Can You Really Live Each Day Like It’s Your Last?
Live every day like it’s your last. Pretty simple advice on getting you to live your best life and to keep you conscious of your own mortality.
Gwynn and I had a long drive to visit his folks this past weekend and to pass the time we started reflecting on the past week. Most days were great and we had at least something worthy of noting in our journals. Like Wednesday, for example, we had our first trip of the year to a pretty small town that is famous for its hot dogs…yes hot dogs. The weather was beautiful, above 20 C, it was sunny and warm, a spontaneous trip with the family for a relaxed dinner and ice cream. Thursday however was a different story.
Thursday was rather uneventful. The only thing we could think of that we could write about was grocery shopping, the same thing we do every second Thursday. A lot of you will be familiar with the sayings “Live every day like it’s your last” and “Make every day count”. We couldn’t get past the fact that nothing “special” or “noteworthy” happened that day and then thought “Was Thursday really a day worth living?” Sounds a bit grim but our answer was in general yes but this begged the question “can we really live each day like it’s our last?” Our answer in general was no. But why no? This wasn’t so simple to figure out. So, why can we not live each day like it’s our last?
It’s unrealistic
Firstly, I think it’s entirely unrealistic to expect every day to be exciting full of journal worthy experiences. What makes certain days or events so special is when the thing you do to make them so special aren’t done very often. If we were to make every day adventurous, spontaneous or exciting wouldn’t they eventually lose their luster?
It’s irresponsible
Secondly, I thought it would be irresponsible to live each day as if it were your last. Think about it. If you knew today was your last day on earth what would you do? Would you still head into the office, eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for lunch, go for a run in the afternoon and go to bed at 9pm? OR would you be a tad less responsible and skip work all together, chill out with your family, jet off to Disney World or go to your favorite spot and just be? I would definitely lean towards the irresponsible side. We decided that it wasn’t really the responsibility that was holding us back but rather having to deal with the consequences of our irresponsibility.
Dealing with the consequences
If we knew for certain that we wouldn’t be here tomorrow most of us wouldn’t give a second thought to skipping work all together, blowing through a large amount of money or not following through on some of our commitments. It’s not that we suddenly don’t care about our responsibilities but we won’t be here to face the consequences of our actions. Being irresponsible with money, as an example, is okay when you know you’re not going to have mortgage payments, college tuition or insurance payments to make. But if you are irresponsible with your money for one day to make it extra special, memorable or exciting there are real consequences to your actions and you’ll be responsible for those consequences when you wake up the next morning.
So we decided that it was dealing with the consequences of our actions that keep us in check and keep us relatively responsible from day to day.
The conversation didn’t end there
The next part of our discussion was rather intriguing and for which we simply don’t have an answer. What about people who have survived and came back from really dire situations (e.g. people with near death experiences and holocaust survivors) do they also have “Thursdays”?
My thought on this was yes, which takes us back to the beginning of our conversation. I don’t know for sure as I haven’t been in such a dire situation and certainly don’t wish to be but I wonder if they do or if the gravity of such a situation has truly changed the way they live each and every day.
So what does living each day to it’s fullest really mean then? The answers will be very different for each person. For me, I think it’s as simple as having a good day. One where I am grateful for being and breathing, enjoying the little things life has to offer, doing things that make me happy and spending time with the people I love. Living each day with no regrets.
I know there are more questions than answers here and I would really like to get your thoughts on whether or not you think it’s realistic to expect every day to be lived like your last or if just being content with how things play out is enough.
See also:
One Of The Best Weekends Ever
My Family Rules! 5 Rituals To Establish a Close Knit Family
Don’t Wait Their Little Lives Away
Go Ahead Make Your Day: 50 Ways To Make Today Shine
Gratitude Journal: 30 Days To Happiness
Tips To Enjoy Life
Photo courtesy of: Old Shoe Woman
22 Responses to “Can You Really Live Each Day Like It’s Your Last?”
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Sherri,
I enjoyed this post and you raise interesting points!
“So what does living each day to it’s fullest really mean then?”
