33 Tidbits of Wisdom
From a recently-turned 33 year-old (that person is me)
Mystery Mob!!
It’s Andy. I know it’s been quite awhile since we last chatted. See, Mark and I have been working on some other creative projects (a novel for me and a few films for Mark).
Anyway, I had my 33rd birthday recently and found myself journaling and jotting down bits of wisdom that I’d tell my 20-year-old self if I could. Turns out, I had a lot to say. So for obvious reasons, I went ahead and whittled it down to 33 bits of advice (plus a bonus) to share with you all. (Am I qualified to be giving bits of wisdom? Idk. Who cares?)
If you enjoy them, let me know! If you don’t enjoy them, keep that to yourself. No one likes a downer.
33 Tidbits I’d Give to My Younger Self:
Find someone you love having “boring” days with. Marry them.
Surround yourself with people who encourage, embrace, and practice personal growth.
Be unapologetic about expressing what you want in life.
Go on daily walks. It’ll help your body and mind equally.
Regularly scheduled massages rule.
Read more books outside your preferred genres (and physical books, too; flipping a real page is unmatched).
Be loyal to people you work with, not the companies you work for.
Switching jobs pays more than waiting for internal promotions (just the way it is).
Sleep and diet impact mood more than we tend to admit to ourselves.
Perfect may indeed be the enemy of good, but neither impatience nor laziness are good excuses to settle on good.
LASIK was the best financial investment of my life. Get it if you qualify.
Journal, especially when traveling. Being forced to try to capture your mood, on paper lends weight to that moment in time. And it’s wonderful to re-read those pages after a few years.
Creative hobbies are a must.
Stretch. Every day.
Seeing movies by yourself rocks (and doubly so if you play hooky from work to do it).
Standing desks will keep your body happier than irregular exercise will.
That weekend trip invitation with friends that kind of sounds like a hassle? Say yes. You’ll be glad later.
Drink more water.
Maximize that 401k if you can, and if a company matches contribution, take advantage of it.
Learn how to cook (at least a few meals).
Buy summer clothes in winter and winter clothes in summer, the discounts are noticeable.
Go to museums.
Use a sick day from work to skip every now and again (see solo movie going note above; pair them).
Comfortable and durable beats trendy in the long run, especially for daily use items.
If you’re on vacation, don’t eat somewhere you can eat at home (replace the chain restaurants for something local).
Every 3-5 years, write out what your ideal next 3-5 years would be. It’s a good exercise.
Ask for forgiveness, not permission (at least, for most things; there are always caveats).
Under promise and over deliver (especially at work).
Spend money on experiences rather than on things.
If you didn’t buy/bring the pizza, don’t eat the last slice.
Only apologize if you’re actually sorry (tougher for us midwesterners, I know).
First drafts suck, and that’s okay - they lead to second drafts, which are better.
Be the person who suggests the restaurant. Every group needs that person.
BONUS (and blatantly stolen from my fiancée): Eat dessert first at every restaurant. Pair it with your appetizer. It’ll change your life.
Stay ‘spicious out there.
-Andy (@hill_tweets)