“On meurt deux fois, je le vois bien :
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Cesser d’aimer & d’être aimable,
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C’est une mort insupportable :
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Cesser de vivre, ce n’est rien.”. Source
This powerful statement, often attributed to Pablo Picasso, offers a profound insight into the human condition. It translates to, “We die twice, I see it well: To cease to love and be lovable, that is an unbearable death: To cease to live, that is nothing.” While it speaks of life and death, its true lesson is a powerful antidote to a modern malady: procrastination. Inaction is not just delaying a task. It is a slow surrender to the first, “unbearable” death the quote describes.
Procrastination feels like a temporary comfort. We avoid a difficult task and feel immediate relief. However, this relief is fleeting. Each delay adds a small weight to our spirit. It chips away at our passion and our sense of purpose. This is the path to ceasing to love what you do, and ultimately, feeling less capable and worthy. It is the slow, agonizing death of your potential. Pablo Picasso – The Museum of Modern Art
Understanding the First Death
The quote brilliantly separates two concepts: the death of the spirit and the death of the body. Picasso suggests the spiritual death is far worse. This is the death we experience when we stop engaging with life. It happens when we stop creating, stop learning, and stop pursuing our passions. Procrastination is the primary tool for this self-inflicted spiritual decline. It is a choice to stagnate rather than to grow.
When you consistently put off your goals, you are not just postponing work. You are telling yourself that your ambitions are not important. This internal message erodes your self-esteem. Consequently, you begin to lose love for your craft and for yourself. The joy of creation disappears. It is replaced by the anxiety of the unfinished task. This is the “unbearable death” in action. It is a quiet, internal fading that happens long before our physical end.
Why We Choose Stagnation Over Action
If the cost of inaction is so high, why do we procrastinate? The reasons often lie in fear. Specifically, we fear failure and judgment. The thought of not meeting expectations can be paralyzing. Therefore, we choose the temporary safety of doing nothing at all. This inaction, however, guarantees the very failure we are trying to avoid. By not starting, we ensure there will be no result, no growth, and no success. Pablo Picasso – MoMA
Perfectionism is another powerful driver of procrastination. We create an impossibly high standard for our work. The pressure to create something flawless stops us from even starting. We forget that progress is built on imperfect action. Pablo Picasso | MoMA himself was a famously prolific artist. He did not let the pursuit of a single perfect piece stop him from creating thousands of works. He understood that the act of creating—of loving the process—was more important than a flawless outcome.
Ultimately, these fears keep us locked in our comfort zones. While it feels safe, the comfort zone is a place of stagnation. It prevents new experiences and shields us from the challenges that foster growth. This self-imposed limitation is a direct path to the spiritual death the quote so powerfully warns against.
How to Avert the ‘Unbearable Death’
You can harness the quote’s wisdom to break free from procrastination. The key is to shift your perspective and take deliberate, consistent action. Start by reframing your fear. Instead of fearing failure, begin to fear the deep regret of inaction. Fear the emptiness of unfulfilled potential. This shift turns the quote into a powerful motivator. Pablo Picasso – Museum of Modern Art
Next, you must make your goals approachable. Break down large, intimidating projects into small, manageable steps. Completing a tiny part of a task is much less daunting than confronting the entire project at once. Each small victory builds momentum and helps you fall back in love with the process. This approach keeps you engaged and moving forward.
Furthermore, setting clear deadlines is crucial. Deadlines introduce a sense of urgency and structure. They combat the vague intention of “I’ll do it later.” Indeed, a significant portion of the population struggles with this. . This shows just how common the battle against inaction truly is. Source
Finally, give yourself permission to be imperfect. Embrace the idea of a “good enough” first draft. You can always revise and improve your work later. The most critical step is always the first one. By taking that step, you choose action over stagnation. You choose to engage, to create, and to live fully. You choose to avoid the unbearable death of a spirit that has ceased to love its own life. Pablo Picasso – National Gallery of Art