As you say, this means different things to different people. To me, it has nothing to do with the day being exciting, adventurous, or even enjoyable. It just means that I’m fully present for as much of the day as possible and I feel a connection to others.
Roger – A Content Life’s last blog post..Meditation for Beginners (Week 2) – Focused Meditation
I like “Thursdays.” Even when nothing “special” happens, it doesn’t mean that we can’t be happy with the “regular” – as long as your “regular” is what you enjoy to begin with. Even so, sometimes I feel really good after I’ve cleaned the kitchen. However, if tomorrow were my last day, I’d probably not clean the kitchen but make an even bigger mess.
Laurie | Express Yourself to Success’s last blog post..The Strength of Kindness
I think you’re right — we should live each day as best we can, to the fullest — not as if it is our last day. There is no way we could do that every day and live normal lives, though it would be interesting to see how that all panned out! If you haven’t seen it already, you might want to check out the movie Last Holiday. It’s cheesy, but good!
Positively Present’s last blog post..when life gives you lemons…
Speaking as someone who *has* had a near-death experience, I can tell you that yes, we have “Thursdays”.
No matter how close you get or how big a scare you have, eventually that fear fades away, and you’re left with trying to live the rest of your life. And so, you move past the “oh crap” stage, and ease back into a routine, standard life. Full of Thursdays doing nothing, Mondays not wanting to get out of bed, and all the good and bad parts of living.
I agree with all the points you’ve raised here. that’s why I never really embraced the whole “live each day as if it were your last” philosophy. Instead, I always ask myself: “Was the world better today because I was given a second chance 16 years ago?” I always try to do something each and every day, no matter how small, that allows me to honestly answer “Yes” to that question.
Jay Schryer’s last blog post..18 Til I Die
Hi, Sherri! I LOVE this post… especially the part about living with no regrets.
I’ll tell you a little secret about myself: I really DO live each day as if it’s my last. In fact, most nights when I go to bed, I find it hard to fall asleep because I’m almost convinced I won’t wake up in the morning. It’s neurotic, I know!
I guess it’s because I lost my mom unexpectedly early in life, so I panic that I’ll leave Hunter before he’s ready to see me go. Anyway, long story short: I think it IS possible to live each day as if it is your last… by making choices you won’t regret if indeed it turns out to be.
I love that you and Gwynn have these beautiful, philosophical conversations. You guys are such an inspiring couple!
Lisis | Quest For Balance’s last blog post..Depression: So Many Shades of Blue
i agree with lisis; you do have beautiful, philosophical conversations.
if i lived every day as if it were my last, i would be exhausted. some days you just have to rest.
i think an alternative would be to appreciate every day as if it were your last. that would be less tiring.
[sorry for lack of caps. i'm using my on screen keyboard, andi still can't make caps. i can't seem to shut up, even with a disabled keyboard. lol]
@ Roger – Thanks for sharing your interpretation! Being present is huge as that really is the only time you know you have for sure.
@ Laurie – You’re right. Doing things you enjoy even though they aren’t necessarily exciting or adventurous should be good enough so long as that makes you happy. (and I agree about the kitchen thing
@ Positively Present – That’s exactly what I was getting at
I think it would be exhausting if we lived like we were going out tomorrow but agree I think it would be interesting to see how it all panned out if we did 
@ Jay – I was hoping you would chime in on this thank you! I love how you ask yourself “Was the world better today because I was given a second chance 16 years ago?” That’s a perfect way to live each day. What can I contribute today that will make the world just a little bit better because I was here…that’s awesome!
@ Lisis – I’m glad you liked it. Living with no regrets is a big thing for me. I’m glad to hear that you do it as well and feel great for it! I love the conversations Gwynn and I have they are like no other and I cherish them dearly.
@ Mary – Thank you Mary. Gwynn and I talk A LOT about EVERYTHING it’s just lovely. I agree that it would be exhausting living each day as if it were the last which is why I thought it was unrealistic. I received an email saying the phrase shouldn’t be taken so literally. It’s more of a philosophy on enjoying life today for what it is and being present enough to enjoy it all and I totally agree.
Because I am most content with the simple, every-day things, I guess you could say I already do live each day as though it were my last : )
Very thought-provoking post.
