how to live forever.
the struggle of navigating health, wealth, and relationships.
“If the mistakes are deliberate, it’s art.” - Someone, probably.
I was nodding off in the passenger seat, snowfall dancing in the lights of a Canadian highway.
Jostled awake by the phone ringing, I look over at the display.
My uncle’s voice sounded out over the speaker, and my cousin shot me an exasperated look from the driver’s seat, knowing we were about to receive a lecture.
After a long conversation I am now struggling to recall the details of, I can recall a singular, grand takeaway:
“Treat your loved ones like each day is the last.”
How absurd.
To Die Tomorrow
“What makes life meaningful enough to go on living?” - Paul Kalinithi
If you’ve clicked on this post, you’re either looking for a health and fitness routine, are old, or are on an everlasting quest to find the meaning of life.
Hell, maybe it’s all of the above.
But I’m here to tell you, you don’t need a solution. You’re chasing the wrong problem.
The Fear of Death Isn’t the Problem
If you’ve clicked on this post, you’re either looking for a health and fitness routine, are getting older, or are on an endless quest to find the meaning of life.
Hell, maybe it’s all of the above.
But I’m here to tell you, you don’t need a solution. You’re chasing the wrong problem.
Most people think their fear of death comes from the unknown: What will happen? Will it hurt? Will I be forgotten? But the truth is, it’s not death you fear. It’s the possibility that you haven’t truly lived.
When you obsess over solutions—life hacks, bucket lists, or philosophies—you’re trying to escape the quiet truth that life doesn’t come with instructions. Death, that inescapable end, is the ultimate reminder that there’s no “figuring it all out.”
So you chase perfection. You treat every moment like a countdown. You try to solve life.
The Problem with “Treat Every Day Like the Last”
You’ve probably heard the advice: Live like you’ll die tomorrow. Be bold, seize every opportunity, say your goodbyes. It sounds poetic—noble, even—but in practice, it’s exhausting and unsustainable.
Here’s why:
It Forces Urgency on Everything
Treating every day as your last means living under relentless pressure. How can you enjoy quiet, ordinary moments when you’re constantly chasing dramatic ones?It Makes You Avoid the Unpleasant
You might sidestep difficult conversations or uncomfortable situations in an effort to make “the most” of your time. But life’s richness often comes from navigating its messiness.It’s Not How Humans Work
We’re not built to sprint through life. We need rest, boredom, and space to reflect. Living like you’re about to die removes the natural rhythm of highs and lows that makes life meaningful.
Embrace Suffering
“To live is to suffer; to survive is to find meaning in the suffering.” — Nietzsche
Instead of fearing death, consider embracing it—not as an end, but as a guide. Death isn’t here to haunt you; it’s here to remind you that life is precious because it’s finite. And here’s the paradox:
You don’t have to live urgently to live meaningfully.
Living forever—or living well—isn’t about perfection or constant urgency. It’s about balance. It’s about learning to:
Be Present
Stop worrying about the future or replaying the past. Immerse yourself in the now.Focus on What Matters
Not everything demands your attention. Invest your time in relationships, passions, and pursuits that genuinely fulfill you.Embrace the Ordinary
Life isn’t just about fireworks and grand moments. It’s also about making coffee, folding laundry, and sitting in traffic. These seemingly mundane moments are part of the fabric of life, too.
Nothing Lasts Forever
Paul Kalanithi’s question—“What makes life meaningful enough to go on living?”—doesn’t have a single answer. Maybe it’s love. Maybe it’s legacy. Maybe it’s laughter or the quiet satisfaction of a simple meal.
Or maybe the answer isn’t the point. Maybe the search itself is what makes life meaningful.
To die tomorrow doesn’t mean to panic or rush. It means understanding that life is a fleeting, imperfect journey—and that’s exactly what makes it beautiful.
So stop chasing the problem. Start living the questions.
Bonus Thought
If you truly lived like every day was your last, would you quit your job or double down on leaving a legacy? Or just eat an irresponsible amount of cake?
Today’s fun fact: If you want to live forever, don’t die.