Today I turned 29 and I can't help but notice that this birthday isn't hitting quite as hard as previous years. I don't quite have an answer for why. Maybe it's part of getting older. Maybe it's more stability in my day-to-day than in years past. If it's the latter, then that's set to change.

On the career side, I'm parting ways with Metabase and looking for a new gig after 4 years. On the life side, I recently got engaged to my wonderful fiancé. Things are going to look different a year from now, and I'm truly excited about that. Bring on the good, bad, and everything in between. Now without further ado, here are the things that I've learned and leaned on.

Author’s note: I’ve added a ⭐️ next to the principles that are new this year. This helps me see how my mindset changes from one post to the next.
  1. Both bad and good things happen in waves.
  2. Clear communication can help circumvent many types of problems. ⭐️
  3. There’s nothing more important than relationships with those you care about.
  4. Don’t treat mysteries as puzzles. Not everything can be answered.
  5. Taste matters. Details matter. ⭐️
  6. In all things, double down on what works.
  7. Experience stretching steals wonder from life. Appreciate the simple.
  8. Most decisions should be made on 1-2 variables alone.
  9. Control the things you can control. ⭐️
  10. Don't latch your identify onto outcomes. They won't last forever.
  11. Take time to understand how you have been programmed.
  12. You can’t enjoy highs without experiencing lows. Life is a pendulum.
  13. Nobody can teach us the things that matter in life.
  14. Great things come from showing up day after day. ⭐️
  15. A little gratitude goes a long way.
  16. Comfort isn’t weakness.
  17. Find little things to care about. Even if they are silly.
  18. Breakdowns can be essential to dislodge us from an undesirable state.
  19. Don’t overreact when you feel stuck.
  20. The worst case scenario isn’t as bad as you think it is. ⭐️
  21. Learning new things rarely disappoints as a source of fulfillment.
  22. Life doesn’t get easier. You’ll never “have it all figured out,” and that’s okay.
  23. Move around a little bit every morning. You’ll feel better. ⭐️
  24. Breathe. Breathe again. Breathe one more time. Repeat.
  25. Rituals create meaning in a world where meaning is hard to find.
  26. Happiness is often finding the right balance of consistency and novelty. ⭐️
  27. The things that are worthwhile are never easy.
  28. Make time for reflection. It doesn’t happen naturally.
  29. Things aren’t nearly as black-and-white as you think they are.

If you're interested in more principles or how my perspective has shifted over time, you can find reflections from previous years below. I hope you found something meaningful here. See you next year.

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