Memento Mori.
Translated: Remember that you will die.
Life is your ultimate limited resource, and death is inevitable. Build something meaningful because one day, the sprint of your life will come to an end.
The Ancient Practice of Remembering Death
Memento Mori is a Latin phrase meaning "remember that you must die." Far from being morbid, this ancient Stoic practice is about using mortality as motivation to live more fully and intentionally.
Why Contemplate Death?
- Clarifies Priorities: Knowing your time is limited helps you focus on what truly matters
- Reduces Procrastination: Awareness of mortality creates urgency to act on your goals
- Increases Gratitude: Recognizing life's fragility makes you appreciate each day more
- Diminishes Fear: Regular contemplation of death reduces anxiety about it
How to Practice
Use the visualization above to see your life in weeks. Each box represents one week of your life. How many are already gone? How many remain? This perspective can be sobering but also liberating—it reminds you that now is the time to pursue what matters most.
"You could leave life right now. Let that determine what you do and say and think." — Marcus Aurelius