sandinista

I'm new here - looking forward to posting lots on the philosophy board.

Anyways, I am 18, in my senior year of high school, about to turn 19 next april, and I am kind of in that waiting period between when you apply to colleges and then go to college. My philosophical question is this: Why do I see my life as so short?

I know that the 18 years I've lived have been fun filled and amazing, and I really have no regrets, but I feel almost as if a period in my life is over, and I can almost see that from here, I go to college, get a job, work work work, retire, die. And I know there will be a lot of stuff in between, but I guess that my problem is that I may be feeling a bit of the "youth is wasted on the young" syndrome combined with the "life is too short" syndrome. I'd really like to hear the opinions of anyone here who has already lived a lot of their life, and also some other people who may have felt the same as I do.

Coppertop

Ruh roh. I smell bannination coming.

re: your post - "I'd really like to hear the opinions of anyone here who has already lived a lot of their life." Well, I've lived all of my life so far. Who hasn't? And ending highschool is of course going to feel like a part of your life is ending, because it is. There are greater things out there. Don't fret, they'll happen.

sandinista

Haha, I was scared for a second that I'd violated some rule by posting what I'd just posted. I think I'll try and watch my step here. Anyways, Maybe I am too concerned about this.

I know what you're saying - but I guess my problem is just seeing my life as a beginning and an end - I'm not really focusing on my experiences during my life - I just kind of think it's meaningless to go around thinking there is something significant that I will accomplish, when I'm just a grain of salt on a cosmic scale, you know what I mean?

Coppertop

Well, I don't see life as a beginning and an end. It's a journey, and we all get one. So make it worthwhile while you have it, 'cause you never know when it'll be gone. Enjoy it while ya got it I say. To me, worrying is a waste of time - it accomplishes nothing. Do what you can, that's all anyone can expect of you.

martinguerre

i did this when i was 20...the roundness of the number, and the math of how much life i had left...scared the shit out of me.

i don't know what got me over it. i put one foot in front of the other for a while, and concentrated on what i could do right then. i'm sure i'll do another "i'm mortal" freak out...but hopefully not for a while.

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For God so loved creation, that God sent God's only Son that whosoever believed should not perish, but have everlasting life.

-John 3:16

JustDisGuy

Well Sandinista, from the perspective of someone who was in your very position the day you were born, you're right about one thing - life is too short. Make that two things - youth is wasted on the young.

My advice? Have goals and dream big. Don't be afraid to take risks. Enjoy every moment of every day, because it's yours to do with as you will.

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"Act as if the future of the universe depends on what you do, while laughing at yourself for thinking that your actions make any difference."

NotMVH

You create your life in this society. Life is not a linear path, planning for the future is important but it sounds like you have a dream, not a plan.

flstf

Well I'm 55 this year, been retired for 3 years now and I sometimes think that I'm still 20 until I look in the mirror. Where did all the time go so fast?

I think it is helpful to try and develop a sense of humor about life. I mean just think how absurd our existence is, located on this little planet in this obscure solar system in this obscure galaxy in this vast universe. We haven't a clue what it's all about. Sure we should try to get a better understanding of the nature of our existence but it is probably futile. I find that laughing at myself for being so ignorant helps me get through.

The funny thing about getting old is that the older you get the faster time seems to pass. I've been retired for 3 years now and it feels like I retired a few weeks ago. When I worked it seemed like an 8 hour day lasted for 20 hours, at least on those jobs that I did not enjoy very much. I can remember when I was a child how the afternoons would seem to take forever, now they go by in a flash.

Try to find something that you enjoy doing to pass the time you have left. There's not much you can do about it anyway, so try to keep open minded your first few years of college and go into a field that really interests you. So what if you don't accomplish anything significant, just live.

And like JustDisGuy said, don't be afraid to take risks. Most of the older guys I know look back with regret over taking the safe path rather than taking more risks.

Master_Shake

I disagree. I don't take risks or live my life to the fullest. I fear I'll "burn" out too quickly if I do that. I think it's best to move through life very slowly and deliberately with as little effect on others as possible. I prefer the long slow burn to the quick flame-out.

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You know something, I don't think the sun even... exists... in this place. 'Cause I've been up for hours, and hours, and hours, and the night never ends here.

klo

Don't worry about it. I've felt this for a long time, almost everytime I feel down. But it's okay because nothing's going to happen. It's just the feeling that your stepping into something new and you don't know what to feel and your body is making some weird feeling and its like the end.

sillygirl

See, I prefer to know I AM having an effect on people... I think I'm here for a reason, and that there's no reason to hide in the shadows. Mistakes make you better, as long as you learn from them. Why waste your talents?

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Anyone can be passionate, but it takes real lovers to be silly-Rose Franken
....absence makes me miss him more...

RogueHunter65

When High School ended for me a felt somewhat the same way. I was thought, "Well, its all down hill from here." But I would say that college is a hundred times better than high school. And that you change so much in such a little that it is scary. I was sad that I didnt see my best freinds for months at a time. But life goes on and you meet new people and grow up. Freshman year is just an amazing time. Being in college now, I could never go back to high school. I would say that you havent even lived till you have been in college. I would say that you have more experiences in your first year of college than all 4 years of high school. My advice don't worry and find a college that fits you.

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I suffer from amnesia and deja vu at the same time... I think I have forgotten this before