Legacy is one of those words we often reserve for extraordinary people and circumstances. We might associate it with historic heroes, Hollywood movies, or celebrities or sports stars; people whose lives had such an impact they seem to live on after death.
It’s human nature to want to be remembered – to feel like we’ve made an impact on the world and left our mark in some way. And, despite its sometimes grand connotations, everyone will leave behind a legacy when they pass away…and it’s up to us to define what that legacy is.
What is legacy?
Before we delve into the different ways of leaving a legacy, it’s important to define what we mean. There are many definitions of legacy – some related to physical assets, like money or property left in a will. But usually, when people are talking about legacy, they’re referring to the intangible.
According to the Journal of Death and Dying, legacy means “passing on the essence of one’s self, in particular one’s values and beliefs. Legacy is a method of leaving something behind after death and making meaning of the end of life.” Often, it isn’t something you leave for your loved ones; it’s something you leave in them.
While many people believe their children are their legacy, from a theoretical standpoint this isn’t really true. Your children may inherit your legacy, but they themselves aren’t it. You are your legacy, and the values you live by, relationships you nurture, and impact you have, are the things you will ultimately leave behind.
But, while it’s natural to want to leave a meaningful legacy, it’s also normal to be unsure how to do this. And it can be surprisingly difficult to know exactly what you want to leave behind. How do you want to be remembered after you’re gone? What would you like your enduring impact to be?
These are difficult, sometimes confronting questions – but the answers can be found in what you’re meant to do while you’re alive. Your legacy is your own, so it should reflect your core values, and come from an authentic version of yourself. Only when you know what matters to you and what motivates you can you leave a legacy that’s truly meaningful to you.
So how can you ensure you leave a meaningful legacy? Let’s look at some ways below.
1. Self-reflect
The first step is knowing what you want to leave behind. One of the best ways to figure this out is to self-reflect: consider who you really are, what you believe, where you find purpose and meaning, and what your core values are. Defining what’s most important to you can fill you with a powerful sense of intention and a drive that creates joy and purpose – and once you know what matters most to you, you can create a roadmap for action.
While some people have a strong sense of identity, not everyone feels this way. No matter where we are in life, our journeys of self-discovery are never over, and it can take a long time to understand who we are. Plus, our sense of self can shift over time. If you feel unsure about who you are, you might want to read our article, Who am I? 7 tips to figure out who you truly are.
Otherwise, it can help to ask yourself some questions. It might feel a bit morbid, but if tomorrow was your last day on Earth (and you knew that), what thoughts would you have? Of everything you’ve done, what would you be most proud of? What would you regret? What days have you spent well and why? What time was wasted, and how? It’s important to think about whether you want to look back on a life that looks good to others, or one that felt authentically good to you.
2. Learn about your family history
While we’re not defined by our family history, there are many reasons why researching our roots can be a good thing to do. The first is that having a strong family narrative can have a positive impact on mental health. One study of 48 families found that the more people knew about their families, the higher their self esteem, and the stronger sense of control they had over their lives.
Learning about your family history can also strengthen your sense of identity. Understanding where your ancestors came from, and knowing what they lived through, allows you to appreciate the cultural, social, and historical context that your family came from – and this can provide a deep, meaningful connection to your roots. As Jamaican activist Marcus Garvey wrote, “A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.”
But perhaps the most compelling reason to explore your roots is to preserve your family’s legacy. By recording your family history and passing down this knowledge to future generations, you’re building your own legacy while allowing the memory of your ancestors to live on. If you’re not sure where to begin, why not start with a DNA test? You might be surprised by what you find – and you may even discover new family members all over the world.
3. Write your story
It’s said that everyone has a book in them so, if you enjoy writing, why not preserve your own history and write a memoir? Many of us wish we knew more about our parents and grandparents, particularly when they were young, and leaving your own story for future generations is like attaining a little piece of immortality. You won’t be just a name on a family tree; people will be able to understand who you were.
You don’t need to have lived an ‘extraordinary’ life to justify writing a memoir. Your life story is unique and important, and there’s not a single other person in the world who’s experienced exactly what you have. The life lessons you’ve learned along the way are valuable, and worthy of recording and sharing with others.
