Exploring the Possibility of Living for 200 Years
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Chapter 1: The Thought Experiment
In this piece, I delve into a thought-provoking scenario inspired by a set of Scenario Cards my husband gifted me. These cards, designed by psychologists, come in three categories—self, the world, and life—and they facilitate meaningful discussions. Today’s intriguing question is: What if you could extend your life to 200 years? Would your lifestyle change?
While I’d like to think my choices would be radically different, the reality of human nature suggests otherwise. One might assume that an extended lifespan would provide ample opportunity to fulfill all aspirations. Yet, with our current average lifespan of roughly 80 years, I wonder if I would truly maximize the additional 120 years.
It’s easy to envision grand plans—traveling the globe, advocating for environmental causes, inventing life-saving medications, or penning best-selling novels. However, the truth is that life often interferes with our dreams. We settle into routines that can overshadow our ambitions, pushing those dreams to the periphery of our minds. We often tell ourselves, "One day, I’ll get around to it!" But would more time genuinely lead to us achieving those dreams? Based on my experiences, I doubt I would use the extra years wisely.
For instance, during my five years living in Scotland in the 2000s, my husband and I explored various parts of Europe. We visited Italy, Greece, and even Egypt, but despite our time there, we never managed to visit Wales. We did take a day trip to Dublin, but that was a fleeting visit.
Five years seems ample time to explore, yet daily responsibilities—such as finding a job, maintaining a household, or managing health issues—can quickly consume that time. My own health challenges, including a diagnosis of an overactive thyroid, forced me to take a break from work and affected our ability to travel. Thus, while 200 years might appear to offer enough time to accomplish our desires, I remain skeptical about whether I would actually achieve more.
What are your thoughts? Would living for 200 years change your approach to life? My husband often remarks that our actions might not matter since we won't be around to see their consequences. However, with a longer lifespan, we could witness the effects of our choices, especially regarding our planet's future.
Chapter 2: Insights on Longevity
To gain further insights into the concept of living for an extended period, consider the following video:
In "Can We Live up to 200 Years Old? The Science of Longevity With David Sinclair," the discussion revolves around the scientific perspectives on aging and what it might mean for humanity.
Additionally, explore practical advice on longevity with this video:
"Live 200 Years? This Is How You Could Do It" offers various strategies that could potentially enhance our lifespan and the quality of life during those years.
For those interested in mental health or mindfulness writing, check out my Mindful Mental Health publication or my latest venture, Penny Press. You can also support my personal writing project, Inkslinger Magazine, which features both fiction and nonfiction pieces.
©Caitlin McColl 2022, all rights reserved.