What If You Had Only 5 Years Left to Live? (How to Live Life While You Are Alive) -

In mid-March 2023, I found myself in a small, quiet coastal town, far from my everyday grind. I’d just wrapped up an exhausting project and was drained, restless, and feeling like I’d been running on autopilot for way too long. My plan was simple: disappear for a few days, unplug, and try to figure out where all my time was going.

One evening, as the sun was setting, I found myself at a small beachside café, enjoying a moment of stillness and trying not to think about my phone buzzing in my pocket. That’s when an older man seated at the next table looked over, gave me a nod, and struck up a conversation.

He looked like he’d seen a few things—sun-weathered skin, a relaxed smile, and the calm that comes from not being in a hurry. We started talking about travel, work, and, eventually, life itself. Somewhere in the middle of our conversation, he asked me a question that hit hard: “If you knew you only had a few years left, how would you live?”

I paused. It felt like one of those hypothetical questions that get tossed around over coffee but mean nothing. But he waited, so I threw out a few quick answers: more travel, more time with family, picking up old hobbies. He nodded, smiling like he’d heard it before.

Then he added, “I thought the same when I was your age. But here’s the thing—time goes, whether you use it or not. You blink, and one day, it’s gone.”

That conversation stayed with me, running on a loop. I couldn’t shake it. We all say we’ll make time for the things that matter “later.” But what if “later” never comes?

What Are We Really Waiting For?

Why do we hold off on living? Why do we let the best parts of life sit in some imaginary “one day” folder that we never open? We tell ourselves we’re saving time for “the future,” but that future often becomes a never-ending cycle of tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow.

The truth is, most of us keep our lives on pause because we assume there’s plenty of time left. But if you think about it, time is the only thing we can’t make more of. We budget, we plan, we work hard, thinking we’ll use the rewards later—but that’s the thing. Later is not promised.

The Regret Many People Face When It’s Too Late

Throughout my life, I’ve met people who were full of regrets when they reached their later years. These weren’t people who regretted the things they had done. No, it was always about the things they didn’t do—the risks they didn’t take, the trips they didn’t book, the relationships they didn’t nurture.

An older friend once told me, “If I could do it all over, I’d work less, laugh more, and spend more time with people I care about.” Those words stick because they reveal something most people don’t realize until it’s too late: all the “important” things we chase are just dust in the wind compared to moments spent truly living.

Stop Waiting for the “Right Time”

If you knew you had only ten years left, you wouldn’t be putting off the things that make you come alive. There’s no “right time” to start enjoying life. Every time you delay the things you want to do, you risk never doing them at all.

How many of us say we’ll travel more but then don’t? We’ll work out more, learn that language, try that hobby, call up our parents more often—but always “next month,” “next year.” The reality? Life doesn’t always give us the luxury of waiting for the “right time.”

Living Fully Isn’t About Indulgence

When I say “live fully,” I don’t mean ditching responsibilities, blowing money, or partying every weekend. I’m talking about the things that feed your soul—things that actually bring meaning to your life.

Travel somewhere new, try something that scares you, invest in experiences, not just things. Reach out to old friends, pick up that guitar you’ve ignored for years, and, if you can, make space for real conversations. Living fully isn’t hedonism; it’s doing things that, when you look back, you’ll be glad you made time for.

How to Start Living in the Present

1. Define What Really Matters to You

Take a moment to ask yourself: What do you really want? And I mean the kind of want that stays with you, even when you’re exhausted. Write it down, say it out loud, keep it somewhere you can see it daily. We all say family, health, happiness matter most, but do we prioritize them? Think about what you value and start acting like it’s important now, not just later.

2. Make Small Changes Every Day

You don’t need to overhaul your life overnight, but you can start small. Spend an extra 15 minutes on a hobby that makes you feel alive. Turn your phone off when you’re having dinner with loved ones. Go outside. Move your body. Make eye contact when you’re talking to someone. These tiny adjustments can shift your life over time.

3. Schedule the Things You Want to Do

Yes, literally schedule them. If you’ve been meaning to travel, pick a date. If you want to read more, set aside a time each night. Most of us are quick to fill our calendars with work deadlines but never make room for ourselves.

The Freedom of Living Without “What Ifs”

Imagine reaching the end of your life with no regrets. No “what if I had done that.” No lingering questions about whether you should’ve tried harder to live a little more. The truth is, living with purpose isn’t about throwing away caution. It’s about having the courage to actually live while you can, to use your time on things you love.

What Would You Do If You Only Had 5 Years Left?

Right now, ask yourself: If you had a countdown over your head that showed you had only 5 years left, how would you live?

Would you work the same job, stick with the same routine, and keep waiting for that “one day”? Or would you finally do the things you say you want to do?

Maybe you’d finally take that road trip you’ve been talking about since college. Maybe you’d call up that friend you lost touch with. Or maybe you’d stop hesitating and ask that person out.

Make a List, Then Act

Grab a piece of paper, and write down the top five things you’d do if you knew you had only ten years left. Don’t overthink it. Let it be raw and real. Then, take one small action toward one of those things.

Remember: Life Is Happening Now

Most people think they’re alive simply because they’re not dead. But there’s a big difference between existing and living. You’re alive right now, in this moment. You could be gone tomorrow, next week, in a year, or in fifty years. The point is, no one really knows. And that’s what makes living in the now so powerful.

A friend of mine recently had a health scare. Out of nowhere, he was hit by a car while jogging. Thankfully, he survived, but it could’ve gone the other way. That moment shook him, and it shook me too. None of us know when our last moment might come.

Don’t Wait to Live; Do It Now

If you want to travel, pick a destination and book the ticket. If you want to get fit, start today. If you want to start a business, take the first step. There is no “perfect time” to start living, and waiting for the stars to align is just an excuse.

Key Takeaways to Live Fully

1. Ditch the Perfectionism
Stop waiting for everything to be perfect. Life isn’t waiting for you to get it all figured out. It’s messy, unpredictable, and often inconvenient, but it’s also the only time you’ll get to do all the things you want.

2. Prioritize Relationships Over Things
When you look back, you’ll care about the memories you made with people, not the things you bought. Spend more time with loved ones, make that phone call, show up when it matters.

3. Invest in Yourself and Your Happiness
This doesn’t mean chasing temporary highs but doing the things that genuinely fulfill you. Create a life that, even if it ended tomorrow, you’d feel content with.

Closing Thoughts: Don’t Just Exist—Truly Live

We’re all on borrowed time, whether we admit it or not. And while we can’t control when our clock runs out, we can control how we spend the minutes we have. Life isn’t about waiting for a “better moment” to live. It’s about grabbing hold of each day, every chance, and making something of it.

If you do anything today, let it be this: Live the life you’d be proud to leave behind.

Stay well until next time

At your service,

Mani