Turning the Page

27 Lessons at 27

As I turned 27 two weeks ago, I’ve pieced together some ideas and lessons I’ve developed over my post-college years. These are things that I’m still learning and developing as I grow – but ones that 20-year-old me could have reaped some benefits from hearing.

Let’s go right in.

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1. Happiness Isn’t Under the Rock

You aren’t going to find happiness by turning over that next metaphorical rock – whether it’s a new job title, relationship, dollar amount, marathon time, etc.

Life is in the chase. Celebrate small wins but ultimately fall in love with the pursuit.

2. Therapy = 20 Minutes Outdoors

The answer you’re seeking is often in a 20-minute walk – no headphones, no distractions.

The clarity of mind and ability to problem solve that comes from this is second to none. Allow your mind to wander and be non-judgmental to wherever it may end up. Take note of common themes that arise, this is often what is overflowing within your subconscious and weighing you down.

3. The Week Starts Sunday

Sunday can be a make or break.

A proper Sunday routine is something I’ve come to enjoy and take pride in as I know it’s setting up the rest of the week for success. For me this means church, prepping meals, laundry, dishes, and organizing my work week. The Sunday scaries are real, don’t let them win!

4. Travel… and Travel Some More

Experiencing life outside your bubble is a fast-track to personal growth.

Seeing the world at large has paid dividends by shifting my perspective and transforming the lens I view life through. Book the flight, schedule the Airbnb, cram all your clothes into a carry-on – it will be worth it.

5. Organize in Seasons

There’s a season for sprinting and there’s a season for recuperating.

Establish what this phase of your year/month/week is necessitating and embrace it. For me, this has meant some seasons are for doubling down on my fitness routine at the expense of social time or work-related tasks and other times the exact opposite. Seasonality keeps life fresh and leads to more success than trying to do it all, all the time.

6. Pre-Bed Fiction > Sleep Supplements

Reading fiction before bed is better than any sleep supplement I’ve tried.

Plug your phone (on do not disturb) into the charger 20 minutes before your typical bedtime, pick up a fiction novel, and let your mind go. This will effectively lower your heart rate and allow you to seamlessly transition into a deep slumber. I promise you won’t make it 20 minutes.

7. Be Careful with Self-Help

The next book, podcast, or motivational clip isn’t magical.

Although it feels good to hear success stories and be told you can do anything in this world, simply consuming this content will NOT get you to where you want to go. Rather, use it as a spark to take action.

8. Busyness ≠ Productivity

Simply having a full calendar does not mean you are being productive.

It could mean you are creating an endless list of items to check off to avoid taking action on the things that actually move the needle. Ask yourself, “Is this truly useful? Will it serve me? Does it yield a net positive for the time it demands?”.

9. Rest Days = Growth Days

Spending time on the couch may be the most anabolic of all behaviors.

So long as you attack your non-rest days with intent, taking one day per week (or more) to rest both physically and mentally is incredibly effective. Metaphorically, you gather the raw materials on the active days, but rest days are where the product is assembled. Not only this, but burnout is avoided when you set aside the time to recuperate.

10. Everyone is Afraid

Everyone has similar thoughts you do but you only see what’s under your own hood.

They are also afraid to give the speech, raise their hand, talk to the person, bust a dance move, and express their true feelings. This is human nature and incredibly normal. Yet, it’s not an excuse – rather, it is a justification to lean into whatever limits you even harder. You aren’t unique in your thoughts, but you certainly can be unique in your actions if you choose to dive headfirst into what fears you most

11. Actions → Feelings (not vice versa)

You don’t feel your way into actions; you act your way into feelings.

Want to feel driven? Go on a morning run 3x/wk and prove to yourself you are driven person. Want to feel at ease? Meditate on a regular basis. You can’t alchemize feelings without ingredients which uncoincidentally are the actions that lead to these emotional states. Feelings are earned, not manufactured haphazardly.

12. Friends are a Life Force

No matter how successful your personal ambitions are, they aren’t going to fulfill you without people to share life with.

Simply put, having a close group of friends (less is more here) pays dividends beyond your wildest expectations. Prioritize this like you would a regular exercise routine.

13. More Caffeine ≠ Solution

The answer to your fatigue and/or stress isn’t at the bottom of the cold brew.

Relying on caffeine to combat tiredness and stress is a slippery slope. Sure, it can help momentarily but it borrows energy and motivation from later when done in excess. Caffeine in moderation, before noon, is a good motto to live by.

14. WWTBVOMDRN

What would the best version of myself do right now?

A powerful question to ask when in a rut or low on motivation. If I was the best me at this moment, would I get out of bed or hit snooze twice more? Would I go for a morning walk or sit on the couch and scroll? Would I throw on another episode or go read? Be the best version of you even when you don’t feel like the best version of you.

15. Meat & Potatoes

Actually – ground beef, chicken, eggs, rice, potatoes, cottage cheese, and Greek yogurt.

