Other Journaling Days
What if today were your last day on Earth? What if you lost your job this afternoon? These questions aren’t morbid—they’re mirrors. They force us to strip away distractions and confront what truly matters. Here’s what I saw when I stared into that mirror.
1. If Today Were My Last Day
“I’d go out and meet people. I don’t have enough human touch in my life.”
The first thing I’d do is seek connection. I’d call Rohit Sud, a friend whose laughter feels like sunlight. I’d visit my sister Anu and her husband, my jiju, whose quiet strength has anchored me. I’d sit with my mother, whose eyes hold decades of unspoken stories.
To them, I’d say: “I’m sorry. Sorry for being selfish, for not asking about your day, for not listening when you needed me.” Regret, I realized, isn’t about grand failures—it’s the small moments we let slip by.
2. If I Lost My Job Today
Panic would hit first. Then, pragmatism: I’d open my financial spreadsheets. With savings for 7–8 months, I’d breathe—briefly. But guilt would follow: Why wasn’t I more proactive? Why did I repeat the same silence that haunted my last days at Infosys?
Next, action: coding drills, AI/ML deep dives, interview prep. Yet beneath the hustle, a quieter truth: losing a job isn’t just about income. It’s about identity. Who am I without the title? The answer? A work in progress—flawed, adaptable, and still learning.
3. The Paradox of ‘Fun’
“How do I enjoy myself?”
I read. I walk. I occasionally gym. But even here, I sabotage joy. Every activity gets a cost-benefit analysis: Is this “worth” my time? I’ve forgotten how to do things just for the thrill of feeling alive.
Yet, if today were my last, I’d crave one thing: a quiet breath. A moment to untangle the mess in my head before facing the unknown. Maybe fun isn’t about productivity. Maybe it’s about letting the world be messy, and letting yourself be human in it.
The Gift of the Unthinkable
These questions aren’t about doom—they’re about clarity. They reveal gaps between who we are and who we want to be.
Regret teaches: Prioritize people over pride.
Fear humbles: Resilience isn’t avoiding failure—it’s rebuilding after.
Joy defies logic: Sometimes, you need to walk without counting steps.
So ask yourself: What would I do differently if today were my last? The answer might not change your life—but it could reshape how you live it.
Afterword:
Life’s fragility isn’t a threat; it’s an invitation. To connect. To grow. To let go. What will you do with your invitation? 🌿
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