Thanks Karen that’s great to hear! It is the the simple every-day things (the little things) that mean the most. I’m glad you liked it
I’ve thought about this too Sherri. As much as we want to seize the day and live it like it’s our last, we know there’s a tomorrow and that we can’t throw caution to the wind.
I guess if you escaped dire circumstances, the lesson to take from it would be to not waste the precious days staying upset about something. There’s nothing really wasteful about grocery shopping or going to work, unless you do it in an agitated state.
But it is worth picturing today as your last day. You don’t have to skip work, but maybe it might prevent you from watching too much TV when you get home
David Cain’s last blog post..Strength, Soviet Style — Raptitude Experiment No. 2
Sherri,
I had to do some thinking about this post. It’s true that we all have “Thursdays,” but maybe it’s the awareness of the day that counts. So you go to grocery store, pick up the kids, or just read a book…its noticing these simple every day things and being thankful for them…at least to me:~)
Sara’s last blog post..In Switzerland
Hi Sherri,
Like Jay, I had a near death experience when I was 15 and I can assure you we have Thursdays and all those other days too.
What the experience taught me was to change my attitude about life. I think you have to make the most out of each day or at least try to do so. It brings more of an awareness of life and is a great reminder that nothing really lasts forever.
Nadia-Happy Lotus’s last blog post..Your Inner Artist
Very thought-provoking post!
I don’t think it’s realistic to expect every day to be lived like your last. For me I think what’s important is being thankful for what I have each day, also making opportunities to help others where possible, and as you say just simply enjoying life.
Melanie Thomassian | Dietriffic’s last blog post..Why Very Low Calorie Diets Are So Dangerous
@ David – I like how you point out “I guess if you escaped dire circumstances, the lesson to take from it would be to not waste the precious days staying upset about something.” I think that’s the key. Life’s too short to dwell or live with regrets.
@ Sara – That’s so true! Being in the present moment helps us enjoy each day to it’s fullest by being truly grateful for each moment.
@ Nadia – Thanks for sharing that Nadia and reassuring us that Thursday’s happen to all of us
@ Melanie – Welcome! I love that you’ve said “making opportunities to help others where possible” I think that’s so important and often over looked. Taking control and making things happen is so empowering and makes life a little more fulfilling. Thanks for your comment!
I just stumbled upon your blog and enjoyed this post. I think finding contentment is key, even moreso than finding happiness. Where happiness only exists as an opposite to sadness (and vice versa), contentment requires only satisfaction. I think someone can be content but sad, as well as be content but happy.
Hi Steve,
Welcome! I’m glad you found us and enjoyed this post. You’re exactly right about contentment-being happy with what you have is a big part of enjoying everyday. Get rid of the desire to want more or other things and be grateful for what you have right now. This can play a big role in being happier more times than not as well. Thank you for your comment.
definitely agree that it’s unrealsitic to live every day as though it’s your last, and irresponsible too.
but you can live every moment as though it is now. doesn’t have to be as though it’s your last but don’t live as though there is a later.
…because, as my favourite quote goes, “THIS IS IT”.
I think every moment as though it’s your last is the opposite of not living and is just as reactive, which is bad. it gets a message accross but taken dogmatically and it’ll lead to all the things you mentioned, irresponsible things.
i like the thursdays bit
i think for me, living each day to its fullest is feeling your connection to life and fully immersing yourself in reality. unleash reality as my site is called :p
really cool stuff
talk to you soon
alex
Hi Alex, welcome! I like how you point out that living every moment as if it’s your last is just as reactive as not living, pretty true! I like your quote as well the present moment is all we truly have with absolute certainty. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment
found your blog by googling ‘live each day like it’s your last’ – and I am so pleased I did. I have been wanting to write a blog about this subject for a while and you have really helped me to sort out my thoughts on it. My younger sister died sort of unexpectedly at 36 and there have been a lot of follow on consequences for us (like taking on her 12 year old daughter). I have always been reasonably into living like this and now am even more convinced that it is very important. Thanks for this post.
Jane D´s last blog ..Changing Rooms.