This week I read this blog post by one of my favorite blogs The Mad to Live. A particular quote stuck with me:
“The idea is to die young as late as possible.”
Read it again. Die young….as late as possible. Seems sensible. Sit on the phrase for a bit. Think it through. I believe that analysis of your life, daily actions, future goals, etc. is always a healthy checkpoint to make sure you are on your right track, whatever that may be. This quote seemed to be the basis of my thoughts this week.
I have this growing fear of becoming “an adult” *gasp* (Graduation within the next year has been the pleasant reminder that a big kid job is in very near future). But is that a bad thing? If you live your life by the mentality of the quote above, is growing up really that scary? I don’t believe so. Now if I could have it my way, I would find something to do everyday that involves meeting lots of people, dressing how I please, travel a couple times a month, and have the beach somewhere in the foreground. I haven’t figured out how all that can be encompassed in one job yet. But hey, at least a youthful sentiment is ingrained in what I want in my life.
But how do you apply this to your life? I have been re-thinking about this topic for days now. Are you? If anything, just think about the quote. I see youth within the eyes of many: my 80 year old father all the way to the 5 year old girl playing in the park. But can you maintain it? Is it possible for all of us to maintain it? I don’t know. I guess we can try. These have been my crazy thoughts for the week.
Seasoned With Youth 
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Great quote. I think it’s entirely true. I’ve always had a fear of getting older and now that I am in my mid 30’s I can say that I really feel no different at all than I did when I was in my 20’s. Of course mid 30’s is not that much older but in my early 20’s it seemed old! The only thing that sucks is the fact that I have to dye my hair because it is turning gray! Really I have discovered that getting older mentally is a myth. I don’t think anyone changes too much as they age it’s just the stupid physical shit that makes us look different the older we get. I wish someone could come up w/ a pill to get rid of gray hair. If I could have my non-dyed hair back I would be a really happy camper! 🙂
I love it….a pill to get rid of gray. And just think of all the people who dye their hair when they are young (I fall victim to that). I love your mentality on age. I hope to keep that mentality up as well. Cheers to staying young inside and out!
Pretty laptop cover.
Cheers,
Gina
http://ginambiber.blogspot.com/
I just celebrated my 25th (not that old… but sometimes can feel ancient!) and the older I get the more surprising I find it that you have to put in the effort to stay young. There are some days where it’s some much easier and convenient to turn it at 9pm on a Saturday but if I’m not going to make the most of my time now – I seriously doubt I’ll be willing to 10 years from now. Or maybe I will – time only knows!
http://thisredheadsaid.tumblr.com/
Ironically enough, I do the same thing at times. I find that if I surround myself with youthful souls, my motivation to live a bit more significantly increases. But just think of all the great things you can do from now until 10 years from now. You have plenty of time to be young. Essentially your whole lifetime if you choose.
I think about this every day. Being a nurse I am constantly around older people, it scares the beejeebus out of me, I’m scared I’m going to get sick when I’m older 😦 😦 😦
SO I live life to the fullest now, laugh and LOVE every single day…. I guess you can’t dwell too much on things that haven’t happened… because you never know what will.
♥
http://www.blithelyunaware.com
It must be tough working around so many older people. I have so much respect for people who do that. I don’t know if I would have the courage to see that day in and day out. Its great you have such a positive mentality each day. You are right, nothing is guaranteed. Live, love, and be happy.
Very inspiring…
gets you thinking
http://www.thispretty.blogspot.com
Great quote. I love this one, with a similar message, by James Dean: “Dream as if you’ll live forever, live as if you’ll die tomorrow.”
♥ http://www.blahblahbecky.co.uk
That is a great quote. I will keep it in mind. 🙂
Hey Samantha!
First of all – thank you so so much for the kind words. It means so much to me that something I’ve written has inspired or got someone thinking or doing in some way. It’s so wonderful to connect w people that ponder similar things that seem to overtake my mind! Alas, I am not alone haha 😛
Second – i relate in so many ways to your post right here. I’ve actually been graduated form college for almost 2 years. (I can’t believe its been that long!!) And I was wondering the same things too…about a job and growing up. Until I realized that we can grow up however we want to. That beach nearby you want, that wear wahtever you want each day – well, i got that and it took me 2 years to get it but i got it 😛 I think part of dieing young as late as possible is just never letting your soul’s flame burn out.
And the only way to do that is to always follow your heart and your gut and to work as hard as you possibly can to to stick with following it! ANd by doing htat, you can do anything you want! You’ll do more than you can even imagine as you sit here rihgt now wondering what’s goign to happen in the days and months and years after you graduate! 🙂
Cheers to saying young as we grow old Sam!
Lauren 🙂
I too love this quote! Especially when you’re on the cusp of “adulthood,” I think it’s important to keep this in mind so you never lose that sense of childlike wonder and possibility. Far too many people think adulthood means you have to start making money and they sacrifice their own interests and passions in the process. Challenging yourself to find work that allows you to follow this mantra is not only possible, it’s what I think we should all aim to do! There are plenty of jobs out there that fit your few requirements and I wish you luck in finding them and staying young as long as you like!
Laura, I totally agree with you. I see so many of my friends taking jobs that they dread to go to every day just for the paycheck. It really saddens me, however I always seem to congratulate them with anticipation and hope they will be happy. I hope you are following your dreams and will live on with that feeling of youth forever.