Living like there’s no tomorrow
On the drive to work this morning, our fave radio station was discussing people who are unhappy with their jobs.
One announcer said they actually wanted to punch people who seemed to be feeling dreary at work, and a caller chimed in to say that everyone “should live life like there’s no tomorrow,” and do jobs that they love.
I listened quietly, and then snapped it off. I don’t get it. Sure, living “like there’s no tomorrow” sounds nice. But if I was really going to die tomorrow, or next year, I wouldn’t be working at the job I am now. I would be … writing or teaching art classes or something!
If everyone did whatever they felt like doing, no one would own houses or have savings. No one would think of planning for the future. People would be in debt up to their eyeballs, because they wouldn’t care about paying it off.
I have always been a future-thinker. I chose my university based on which one would give me the best job — or so I thought. I wanted to buy our first place in an area with a good school system, even though kids were waaay down the road at that point. I basically decide everything in terms of the long-range.
I poured all of this out to Darling Husband, but he actually said he agreed with the caller. He has always been a very happy-go-lucky guy, but he is not irresponsible. He loves one of his jobs, and does the other to supplement his income. He is a champ at letting go of things and just relaxing, but he also knows when to be serious. He believes in buying little things we want, but is not reckless with money.
I had to admit that if anyone lives for the moment — but is still mindful of the future — it is probably him.
And I could learn a few things from him.
2 Comments on “Living like there’s no tomorrow”
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Heather's Handmade Life 
I feel the same way as you do. It actually really makes me mad when people talk about living like there is no tomorrow. There IS tomorrow. I like having hope. No, I don't LOVE having a job at all, and would like to just incur debt and travel the world, but I have a future to attend to. The only way I live like there is no tomorrow is to make sure that I have no regrets about my actions at the end of the day…you know, didn't hurt anyone or go to bed mad. Otherwise, I have to get out of bed and go to work and scrimp and save for my dream house and dream retirement and all other hopes I have for my future.
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I'm glad I'm not the only realistic one! I think there has to be a balance, like you said, about being happy with how you felt/acted throughout the day. But the bottom line is that sometimes we DO have to work at jobs we don't like, in order to provide for our families.
And “living like there's no tomorrow” seems to mean having nonstop fun with no regard for the future, to most people.
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