30 life lessons for my 30th birthday.
Photo taken by one of our hut custodians up at The Cambell Glacier Chalet in April 2023, outside of Golden, BC. One of my favorite places in the whole entire world…..
Reflecting on the last days of my 20’s
and embracing 30 with arms wide open.
I have really been looking forward to this chapter for quite some time and am absolutely fired up for the next decade ahead - so here’s 30 things that I believe are important to know and live by:
Ride a bicycle. Buy a new one, pick one up off Marketplace, borrow your friend’s, get a Walmart bike. Doesn’t matter - just ride it. To the bars. To the store for groceries. To the library to return books. To the trailhead for a hike. To your friends birthday party. Hell lap it around the neighborhood 4 times during lunch. Just get on a bike and ride it. Ripping my gravel bike every available day has EXPONENTIALLY increased my happiness.
Don’t give gifts. Give your time. Undisrupted, undisputed, present. in. the. moment. time. No phones, no tv, no screens, no distractions, no excuses. Just respectful engaged fully present time. Nobody ever remembers the things you give them, but they damn well remember how you made them feel.
If you’re on the right path - your body will tell you, the universe will send you signs, and your soul will be at peace. Whatever you do - do not let anybody waver you from this path.
Do things that make you forget your phone exists. THESE are the best days.
There are three different types of fear - learn them and learn to manage them.
Do hard things. And I don’t mean taxes. Push your body to physical and mental limits - this is where you find out who you really are.
Buy a camera to take photos. iPhone photos aren’t nearly as memorable. Get a point and shoot, something simple, easy, and foolproof - and take photos that you’ll actually want to look back on. The lived experience with a camera over a phone is also that much better.
Earn your beers. A cold beer tastes so much better after you’ve sweated for it.
Making excuses does nothing but rob yourself of your potential.
Beauty standards is where beauty goes to die. Botox shmotox. Skip the expensive extensive ‘routine’ care. The most beautiful people I’ve encountered are the ones who are happy and live truthfully to who they are.
Never stop moving. Walk, cycle, lift, swim, climb, ski, run. Whatever it is - just don’t quit.
Don’t do things just because everybody else is doing them.
Nothing NOTHING nothing in life is guaranteed. Once you realize this, daily life becomes so much sweeter.
Every single thing that you own holds inventory over you. Choose very wisely.
Put in the effort and take care of yourself. Brush your hair, wash your face, get dressed, invest in clothes that you love, eat simple protein rich whole meals, skip the processed sugar, move move move, and get outside every day.
You hold the keys to your happiness. Y O U.
The most important decision you’ll make in life is who you marry (if you are someone who is seeking out marriage). This one is actually from my parent’s - but I fully agree. The person you choose to spend your life with 100% determines your fate. THIS IS SO IMPORTANT!!
Optimizing your life won’t make you happier. Fuck efficiency. We are humans - not robots. Re-prioritize and let go of what’s not working.
Open your mouth less and open your ears more.
The good days aren’t coming, the good days haven’t passed, the good days are here right now. It’s up to you to believe this.
The next best version of yourself is waiting for you if you’re willing to put in the work.
If the low points of life don’t launch you into a new perspective then you aren’t learning the lessons.
Do things purely for enjoyment. The idea of monetizing every aspect of your life is where the whole concept of living goes to die.
Never ever stop learning. Sports, hobbies, languages, arts, history, degrees, etc. Your brain will thank you later.
Find your flow state. That locked in moment where the world melts away and you’re fully immersed in the present experience at hand - find what gives you this feeling and keep doing it.
Take every single minute of time off that is available to you. Nobody gets to the end of life and wishes they spent more time working.
Being busy does not equate to a fulfilled life. Those who are living their best are the ones fully in control of their time, health and happiness.
There are risks and then there are calculated risks. Know the difference. Take calculated risks and life will reward you.
Aging is a privilege. As Jimmy Buffett said “wrinkles only go where the smiles have been”. Embrace this.
High fives, fist bumps, and tell your friends you love them. Chase the stoke of life and experience it with others along the way. These are the moments that matter.
