I can't remember a time where the finality of death and the pointlessness of life hasn't struck me. I can't remember a day past the age of 16 where I didn't think about the fact that everyone I know, literally every single thing I've ever experienced will die, or wither away.

Even the sun. One of the most powerful entities my mind can possibly comprehend. The entire reason for everything we know. The source of nearly every tiny bit of energy we consume. It's temporary. It'll be gone one day and when it is, it'll be like it was never there.

Accepting these things is one of the most terrifying, difficult, powerful and freeing things I've done. It's very powerful to be able to step back and assess my situation in the context of "will this matter in 50 years when I'm on my deathbed?" In so many difficult decisions, it's made the answer clear: "in 50 years, will I remember feeling good because I took my parents' advice and didn't move and didn't upset them? Or will I look back with regret on the opportunity I didn't take across the country."

I really like this article. It's very important to remember that everything we think is so strong and foundational can go away in the blink of an eye.