I have been playing dead-is-dead characters for a while now and while I love it I feel like I'm never going to be able to do everything the game has to offer if I don't stop.

Recently, my level 42 character which has 118 hours vested in him, was bested in battle, due in large part to me just not paying attention. I had completed the main quest with him, had many shouts and was virtually unbeatable. Now I find myself in a predicament. I REALLY don't want to start another character at this point but I can't help but to constantly think about how I was "killed" by a bandit marauder.

Does anyone else have this obsession? I know I'm in the minority here but I'm looking for someone to convince me not to start another character.

Meditate on the sayings of Paarthurnax: someone who attempts to quicken the end, delays it; one who would try and delay the end may bring it sooner.

Since your character was a high level he/she was probaly well established and contained numerous amounts of wealth, but they are dead simply role play a son/daughter who inherited what came from their mother/father. if you hate looking so similar to your hero go to the ragged flagon and change your face(if you have dawnguard).

DiD != RPing

Just pretend it never happened?

exactly why I mentioned it. I actually can't seem to play a DiD character in the elder scrolls, always on fallout though I do tend to play the elder scrolls games longer.

Some of the best heroes get bested by lowly minions. Remember what happened to the king in Lord of the Rings? Think of how your character's arrogance got the best of him which led to his downfall. Continue the story with a new character like someone mentioned above where they were a child of his/hers.