Tag: memento mori

• Turning 45

  I’m one year older in September. While I inch towards the inevitable end, it also means I am one year closer to retiring before I turn 50.

  Retire before 50. What a concept unimaginable by so many in society. I got lucky in my career and started planning for this a few years ago. Perhaps I’ll share more in another post on another day.

  As I move from the “35-44” to the “45-54” checkbox in survey forms, I am torn between being grateful for everything I have and feeling anxious that the best years are behind me. Is this what middle age feels like?

  To celebrate, I started a “50 for 50” list – fifty things I’d like to accomplish before I turn 50. It’s like a bucket list but we’re starting earlier and giving myself five years to get it all done. Some are travel-related, like spend a month traveling in Japan. Some are things I just need to do, like plan my own funeral. Whatever it is, it’s just to make sure I have some things to look forward to in the next five years.

  What are some of the ways you celebrate your special day?

  2023.09.05

• 16690 and counting

  That’s the number of days I have left, assuming I live until 90. It might sound grim but it’s to me, it’s a daily reminder of my mortality and how I should live my life.

  This is known as Memento Mori, latin for “Remember that you have to die”. This is a reminder that my life will end, along with everything in it. All my achievements and belongings will perish along with my body.

  This fills me with an urgency to slow down and appreciate what every day brings. To fill my hours with what brings me joy. To let go of what doesn’t. To be with people who matter. To enjoy life today because the nights are limited.

  I’m counting the days, one by one, and trying to make the days count.

  2023.01.05