Live as if it's your first
Not your last
With another friend’s passing, the advice to “live each day as if it’s your last” is naturally present. This sentiment carries profound wisdom. It encourages us to cherish every moment, to hold our loved ones close, and to never take the beauty of the present for granted. What I love about it is the deep appreciation for life that emerges, and the need to focus on what truly matters.
Yet, there’s an aspect of this philosophy that has always felt unsettling to me—the inherent urgency it demands. This urgency, though motivating, also brings a sense of pressure, an undercurrent of overwhelm that’s particularly off-putting during times of grief. The additional weight of urgency is the last thing some people need when grieving a loved one.
The other day I heard Suleika Jaouad offer the alternative:
Embrace each day as if it’s your first.
Here, there is more space. We’re inclined to shed our preconceived notions about how life should be, to meet life with openness and adaptability. In doing so, we’re more likely to flow with the ever-shifting nature of our existence.
Embracing each day with the wonder of a first encounter encourages us to view the world through a lens of curiosity, to ask more questions, and to welcome new experiences with open arms. It’s an invitation to joy and growth, which is precious in darker times.
Like anything, it’s a balance. To live each day as if it’s both our first and our last is to walk a path of heartfelt wisdom, honoring both the depth of our connections and the potential for starting anew.
