Plan for Peace: Why Every Adult Needs Advance Directives

Let me tell you about my friend Jordan.

Jordan is 34, married, two kids under 10, a busy job, and a to-do list longer than a CVS receipt. Jordan is the planner of the friend group—the one with the birthday calendar, the backup snacks, and the color-coded family schedule.

But two years ago, Jordan’s mom had a stroke. It happened out of nowhere. One day they were swapping recipes, the next Jordan was in a hospital room, heart racing, listening to doctors ask:

“Who should make decisions if your mom can’t speak for herself?”

“Does she have a health care proxy?”

“Is there a power of attorney in place?”

Jordan had no idea. And neither did anyone else.

In the middle of shock and fear, Jordan had to guess what their mom would’ve wanted. No one wants to make those kinds of calls in a moment like that. And no one should have to.

That’s what advance directives are for.

Advance directives are legal documents that spell out your wishes in case something happens and you can’t speak for yourself. This includes your Living Will (what treatments you’d want or refuse), your Health Care Proxy (who can speak for you), and your Power of Attorney (someone who can manage your affairs).

They aren’t just for older people. They’re for every adult.

Because life is unpredictable.

Because your family deserves peace, not pressure.

Because your voice should be honored—even in silence.

Jordan has one now. So does their partner. And they’ve talked about it with their parents, too. They say it feels like crossing something off their list that’s been sitting there too long.

You don’t need to be perfect or have everything figured out.

But you do need a plan.

Start with your voice.