The Definition of Living

This article was originally published in August 2016.

As I get older, I’m getting more and more scared of missing out on things in life. Even though I’m 19 and have my whole life ahead of me, I have the fear of missing out on everything that passes me by.

I’ve been able to do a lot so far in my life. I’ve graduated high school and I’m going to college in the fall, I’m swimming in college, I’ve travelled to different parts of the world, and I’ve learned multiple instruments. But I am still not satisfied.

I guess I’m holding on to the idea that we only get a little bit of time on this Earth and I want to experience as much as I can while I’m alive.

I don’t want to get older and have regrets for things I wish I did in life. I want to do everything I possibly can during my time here.

I want to set foot on all seven continents, surf in Australia, climb on an iceberg, see the northern lights, ride a gondola in Venice, swim with a dolphin, see the pyramids in Egypt, and sleep under the stars.

I want to learn a new language, conquer a fear, run a marathon, fly a helicopter, play guitar at a concert, write a book, play chess, learn to cook, and play golf.

I want to love someone, have a family, get a house, buy a car, throw a party, grill on a patio, and settle down.

I don’t want a life where I’m trapped at a desk most of the day. I don’t want a life working a job that I’m not passionate about. That’s not what humans were born to do.

We weren’t meant to only experience these aspects of life through our computer screens or through books, we were meant to go outside and experience these things firsthand.

There is so much to look forward to, but it is only possible by throwing yourself out into the world. There is only so much that the world can do for you, so it is on you to get out there and really experience it.

I want to see what the world has to offer, meet the people that live on this Earth, and make good on why I am living today.

That’s what living is.