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Carpe Them Diem’s: Facing fears and seizing each day.

Writer's picture: Lucy DeckerLucy Decker

I love my husband for many reasons, but one of those is for his humorous way to take any common saying and put an endearing twist on it. “Carpe them diem’s” is one of those epigram’s that I love him for. Carpe Diem – Seize the Day: a roman saying that dates back to 23 BC, emphasizing the idea that one should enjoy life while one can.


This phrase has often overwhelmed me. I have thought, “who the fuck has that much energy to wake up everyday and ‘carpe’?!”. But is it really energy that dictates how you approach your day? I frequently have conversations with my therapy clients where “it’s all relative” is often referenced. Keeping an eye on perspective can be very helpful. What your best is today is probably better than another day you had, and is dismal compared to your “best” days. Is it possible to carpe them diem’s when you are at a 6 out of 10? How about at a 3 out of 10?


What defines enjoyment? Enjoyment can be found in elaborate plans, exotic travels, and through spending loads of money on materialistic items and once in a lifetime experiences. But enjoyment might also be found in watching a dog play, seeing the tree’s leaf out in the spring, or listening to a memorable song. So how do we know that we are experiencing enjoyment? The definition of enjoyment is to have delight in something. And the definition of delight is ‘enjoyment’.


For me, I recognize the experience of enjoyment through the gentle sincere smile that I find my lips creating. I notice feeling as though I can breathe deeper and fuller. I notice feeling light, and maybe for a moment feeling carefree. I feel fully present, grounded, and immersed in the experience. Nothing else matters. My thoughts are calm. I am connected with the experience.


Is the act of Carpe Diem more simply explained as “live presently”? Is it possible to have enjoyment without being present? Can you seize a day when you are distracted with the unfocused nature of future tripping or ruminating on the parts of your story that are already written?


You only have so much energy each day – how do you want to spend it?


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