3 questions to ask yourself before you’re forgotten
It's a sobering truth: within two generations, most of us will be forgotten. Our names may appear on family trees or in faded photographs, but the essence of who we were—our dreams, struggles, and daily lives—will likely vanish from collective memory.
Even those who achieve fame are not immune to this fading. Research by Cesar A. Hidalgo at MIT suggests that the memory of most famous individuals persists for only five to thirty years after their death.
This realization prompts a profound question: if our time is so fleeting, how should we choose to live?
There are 2 paths
One path is to strive for a legacy that endures—to create something meaningful that resonates beyond our lifetime. Benjamin Franklin famously said, "If you would not be forgotten, as soon as you are dead and rotten, either write things worth reading, or do things worth writing.” This pursuit of lasting impact can inspire us to contribute positively to the world, leaving behind works or deeds that continue to influence others.
Alternatively, recognizing our impermanence can liberate us from the pressures of legacy. The second path is to stop worrying ourselves sick and focus on the present, to find joy and meaning in each day without the burden of posterity. This perspective reminds us that our worth isn't measured by how long we're remembered, but by how fully we engage with life while we have it.
Neither path is better than the other, because they both come with sacrifices. It’s simply the selection of a path that matters.
Path One: Do Something Important
This is the road of legacy. Not ego-driven fame, but contribution — the kind of work or impact that resonates beyond your own lifetime.
The path of legacy is not always glamorous, and you may never see the full ripple effects, but you walk it knowing your effort could echo.
Path Two: Let Go & Live Fully
Instead of legacy, you focus on presence: cherishing what is, not what will remain.
You are comfortable with not making a mark to be remembered by, because you prioritize peace over performance, connection over contribution, and freedom over proving your worth through struggle.
3 questions to ask yourself
1. What am I sacrificing today — and is it worth it?
If you’re after a lasting legacy: Will the end result be worth everything you traded for it (time, money, etc.)? If you’re not aiming for a legacy: Will all of your comfort be worth the fading away without leaving a mark?
2. Am I trying to be remembered or loved?
Being remembered means leaving a mark that outlives you, while being loved means connecting deeply while you’re here. Both are worthy — it just depends on what kind of impact you’re called to make.
3. Is there something meaningful I feel called to create or leave behind?
If you do feel the pull to be remembered, name it. Write the book. Plant the garden. Record your voice. Start the project. It doesn’t have to go viral — it just has to matter to you.
In the end, whether we choose to build a lasting legacy or to embrace the transient nature of existence, the key is to live intentionally. By acknowledging our mortality, we can make conscious choices about how we spend our time, ensuring that our lives are rich with purpose and connection, regardless of how long our memory endures.
