I believe the phrase “even if you work as if your life depends on it, you won’t actually die” is not necessarily true. Of course, the expression “to die” is often a hyperbole. However, it is a fact that some people approach things with such intensity, and these individuals often endure significant suffering.
Being “appropriate” (tekitou) means identifying the balance that is just right for oneself. This sense of appropriateness varies from person to person, as everyone has their own version of “just right.” What one finds acceptable becomes their “appropriate” level, which at times can lean toward being “casual” or “carefree.”
On the other hand, the phrase “doing it as if one’s life depends on it” allows no room for compromise. It signifies an attitude of holding onto unyielding convictions and seeing them through to the end. This differs from mere perfectionism; it arises when one’s very existence is deeply intertwined with the endeavor. While “appropriateness” can be seen as a compromise to protect oneself, there is no such leeway when facing something with “life-or-death” intensity.
The reason one cannot tolerate compromise toward a subject they pour their soul into is that it involves others or one’s future self. This subject is not limited to hobbies or professions; it extends to human relationships, one’s own body, and the mind. It can also concern values, emotions, ways of thinking, and behavior. For instance, feeling that your own actions, the actions of others, or your environment are “unforgivable” stems from facing them with this life-or-death intensity. This is not about literally wagering one’s life, but rather about matters that concern the essence of one’s existence.
To be involved in one’s existence means to be concerned with how one currently “is.” Even without risking one’s life, such issues inevitably arise. And that inevitability is sometimes impulsive and ephemeral. Since these situations can occur in daily life, as mentioned at the beginning, there are many people who face things with this intensity—and perhaps that is why so many suffer.
