42/52 Christian Alaimo

42/52 Christian Alaimo

“I think about death a lot. I have for as long as I can remember. I think it's because one of my first real memories is my Nonno passing away. As far as my memory is concerned, that's when my life started.

For a long time, I've struggled with my own mortality and the impermanence of everything. When I was younger, this used to feel dark and heavy. But in recent years, that's started to change. I've learned that the end of things gives them meaning. That impermanence isn't dark. It's light.

Everything passes, good and bad. One day, I won't be able to feel anything because I won't be here. So I'm trying to get better at letting myself feel it all and appreciate everything as part of life, especially the hard stuff. I've learned that if I'm willing to face the challenging emotions and peel back far enough, I almost always find beauty at the heart of it: something to be grateful for. Feeling in itself, whether sadness or joy, is beautiful to me. One of my favorite lines from Marcus Aurelius:

"Think of the life you have lived until now as over and, as a dead man, see what's left as a bonus and live it according to Nature. Love the hand that fate deals you and play it as your own, for what could be more fitting?"

Reflecting on this has helped me give myself permission to feel deeply and search for gratitude in every experience.

Thinking about death is a powerful reminder to love deeply and express it to others. I have so much love for the people in my life: my family, my friends, and the people I have the pleasure of building Caribou with. As I get older, I'm just trying to get better at expressing my love, finding gratitude, and appreciating the moment since it's the only place I'll ever be.”