How to Take Charge of Life Before It’s Too Late
Most of us underestimate one simple fact: life has an end. It stops one day, sometimes without warning. Yet, we plan and react as if we’ll be here forever, as if tomorrow is always guaranteed. But when you truly realize that life can stop at any moment, your decisions change. You start to enjoy the small moments more—the simple ones that often bring the most happiness and the least worries.
Recently, I found myself at the bay. It was quiet, just a dozen people scattered around, everyone speaking softly and respecting each other’s space. I love that calm. But sometimes, you end up in noisy places, surrounded by people who don’t care about others. That’s frustrating. Life is too short to put up with that. If you’re not comfortable in your environment, it’s time to move. Maybe that place works for others, but if it doesn’t suit you, don’t stay and suffer. Frustration is a sign you’re not where you belong. So, move. Change cities, travel, try somewhere new. The world is full of places, but we often tell ourselves it’s impossible to leave. That’s just a limiting belief.
There’s a café I like here called The Lookout. Sometimes I go there, sit, and just watch life go by. These moments help me step back and reflect on what’s happened, on the choices I’ve made. Sometimes, something bad happens and you don’t know how to react. You might get angry, but anger never solves anything. Even if the problem comes from someone else, you’re still responsible for how you handle it. For example, my server was hacked recently. The code had a flaw, written by another developer, but I was responsible for the server. I could have avoided it by checking the code more carefully. I spent sleepless nights fixing it and making sure it wouldn’t happen again.
Thinking about how short life is, I realize how much time we waste at jobs we don’t like. When I was younger, I loved learning and worked long hours, sometimes until 9 PM, just to prove myself. My first job was in Dublin, and I enjoyed it, but I gave everything for a fixed salary and no real stake in the company. I wanted to show I was fast and efficient, but in the end, I was just another employee. Even in a close-knit team, you’re still working for someone else’s dream.
What do you really want in life? Most of us want to create something of our own, something that matters to us. Working for a company is fine, but giving them all your time—working 70 hours a week—might not be worth it. Sometimes you get paid more, but you have to weigh what you’re giving up.
The real message here is to enjoy the moments you have. Don’t deprive yourself. Money comes and goes, but time never stops. That’s why it’s so important to make the most of where you are, right now. We never know how long we have left on this planet.
This morning, I woke up at 6:20 and wrote these thoughts down. We don’t always make the best choices because we act as if life is endless. But if tomorrow was your last day, what would you regret? That’s what you need to focus on. For me, I want to go to Antarctica, to Greenland—those life experiences matter. We rarely regret not buying the latest iPhone, unless it would have truly changed our lives. But experiences, the things we don’t do, those are the real regrets.
Time is a train that never stops. Make sure you’re on the right one.
— Pierre
If you’re always waiting for retirement to enjoy life, you might miss your chance. Sometimes people save up, wait for retirement, and then something happens—a sickness, an accident—and they never get to enjoy what they worked for. That’s why I love the idea of “mini-retirements,” a concept Tim Ferriss made popular. I once took a six-month sabbatical and traveled, volunteered in Iceland, spent three months in Canada. Those memories stay with me for life.
Ask yourself: what can you do now to create memories you’ll keep forever? Even today, after my lunch break at the bay, I’ll keep working, but with a beautiful view. That makes all the difference.
Every two hours, I pause and ask myself: am I happy with what I just did? Did I waste time on things that don’t matter, or did I do something meaningful? Don’t be a people-pleaser—someone who buys a fancy car just to impress others, even if they don’t care about cars. Spend your time and energy on what matters to you.
If someone approaches you in the street and you’re not interested, it’s okay to say no. Your life is limited and precious. Everyone has their own interests, and it’s up to you to know yours and make the right choices.
The most essential things in life are experiences, not possessions.
— Pierre
Don’t wait for the perfect moment. The best time to act is always now.
— Pierre
Key Takeaways
- Life is short and can end at any moment—don’t waste it on things that don’t matter to you.
- Enjoy simple moments and create memories that last.
- Don’t stay in environments or jobs that make you unhappy.
- Focus on experiences, not possessions.
- Take action now—don’t wait for “someday.”
- Regularly check in with yourself: Are you happy with how you’re spending your time?
Reflection
What would you regret if tomorrow was your last day? What small change can you make today to move closer to the life you want? Are you living for yourself, or just to please others?
Pierre-Henry Soria
#Life Purpose #Living in the Moment #Mindfulness #Money #Mortality #Nomad #Personal-Growth #Productivity #Self-Transcendence #Tech