McFadden has uncovered two consistent themes that emerge in patients’ final reflections. The first, somewhat surprisingly, is a widespread regret about dedicating too much time to work. In a world where professional success often takes precedence, many people realize too late that they’ve sacrificed precious moments with loved ones in pursuit of career achievements.
However, her second observation is even more poignant. “The main thing people say, that I don’t hear a lot of people mention, is ‘I wish I would have appreciated my health’,” McFadden explains. This profound statement resonates deeply, highlighting how easily we take our physical well-being for granted until illness strikes.
Most people don’t truly understand the value of good health until they experience its absence. A simple blocked nose or sore throat can make us long for our previous state of wellness. For patients facing terminal conditions, this realization becomes exponentially more significant.
A Practice of Gratitude
Inspired by her patients’ insights, McFadden has developed a personal practice of nightly gratitude reflection. Each evening, she writes down things she’s thankful for – seemingly mundane aspects of life that we often overlook. “I like the fact that I can breathe, I’m walking around, I can feel the sunshine,” she shares. “These little things are actually tremendous gifts.”
Her approach isn’t about creating fear or morbidity, but about fostering appreciation. By understanding death as a natural process rather than something to be feared, she hopes to help people live more fully and mindfully.
This mission has found a significant platform on social media, particularly TikTok, where McFadden has amassed over 1.5 million followers. Her candid discussions about death and dying have struck a chord with audiences seeking genuine, compassionate perspectives on an often-taboo subject.
Breaking the Silence
“I believe that people should know about the dying process before they’re actually going through it with a loved one or themselves,” McFadden states. Her work aims to demystify death, transforming it from a source of terror to a natural, dignified transition.
By sharing her experiences and insights, she encourages a more open, compassionate dialogue about mortality. Her message is clear: understanding and accepting the end of life can help us appreciate and make the most of the life we’re living right now.
McFadden’s approach represents a powerful shift in how we perceive one of life’s most universal experiences. Through empathy, education, and personal reflection, she invites us to see death not as an enemy to be feared, but as an integral part of the human journey.