Life's Too Short

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of illness, death, and substance use.

Vanessa has spent the last few years traveling the world and chasing experiences, embodying a carpe diem philosophy from the outset. Her decision to live spontaneously stems from a personal understanding of mortality as she faces a 50% chance of developing ALS, which took her sister’s life before she turned 30. For Vanessa, living in the present isn’t just a motto but a matter of survival, allowing her to find joy and build a meaningful life even as fear lingers at the edges. She explains, “You should always have an adventure lined up. Having something to look forward to is tantamount to happiness” (52). Vanessa refuses to live her life waiting for tragedy to strike. Instead, she embraces every moment, treating time as a gift rather than a guarantee. Humor and honesty play an essential role as Vanessa’s laughter and openness are acts of defiance against fear. Even her YouTube travel videos are symbolic, capturing snapshots of life that might otherwise be lost. Through Vanessa’s character, Jimenez doesn’t shy away from the fear that accompanies mortality, but she celebrates the courage it takes to keep living anyway.