Every day you get closer to your death. This is the phrase that shook me to my core when my high school teacher, Mr. Murphy, presented it in Religious Knowledge class. I was 14 years old. I immediately objected, calling it depressive in an attempt to protect my classmates—or perhaps myself. He looked straight at me and said, “It is simply the truth. Take it as you wish.”
I fell silent as he moved on to guide the class into a group discussion. Frankly, I don’t remember much of what followed. Maybe the shock blocked it out. Or maybe I simply wasn’t ready to listen.
Now, approaching the age he probably was when he said those words, I not only understand them—I admire his honesty. Too often, we forget that life is finite. We move through our days as if time were unlimited, assuming there will always be a “later.” And because of that, we often postpone the very things that bring us the most joy.
We tell ourselves:
Let’s work hard now and enjoy life later.
I’ll do what I dream of doing when I’m retired.
I can’t make time for pleasure right now. It can wait until tomorrow, next week, or next year.
I’ll live where I really want to live when I’m older.
The reality is, we don’t know how much “later” any of us has. We can’t predict our health, the state of the world, or what circumstances will shape our future. The only thing we truly know for certain is this moment right here. This breath and this day.
None of us knows when we will die. But we all will, that is certain. And yes, as Mr. Murphy so simply and wisely pointed out, every day we are getting closer to that day.
Far from being morbid, acknowledging this can be liberating. It can wake us up. It can help us stop wasting time and start making the most of the time we have. Here’s how:
- Focus on living in the present moment. Stop worrying about what has passed. It’s done, and there is nothing you can do to change it. Equally, stop obsessing over the future. It’s unpredictable, and so much is beyond your control. What has happened has happened, and what will come will come. The only thing in your hands is your present. Live in it wisely.
- Stop sweating the small stuff. Life becomes lighter when we stop adding unnecessary stress: a misloaded dishwasher, a small stain on the floor, heavier traffic than usual, or a new wrinkle on your face. These worries add nothing of value. Instead, they quietly steal your calm and contentment. So, let them go.
- Prioritize what makes you happy. Life is genuinely too short not to. Always wanted to visit a certain place? Save up and go. Miserable at work? Begin the process of finding something more fulfilling. Joy doesn’t have to be grand or dramatic, but it does have to be chosen.
- Cut out what drains you. Scrolling endlessly on social media? Don’t. Go for a walk with a friend instead. Binge-watching a series deep into the night? Not worth it if you want to feel well-rested and present tomorrow. Sticking with an exercise class or hobby that makes you miserable? Stop. There are endless ways to move, learn, and enjoy yourself. Find what energizes you.
- Practice gratitude. Say thank you when you wake up and open your eyes. Thank the good things in your life. Thank the challenges that stretch you and help you grow. Thank those who support and encourage you. And thank this one precious, magical life that is yours to shape.
- Accept ageing as the privilege it is. Not everyone gets to age. Not everyone earns wrinkles that tell the story of a life fully lived. Not everyone wakes up with a slightly stiff body that suggests years of movement, resilience, and survival. Growing older is not a failure; it is an achievement.
These ideas may sound simple. They are. But will they require effort and practice? Yes. Will they always be easy? Probably not. But the cost of ignoring them is far greater. The cost of regret on your deathbed is immeasurable.
Don’t make that mistake. Remember: Every day you get closer to your death. Let that truth push you toward living fully, intentionally, and honestly. Start today.