The impact of conscientiousness was interesting but not surprising. It makes sense that one who is actively aware and diligent in their actions would commit to healthier and less risky life decisions. This finding made me reflect upon my own life and the decisions I have made. Compared to Patricia and John, my conscientiousness score was rather low. However, while I find it undesirable that I am perhaps more impulsive and unhappier than others, I do find solace in that it is unlikely that I will live as long. While some may speculate how wonderful it would be to be able to live eternally, I find it to be an over-romanticized superpower. Though it is a matter of opinion, I don’t have any desire to drag out days of repetition and mundanity in a stage in my life where many of my friends and family would be dead, suffering from chronic illness, or no longer young enough to enjoy certain freedoms and autonomy. Though I do understand the appeal of longevity, I personally won’t aspire to live well into my 90s. However, I would like to increase my conscientiousness for the sake of enjoying a higher quality of life in the present and immediate future.
I thought that you had an interesting perspective on the concept of longevity. Aiming to be conscientious is a desirable goal in order to truly embrace the present and future you will be living in. Sometimes the best thing to do in a dangerous situation is to walk away and believe you deserve more than the short thrill being reckless can bring.
I hope you succeed in your ability to be conscientious. In the case that you do live a long life, I don’t think it will be bad as you think- there will be people around you who love and care about you. Bonus: you can adopt as many cats and dogs and other friendly animals and all live happily together!