This always sounded incredibly scary to me, especially when I was in my early 20s. I guess when you're that age you don't like the idea of things having an end, you are sort of overwhelmed by a feeling of infinity, of never-ending youth.
Now I'm not even 30 but this kind of memento mori doesn't strike me as scary but as liberating. "Here's your precious, finite time in this world, and it's up to you to make it worth it." This is one of those things when knowing you're in charge makes you better, kind of how taking responsibility empowers you inside.
> The most important thing I discovered a few days after turning 65 is that I can't waste any more time doing things I don't want to do.
--- Jep Gambardella, La Grande Bellezza
Now I'm not even 30 but this kind of memento mori doesn't strike me as scary but as liberating. "Here's your precious, finite time in this world, and it's up to you to make it worth it." This is one of those things when knowing you're in charge makes you better, kind of how taking responsibility empowers you inside.
> The most important thing I discovered a few days after turning 65 is that I can't waste any more time doing things I don't want to do. --- Jep Gambardella, La Grande Bellezza