Growing up in the land of opportunity I always had something to work toward. I spent 12 years working toward the next grade in school. While I was in school I worked to buy a car, so I could drive myself to work in the evenings after spending the days working towards college. Then I worked to pay rent while working toward my degree. Then I worked toward getting an internship - then a job - then a better job, so I could work to pay off my college debt. Before I knew it I was 27 years old and working was all I knew how to do.
I'm blessed by the opportunities to provide for myself, but in the year 2017 I believe there's more to life than just grinding. In one of my favorite songs Get By, Talib Kweli says
just to get by
We commute to computers
spirits stay mute while your egos spread rumors
We're survivalists, turned to consumers
just to get by
My values don't align with consumer culture, but as time goes on I've found myself increasingly succumbed to its pervasiveness. 27 was the year I decided that I didn't want to be a supporting actor in my life's story. Transitioning into the spotlight doesn't happen overnight, but when I revisit this blog decades from now, hopefully I'll be able to say that this is when it all began :)
I needed to change my habitat in order to become the person I want to be. We were living comfortably, but I felt like I didn't have room to spread my wings. We wound up purchasing a fixer-upper house with lots of space for activities - a basement, a garage, and a big yard with room for a greenhouse. The house will get a post of its own when we're done remodeling, but the introvert in me is excited about all of the growth opportunities I'll have access to within my home.
There are 168 hours in a week. I spend about 56 sleeping, 45 working, and 13 commuting. That leaves 54 hours/week that I'm in charge of. Subtract 5 of those for my morning routine, 5 more for errands and let's say 10 more for time spent cooking/eating. 34 waking hours per week remain. Right now I spend about 6 working out, 5 hours hanging out with my friends, 10 hours relaxing, and the other 13 are miscellaneous. Right now we're pretty busy with the remodel, so a lot of that time is spent at home depot or answering questions for the contractor.
I'd like to reallocate some of the work/commute hours into the other half of the equation, and I'd like to make the work hours more meaningful. Just like buying a home, career planning has proven to be a time-consuming and meticulous process. Thankfully I don't hate what I do now, so I can afford to be patient and selective with opportunities. I used to be thrilled by any job that came my way, but now I can't keep up with the messages that I get from recruiters looking for software engineers in Seattle. It's a bizarre feeling, but a welcome one for sure.
27 was the year I decided to make some big lifestyle changes. