I Treat Every Day Like It’s My Last
What’s up, people? It’s Dante, walking around Philly with my Ricoh GR3, filming with the GoPro Mini at 1080p, 30fps—exported to 720p for that crispy HD. Just thought I’d share some thoughts while I wander.
Recognizing Mortality
Every day, I wake up and remind myself: I’m human, just flesh and blood. One day, I’m gonna die. Life is short. And instead of that being some sad, heavy thing, I see it as motivation—a reason to get out there and live fully.
“When you wake up knowing life is finite, it changes how you move. You start thinking: What will I do today? Who will I meet? What will I create?”
This perspective forces me to treat every day like it’s my last. Stepping out the door becomes an adventure, a chance to embrace the beauty of the unknown.
Photography as a Passport
For me, photography isn’t just about taking pictures—it’s my excuse to experience life.
“This little camera—it’s like a passport, a reason to explore the world, to see more, to create more.”
It’s about getting out there, into the strife and chaos, and capturing the rawness of life. Using photography as an excuse lets me connect with the world in ways I wouldn’t otherwise.
Thinking About the Archive
When you realize you’re going to die, it changes how you think about your work. What happens to your archive when you’re gone?
Are you gonna leave it all on Instagram or some hard drive somewhere? Then someone’s stuck pulling a crappy JPEG from your account after you’re gone? That’s not for me.
I’ve started backing up everything—Google Photos, cloud storage, open-source files—just making sure it’s all preserved.
“Artists face this ultimate conundrum: What happens to your work after you die?”
We might not have all the answers, but while we’re here, we can do what we can to protect and share our creations.
Focus on the Now
Thinking about mortality has taught me to focus on what’s in front of me. The power is in the now.
“Stop wasting time on TV, gossip, celebrities, or other people’s business. Who cares about all that? Focus on yourself. Focus on the moment in front of you.”
Life feels more grounded when you remember that you’re human and will die one day. It’s not something to fear—it’s something that pushes you to live.
Go Demigod
Yeah, we’re flesh and blood, but that doesn’t mean we can’t push ourselves.
“You can still push yourself—go demigod with it. Strengthen your body, eat good food, do the things that make you feel alive.”
Maybe we’ll live to 120. Who knows? But at the end of the day, we’re human, built of flesh. And that’s what makes life beautiful.
Thanks for reading. Now go out there and live it.