A rotation of these foods has kept my health at an elite level for the past 5 years, even when juggling a busy schedule. Find your staple nutritious foods, rotate them and add in variety as needed – but ultimately, embrace the boring to look and feel incredible. Boring doesn’t mean tasteless, either… seasoning and condiments are your friend.

16. No Rushed Mornings

The morning sets the mood for the entire day – be intentional.

Sprinting around in the morning just to leave 5 minutes late to rush to work sets you up for quite the stressful day. Give yourself time to welcome in the day slowly and prepare for what’s to come. Those extra few minutes of sleep aren’t worth it.

17. Write… but Not to Post

Don’t write to click publish – do it as a creative outlet.

Everyone has a semblance of a creative calling inside them. Whether it’s writing poetry, making music, or crocheting – there’s something there and it’s our job to express it. We must not simply consume (e.g., TikTok) but we must also create – not for others, but for our own means of release.

18. Isolation ≠ Recovery

When feeling in a rut, seek others. Don’t look for answers solely within.

It’s ordinary to turn inwards when going through a rough patch. But inversely, this is one of the least effective ways to cope with life stress. Instead, surround yourself with good people, lean into community, and allow the connectivity to foster your renewal.

19. Don’t be Afraid to Go Alone

Don’t wait for others to experience the life you want to live.

Sounds contradictory to #18 but this is a different context. When wanting to see that movie, try out the new restaurant, or explore a city you haven’t been to, don’t bank on having a group to do it with. People’s schedules are busy and often don’t overlap – when this is the case, go alone. A solo trip will teach you more about yourself than you can conceive.

20. Establish Small Reminders

We often go through our days on autopilot – prompt yourself to change speeds.

Maybe it’s a phone background, sticky note on your mirror, or reminder alert. Whatever you choose, establish cues to come back to the present moment and embrace the mindsets/tactics/habits you’ve been working to establish.

21. Do What Scares You

The treasure you seek is in the cave you fear to enter the most.

Doing scary things proves to yourself you are the person you say you are. This is where self-confidence arises. There’s no better feeling than overcoming that nervous temptation to avoid a situation. Compound this over time and what used to traumatize you becomes the new normal.

22. Embrace To-Do Lists

A written to-do list declutters your mind and prevents forgetful blunders.

Maintaining a list of actions you must take and deadlines to meet is crucial to managing time effectively. Without it, you’re often left thinking “What else?” and experience a low-level background anxiety that you’re potentially forgetting something important. A $15 yearly planner is a life hack.

23. Lose the Agenda (Sometimes)

Contrarily, don’t live every moment in according to your daily itinerary.

A recent trend I’ve found compelling is to embrace your free will. Too often we get tied up in the rat wheel of an everyday routine and this can become mundane. However, we can step out of it. Stop by that thrift shop you’ve wanted to check out on your way home, go eat at the local diner instead of getting takeout, stop in and read at the coffeeshop on a weekend rather than staying at home.

24. Embrace Your Chapter, Cheer for Others

Everyone is on a different page in a different book, don’t skip chapters or you’ll risk not getting the whole story.

Comparison is truly the thief of joy. It’s tempting to place yourself against others of a similar age, but this does much more harm than good. Settle into the stage of life you’re in and most importantly, root for others wherever they may find themselves. It’s self-destructive to wish bad upon others out of insecurity – don’t be that person.

25. The Power of Silence

There’s wisdom in understanding when to use your voice and when to use your ears.

We were given two ears and one mouth for a reason, eh? It’s commonplace – particularly in more tense environments – to believe that me must entertain others to feel a sense of assurance. Understand though, people enjoy hanging around you not because of how much you entertain them, but often how much you make them feel heard. Listen.

26. If Nothing Else, Probably Sleep

If you can’t find the answer to your lackluster internal state, it’s likely sleep.

Sleep is a wonder drug but also the last thing we look to as a solution. It’s passive and we feel as if we are squandering time to fix whatever it is that is dragging us through the rocks. Yet well too often it’s the exact reset necessary to realign and feel more like yourself. 7-9 hours daily – protect it but don’t obsess over it.

27. Take a Bite

Don’t live a toothless life, lean in and truly live.

Life is an adventure; we are here for too short of a time not to get what we desire out of it. Have a story to tell when you cash in your chips – don’t roll up without a scar or two to show for your time.

28. Unteachable Lessons Speak the Loudest

And for the plus-one, some lessons must be learned the hard way.

Along your voyage of taking a bite out of life, you might chew into a worm or lose a front tooth. But regardless, you’ll learn and grow from your experience. Glean wisdom from others but realize the lessons you hold most dear are the ones you acquired yourself.

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Can’t wait to see what 30-year-old me has to say about this list.

Actually, 30 can hold off a little.

For those with more years and life experience, I would love to hear what you would add to or subtract from this list.

Cheers.

Quote of the Week:

“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” – Mary Oliver

If you’d like to go the extra mile and support me on this journey, consider helping caffeinate me by using this link!

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DISCLAIMER

This is NOT Medical advice. Consult your medical professional before starting any supplement, diet regimen, or workout program.