How to Make Wiser Choices When You Remember Life Is Short
We often forget that life has an end. We plan our days and make decisions as if our time is unlimited. But the truth is, life does stop one day. When you really understand this, you start making wiser choices. You begin to enjoy the small, simple moments—the ones that often bring the most happiness and the least worries.
Right now, I’m sitting by the bay. It’s quiet, with just a handful of people around. On weekends, it gets crowded, but today, it’s calm. I appreciate these peaceful moments, especially when everyone respects each other’s space. Sometimes, though, you find yourself in noisy places or surrounded by people who don’t care about others. That can be frustrating.
Life is too short to put up with situations that make you unhappy. If your environment doesn’t suit you, change it. Don’t stay stuck in frustration. That feeling of not belonging, of being out of place, is a sign you need to move—maybe to a new spot, a new city, or even another country. There are so many places in the world, but we often tell ourselves it’s impossible to leave. These are just limiting beliefs.
I love it here. There’s a café called Lookout where I sometimes go. I enjoy these moments of reflection, looking back at what’s happened and thinking about how I reacted. Sometimes, something happens and you’re not sure how to handle it. You can get angry or frustrated, but reacting with anger never helps. Even if someone else caused the problem, you’re still responsible for how you deal with it.
For example, I recently had one of my servers hacked. The code had a security flaw, written by another developer, but I’m the one responsible for the server. I could have avoided the problem by checking the code more carefully. I spent three sleepless nights fixing it and making sure it wouldn’t happen again.
When you remember that life is short, you start to question how you spend your time. Many people spend years at jobs they don’t like. I did too, especially when I was younger and eager to learn. My first job was in Dublin, and I loved it. Sometimes I’d stay at the office until 8 or 9 PM, just to chat with my colleagues. It was fun, but looking back, I wonder if it was worth giving so much energy for a fixed salary, with no real share in the company.
Ask yourself what you really want in life. Many of us dream of having our own project, something that belongs to us. Working for a company is fine, but giving them 10 extra hours a week—or more—might not be worth it. I once worked over 70 hours a week for a company. Sure, I earned more, but was it really worth it?
The main message I want to share is this: enjoy the moments. Don’t deprive yourself. Money comes and goes, but time only moves forward. That’s why it’s so important to make the most of where you are and the time you have. We never know how long we’ll be here.
I wrote these thoughts down early this morning, around 6:20 AM. We don’t always make the best choices because we think life is endless. But if tomorrow were your last day, what would you regret? That’s what you need to figure out. For me, I want to visit Antarctica. It’s the experiences we miss out on that we regret—not the things we didn’t buy. You won’t regret not getting the latest iPhone, unless it would have truly changed your life. What matters most are the life experiences.
If you want to avoid regrets, start by asking yourself: how can I avoid frustration? How can I stop doing things that don’t interest me? Focus on what brings you joy, instead of always depriving yourself. Some people spend their whole lives waiting for retirement, only to get sick right before they can enjoy it. That’s such a waste.
Take “mini-retirements.” Tim Ferriss made this idea popular. I once took a six-month unpaid break from work. I volunteered in Iceland and traveled for three months in Canada—British Columbia, Alberta, Calgary, Banff. The Rocky Mountains are breathtaking. These are memories I’ll keep for life.
Look at what you can do now to create memories you’ll cherish. Even today, after my lunch break at the bay, I’ll keep working on my laptop, but with a beautiful view. That makes all the difference.
Every couple of hours, I pause and ask myself: am I happy with how I spent the last two hours? Did I do something just to please someone else? Don’t be a “people pleaser”—someone who does things just to make others happy, even if it doesn’t make you happy. For example, buying a fancy car just to impress others, when you don’t even like cars, is pointless.
Be kind, but protect your time. If someone approaches you in the street and you’re not interested, it’s okay to say no. Your life is precious, and time is a train that never stops. You have your own train to catch, your own interests to pursue. Other people have their own goals, and that’s fine. It’s not about being good or bad—it’s about knowing what matters to you and making the right choices for your life.
Time is a train that never stops. Make sure you’re on the right one for you.
— Pierre
Key Takeaways
- Life is short; don’t act as if you have unlimited time.
- Enjoy simple moments and peaceful environments.
- Change your surroundings if they don’t suit you.
- Take responsibility for your choices and reactions.
- Focus on experiences, not possessions.
- Don’t wait for retirement to live—create memories now.
- Avoid being a people pleaser; protect your time and interests.
Action Steps
- Ask yourself what you’d regret if tomorrow were your last day.
- Identify what brings you joy and do more of it.
- Take regular breaks to reflect on how you spend your time.
- Say no to things and people that don’t align with your values.
Reflection
- What small changes can I make today to live more fully?
- Am I spending my time on what truly matters to me?
- What memories do I want to create before it’s too late?
Pierre-Henry Soria
#Happiness #Life Lessons #Mindfulness #Money #Perception #Personal-Growth #Self-Transcendence #Tech