Memento Mori

Overcoming society’s pressure to conform and choosing yourself first.

Often depicted in art and writing, the Latin phrase Memento Mori…

‘remember you must die’.

While it may seem macabre, this phrase has a useful purpose on everyday life.

Societal pressure

The majority and minority experience the social pressure of conformity. Marginalized communities like people of color, disabled, neurodivergent, and LGBTQIA will face an intense level of pressure from family, friends, and strangers.

Many spend years trying to make others happy. To fit in the box that is expected with the proposed outcome of a successful life.

The average lifespan

The truth is that life is short and long at the same time. If the average life expectancy in your country is seventy years — you have at least sixty years of cognizant decision-making.

The choices you make impact your happiness. External influences will impact your happiness. The only part you control is how you let it shape your life.

Oppression breeds resilience, and internal and external pain. It becomes your existence and in worse cases consumes you.

However, life doesn’t have to stop due to trauma and pain.

After trauma you can still find happiness.

Memento mori

You choose your goals.

You choose your likes and dislikes.

Spending time pleasing others and ignoring yourself — wastes the time you have left.

Death is inevitable, but finding happiness in life takes work.

A memento mori calendar counts down the days you have left to live based on the projected lifespan. Personally, this helped me understand that I no longer want to waste time.

I want to live the life I want without society and others providing input or commentary.

The memento mori is a reminder that life has an end — so seize the time you have and love yourself first.