Travel Quote Tuesday | Life Is Short

“Life is short and the older you get, the more you feel it. Indeed, the shorter it is. People lose their capacity to walk, run, travel, think, and experience life. I realise how important it is to use the time I have.” ~ Viggo Mortensen

Maybe I’m feeling a little old at the moment, sharing this quote so soon after the one from Joanna Lumley about being tied to a tree… but it’s certainly the case, now I’m in my mid-forties, that I am much more assertive about using the time we have to chase the dreams we have and to do the things that bring us joy. We try not to put off ’til some undefined and blurry period in the future what we can realistically do today, or tomorrow or in the short- to mid-term because, frankly, none of us know what is around the corner and life is short.

How do you ensure you best use the time you have?

“Life is short and the older you get, the more you feel it. Indeed, the shorter it is. People lose their capacity to walk, run, travel, think, and experience life. I realise how important it is to use the time I have.” Viggo Mortensen. (text over image of Iceland Waterfall)

Iceland is one of the most beautiful countries I’ve visited; virtually the entire island is a site of outstanding beauty and with so many varied landscapes, many of which are utterly alienesque. I said before in my Guide to Icelandic Food that you could film an entire series of Doctor Who here, each little corner of Iceland representing another alien world far across the universe!

This image was taken at Dettifoss, Iceland’s most powerful waterfall and indeed the largest in Europe by amount of water that falls over it. The waterfall is on the Jokulsa a Fjollum River in Vatnajokull National Park, in North East Iceland. In this image, you can see the spray that is thrown up by the sheer force of the falling water.

More Kavey Eats Travel Quotes.

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34 Comments to "Travel Quote Tuesday | Life Is Short"

  1. Rachelle

    First of all, I just love Viggo and how wise he is. What I love most about this quote is that it isn’t telling us to go do everything extreme. I think it’s about learning to appreciate things around us, the people, our experiences, whether they’re far away or close to home. It’s also a wakeup call for me personally; because in the end I won’t remember that meeting that I scheduled an epic trip around…but I’ll remember the epic trip!

    Reply
    kaveyeats

    Yes absolutely! It’s not about throwing away all semblance of your regular life or acting like you only have a few weeks left, but about actively and consciously taking time to enjoy life in the now, whether that’s taking a walk or run, or maybe learning something new, or putting your brain to work thinking about something interesting, or of course for some of us, travelling when we can, whatever it is, do it now and find ways to enjoy life now!

    Reply
  2. Amy

    I couldn’t agree more and I love Viggo M! Travel is an essential part of who I am. I can’t possibly imagine a life without it. And I am hoping to instill this in my daughter too. I intend to travel until I can’t anymore!

    Reply
    kaveyeats

    My love of travel was instilled by my parents, so I am sure your daughter will learn this from you too!

    Reply
  3. Nathan

    I’d love to visit Iceland! Everyone’s talking about it – the beautiful natural landscapes and the Northern Lights just to name a few. It sounds like it will make a fantastic experience in the winter, is that true? 🙂

    Reply
    kaveyeats

    I have only visited during the summer, when the days are super long and the light is wonderful! Temperatures are reasonably warm too. I know winter tourism is huge there too, but haven’t experienced it myself. I’ve seen many many incredible photographs though!

    Reply
  4. Danijela

    What a beautiful way to “use the time we have” by going to Iceland, isn’t it! 🙂 It’s still on my bucket list, but I can relate to “using time” while traveling. When I think about it, besides memories related to family and friends, the ones I cherish the most are those from my travels. 🙂
    By the way, you made me curious about Iceland now. 😉

    Reply
  5. Linda

    Totally agree with the view that life is too short. We have had far too many people in our lives die young with so much potential ahead of them. We went into semi-retirement young so we could travel when we were still able to do it. But Iceland is still on the travel wish list ! ?

    Reply
  6. Shruti

    I agree Iceland is a beautiful place. I have read so much about this place. Would like to know your experience of this place apart from just the food.

    Reply
    kaveyeats

    If you click on the link on the word Iceland, that will take you to the rest of my Iceland content.

    Reply
  7. Marvi

    Ahhh.. I love this quote! I’m in my early thirties and your post definitely had me thinking and reflecting if I have lived it to the fullest of my capabilities. Indeed, life should be lived as if everyday is your last, thus the need to not just exist but to give it all that we have.

    Thank you for sharing this!

    Reply
    kaveyeats

    It’s a great thing to think about now and again, to make sure you don’t get lost in the everyday and the future planning (both important) at the expense of enjoying life too!

    Reply
  8. Ian Paterson

    Life can seem short at times but the more fulfilling we make our lives, then the more satisfying our experience. I think these are wise words but for me, it’s important not to worry about them.

    Reply
    kaveyeats

    Agree, I don’t think one should worry, I’m not a fan of that whole FOMO – fear of missing out – thing. It’s more a reminder to find joy in everyday, and to make sure you’re not treading water in your everyday life pinning all hopes for joy on a foggy time in the future. By all means be sensible and plan for the future, and do what must be done in the everyday, but make time for joy all the way through!

    Reply
  9. Danila Caputo

    Viggo is also a very skilled photographer as well as a wanderluster just like us. While I’ve been following his art for years I didn’t know this quote! The older I get, the wiser I’m trying to become, so I use the time you have making sure I’m not wasting it!

    Reply
  10. Debra Schroeder

    What an inspiring quote. I try to make the most of every minute. Although, I tend to multitask which has been proven is no longer as efficient as thought.

    Reply
    kaveyeats

    I hear you on that, I’m usually juggling ideas in my head for a few different things… but much of that is part of making the most of life, so as well as my actual paid job, I may also be thinking about what to make next in pottery, and how to express something I want to share here, and researching or planning an upcoming trip…

    Reply
  11. baia

    Oh such a great quote! Agreed completely, I just turned 30 and I am starting to think I have less and less time for everything! 🙂

    Reply
    kaveyeats

    The key is not to assume you can do absolutely everything but to focus on doing the things that are in your grasp and that will bring you joy!

    Reply
  12. Renata Green

    Old or not old – it’s true. I often think that. One should take far more often into consideration that we have only limited time – and just go for the things you wanna do! Unfortunately, it can be over practically any moment, so as long as you can afford doing things, do them; now!

    Reply
    kaveyeats

    It’s always a balance between not being so in-the-moment that you don’t plan and provide for your future, and being so focused on worklife that you don’t make any time for enjoyment as you go!

    Reply
  13. Claire

    This is a timely reminder but I do my best to think this way on the day to day and not get bogged down with serious stuff.

    At the end of the day, I try to work hard and play hard and grab each day the best I can! Thanks for sharing this!

    Reply
    kaveyeats

    Absolutely! Work hard to create a stable home and future, but party hard as in make time for enjoyment, whatever that looks like to you!

    Reply
  14. Dorene

    YES! totally agree with this quote – its amazing when the 40+ clock strikes, we can either choose to evaluate the time we have and do something about it — or stay in our own comfortable, safe and secure lives. Great reminder! Thanks!

    Reply
  15. Suruchi

    I agree with your Quote so much. Life is actually so short and we need to utilize this time properly without thinking much. The huge waterfall Dettifoss, in Iceland, is beautiful beyond words. Indeed whole Iceland is just amazing.

    Reply
  16. Sandy N Vyjay

    Life by its very nature is transient, and probably we discover this more and more as we grow older. But whatever the age it is a fact that time is always running out. The best way to make the best of time and life is to live in the present and enjoy it.

    Reply

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