We've all heard the saying "seize the day"; it is one of the oldest pieces of life advice in Western history. But what does it really mean? And how can we use it to jump-start our lives? In the age of distraction, carpe diem is more essential than ever, and so philosopher Roman Krznaric seeks answers in the neuropsychology of regret and the anthropology of play, as well as medieval carnival rites, religious conceptions of the afterlife, and early Japanese cinema. Making a plea to live with greater passion, consciousness, and intention—but with no regrets—Krznaric reveals insights from the lives of great seize-the-day practitioners, including nightclub dancers, war photographers, bored housewives, and committed revolutionaries.