Andrew's Memento Mori Calendar

Life's constant perspective enhancer

Imagining the weeks of my life falling away into darkness is one of the most powerful philosophical practices I’ve adopted. I designed my memento mori calendar to help me do it.

It’s an anti-bullshit device that makes me aware when I’m wasting my life and not living in alignment with my values.

I’m gifting it to paid subscribers of Socratic State of Mind to thank those who support my work financially.

How It Works:

Paid subscribers have access to two digital files — one that’s 5x11 (standard printer paper size) and the other that’s 16x20.

Print one out and fill in the years of your life that have already passed with a black marker. Put it on the wall where you’ll see it frequently. Each week on your preferred day, fill in another box

Each horizontal row has 52 cells, one for each week of the year. 

There are 80 rows, representing the average 80-year lifespan. Women live longer than men, on average, and some minorities average fewer years of life. But these averages mean nothing. You could die tomorrow or at 112. The point is to remember that your allotted time is passing and use this awareness to reframe every moment.

I suggest you don’t fill in your weekly box mindlessly, but ritualize it a bit so you can’t shrug it off. Remind yourself that you’ve just spent a week that you’ll never get back. Look back at all the blacked-out weeks that are slowly swallowing your life. 

Ask yourself if you’ve lived up to your standards this week. If you’re influenced by Socrates and the Stoics, ask where you achieved or fell short of virtue — Wisdom, Justice, Courage, and Moderation. 

If you’re not meeting your standards, how will you do better next week? What concrete steps will you take?

The included documentation file includes more ideas about printing, use, and optional framing.

I hope this calendar brings you greater perspective and a more satisfying life.

The download link for paid subscribers, and can be found below this image: