042 learning to live fully
Recently, while reading more classic literature, I kept encountering the phrase memento mori. As I explored the concept further, I realized this ancient phrase can still be applied to our daily lives, especially when it comes to supporting our mental health.
Memento mori is a Latin phrase that translates to "remember that you must die." While it may sound morbid, its purpose is profoundly life-affirming. In ancient Rome, it was whispered to victorious generals as a reminder that power, success, and beauty are temporary. During the Renaissance, artists included skulls in their paintings not as symbols of fear but as invitations to presence. To remember death is paradoxically to remember life.
Monks and philosophers embraced memento mori as a meditation practice. It was a tool to cultivate humility, focus on what truly matters, and release attachment to ego and worldly concerns. Its purpose has always been to encourage intentional, meaningful living.
From a mental health perspective, memento mori can help us:
Stay grounded: recognizing the impermanence of life can reduce anxiety about control, perfection, and productivity
Notice the present: awareness of mortality encourages mindfulness and helps us savor small, often overlooked moments such as a shared laugh or a quiet cup of coffee
Process change and loss: embracing impermanence fosters acceptance, resilience, and emotional flexibility
Cultivate gratitude: when we recognize that every moment is fleeting, we become more appreciative of what we have and who we love
In therapy, reflecting on impermanence can be a powerful tool for emotional regulation. It helps clients reframe fears of failure or loss, clarify values, and build connection to life’s present experiences.
What Is Memento Vivere?
While memento mori reminds us of impermanence, memento vivere or "remember to live" invites engagement, curiosity, and joy. It encourages us to inhabit our lives fully, explore what excites us, savor experiences, and connect deeply with the world around us.
Together, these two concepts form a balance. One grounds us in humility. The other opens us to possibility. They encourage a mental health practice that is both reflective and active, helping us notice what is already present while embracing opportunities that life offers.
Practical Ways to Apply Memento Mori in Daily Life
Incorporating memento mori into daily life does not mean dwelling on death. It is a practice of awareness that can reduce stress, increase presence, and support emotional resilience. Some ways to integrate this mindset include:
Mindfulness exercises focused on impermanence, noticing sensations and emotions without judgment.
Journaling about what truly matters, reflecting on values and priorities.
Using therapy techniques to explore grief, loss, and acceptance, helping clients engage more fully with the present.
Pausing each day to appreciate fleeting moments, from laughter with friends to quiet solitude.
Ultimately, memento mori is not a call to despair but a call to live deliberately. It teaches us to stop postponing joy, release what does not serve us, and honor the fragility and beauty of life. Memento vivere complements this by reminding us to embrace curiosity, passion, and connection. Together, they offer a gentle invitation: live consciously, with both humility and wonder.