Putting pen to paper can be therapeutic too. Writing about your successes and failures, strengths and weaknesses, and highlights and milestones, doesn’t only give you a new perspective on life, it can also help you understand yourself better. This can encourage you to forgive yourself for past mistakes, acknowledge when you’ve overcome adversity, and give yourself a pat on the back for everything you’ve accomplished.
The insight you get from reflecting on your past and writing down your experiences can also change the shape of your future. You might decide to visit a long-lost friend, write that novel you’ve been dreaming about, or take that long-desired trip. After all, as Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard wrote, “Life can only be understood backwards, but must be lived forwards.”
If you’d like to find out more about writing your life story, you might want to read our articles, How to write a book and get it published, and So, you’re thinking about writing a memoir?
4. Give back
Leaving gifts in wills to charitable organisations is known as legacy giving. This is a great way to support causes close to your heart while building an enduring legacy. You can leave money, property, or items to charities in your will, and take comfort in knowing that you’ll be creating a lasting philanthropic impact after you’ve gone. But money isn’t the only way to give back – and there are many ways you can create a philanthropic legacy while you’re alive.
Why not consider volunteering for a charitable cause you’re passionate about? There are so many ways you can make a powerful difference to the lives of others, from walking dogs in shelters to cleaning up your local park to working in charity shops or food banks. Plus, not only will you be helping others and creating a legacy of kindness, you’ll also be doing your health a favour.
Research shows that volunteering has huge health benefits: it combats stress, depression, and anxiety, and can provide you with purpose, boost confidence, and keep you mentally stimulated and physically active. You’ll meet lots of new people, too, so you’ll be touching more lives and spreading your legacy: living it, as well as leaving it. To find out more, head over to the volunteer section of our website.
Another way of giving back is mentoring. People will remember you most by how they interacted with you – so what did you tell them? What wisdom did you pass on? Sharing your knowledge and setting an example is an excellent way to leave a legacy – and by mentoring others, you’ll not only be helping them, but you’ll help yourself too. Aside from making you feel good, mentoring promotes self-reflection, boosts motivation and confidence, and offers new perspectives.
You might want to read our article, Mentoring Young People – The Essential Guide, to find out more. Or for plenty of other ideas, check out our article; 17 meaningful ways to help others and give back to your community.
5. Live your legacy
Many people view their legacy as something that will happen after they die, but our legacies are built while we’re alive. While we can record our family history and write a memoir, the way we live our lives, day by day, is our true legacy. So do your best to live with authenticity and intention.
Remember that your legacy will live on in the relationships you build with friends, family members, and colleagues. So celebrate the people around you – your community. Try not to only focus on your own achievements, but to recognise and celebrate your community’s accomplishments too.
We’ve touched on how defining your legacy can be difficult if you don’t have a strong sense of self – and, similarly, knowing how to live your legacy can be tricky if you don’t have purpose. Without purpose, you may feel rudderless, like a ship with no sails. It’s difficult to live your legacy and live as well as you should, without any specific intentions to guide you. If you struggle here, you may want to read our article; 5 ways to find meaning and purpose in your life
Bear in mind that life is short and should be enjoyed, so try to seek out joy and laughter where you can. Pursuing fun and enjoyment isn’t frivolous or indulgent; it’s integral to both our physical and mental health, as research suggests that joyful people live longer and have better immune systems.
If you feel you’re not living as well as you could be, there are many ways you can bring more positivity to your life. For ideas, you might want to read our articles; 9 ways to start having more fun and Exploring ikigai – the Japanese secret to a joyful life
Final thoughts…
The desire to be remembered seems to be innate in humans, but it’s important to remember that we will all leave a legacy whether we like it or not. Legacies are a part of the cycle of life – what’s up to us is deciding on the type of legacy we want to leave behind.
Our actions and choices will define our legacy, and knowing who we really are and what our purpose is are instrumental in sculpting the legacy we want. Discovering these things can take time, effort, and plenty of self-reflection, but it’s worth the effort.
Remember that you don’t just leave a legacy – you should try to live it, too, and doing so means we’ll see the benefits of our efforts while we’re still here.
Have you thought about your legacy? Do you have any other ideas about how to leave a meaningful legacy? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.