Measuring life not in years, but in moments that matter
Don’t let life pass you by, try and savor the special moments in life. I am 11,588 days old, and you may have had more or less days on Earth than myself. When you look back at your life thus far, how many special moments come to mind? If you are struggling to think of something, you may want to alter how you are living your life.
Think about it—11,588 days. That’s how I measure my time on this planet. Not in years or decades, but in individual days. Each one an opportunity, each one a canvas for creating experiences that become the story of our lives. But how many of those days will we actually remember? How many will stand out as the moments that defined who we are?
Research shows that we tend to remember novel experiences, moments of heightened emotion, and times when we stepped outside our comfort zones. The routine days often blur together, while the extraordinary stands out in our memory.
Measuring Life Differently
Have you ever calculated how many days you’ve been alive? It’s a surprisingly revealing exercise:
- 25 years old: About 9,131 days
- 40 years old: About 14,610 days
- 65 years old: About 23,741 days
- 80 years old: About 29,220 days
Now ask yourself: Out of those thousands of days, how many can you vividly recall? How many made such an impression that they’re permanently etched in your memory?
The average person might have strong memories of perhaps a few hundred days in their entire lifetime. That’s less than 1% of our lives that we truly remember in detail.
This perspective isn’t meant to be depressing—quite the opposite. It’s a call to action, an invitation to be more intentional about creating days worth remembering. After all, wouldn’t you rather look back on a life with 500 extraordinary days than 5,000 forgettable ones?
“How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.” — Annie Dillard
A Framework for Decision-Making
My general rule is this: if you are pondering whether to do something, ask yourself if doing what you are pondering will likely be remembered in a positive way for the rest of your life. If the answer to the question is yes, if it will benefit yourself and others without harming anyone, I say it is something worth doing and chances are it will be a day worth living!
This simple framework can transform how you approach opportunities and decisions:
- Will I remember this years from now? Not every activity needs to be monumental, but ask if it has the potential to stand out in your memory.
- Will this create a positive memory? Some experiences are memorable for the wrong reasons. Seek those that will bring a smile when recalled.
- Does this benefit me or others? The most meaningful memories often involve growth, connection, or contribution.
- Does this cause harm? Memorable experiences shouldn’t come at the expense of others’ wellbeing.
This doesn’t mean every day needs to be filled with skydiving or international travel. A deep conversation, learning something new, helping someone in need, or simply being fully present for a sunset can create memories that enrich your life story.
When faced with the choice between comfort and growth, between the familiar routine or a new adventure, remember: it’s often the things we didn’t do that we regret most, not the things we did.
Creating Moments Worth Remembering
How can we intentionally create more memorable days? Research on memory and happiness offers some insights:
1. Seek Novel Experiences
Our brains are wired to remember the new and different. Even small departures from routine can create lasting memories:
- Take a different route home
- Try a cuisine you’ve never experienced
- Visit a local attraction you’ve always meant to see
- Learn a new skill or hobby
2. Embrace Meaningful Challenges
We remember times when we pushed our boundaries and grew:
- Set a personal goal that stretches you
- Have that difficult but important conversation
- Face a fear in a controlled environment
- Create something, even if it’s imperfect
3. Deepen Connections
Human connections create some of our most precious memories:
- Have conversations that go beyond small talk
- Express appreciation to someone who’s impacted your life
- Reconnect with old friends or family
- Be fully present with loved ones
4. Practice Mindful Awareness
Sometimes creating memorable moments is simply about noticing the ones already happening:
- Put away screens during significant moments
- Use all your senses to fully experience important events
- Take mental “snapshots” of beautiful or meaningful moments
- Keep a journal of daily highlights
“The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.” — Eleanor Roosevelt
Small Daily Practices, Big Impact
Creating a memorable life doesn’t always require grand gestures. Small, daily practices can transform ordinary days into meaningful ones:
- Morning intention: Begin each day by setting an intention to make it memorable in some way
- Gratitude practice: End each day by identifying three specific moments you’re grateful for
- Daily highlight: Plan one activity each day that you’ll look forward to
- Connection ritual: Have at least one meaningful interaction with another person daily
- Curiosity hour: Dedicate time each day to learning something new or feeding your curiosity
These practices don’t require much time or resources, but they can transform how you experience your days and what you’ll remember when you look back on your life.
The quality of our memories isn’t just about what we experience—it’s about how we experience it. Presence, attention, and emotional engagement transform ordinary moments into lasting memories.
Your Life in Days
So how old are you—in days? Whether you’re 5,000 days into your journey or 30,000, the question remains the same: Are you creating days worth remembering?
When you reach the end of your life, it won’t be the routine days that flash before your eyes. It will be the moments when you truly lived—when you loved deeply, when you challenged yourself, when you connected with others, when you experienced wonder and awe.
My challenge to you is this: Make today a day you’ll remember. And tomorrow. And as many of the days that remain as possible. Because in the end, it’s not about how many days we had, but how many days we truly lived.
Join the Conversation
What’s one of your most memorable days? What made it special, and how might you create more days like it? Share your thoughts in the comments below!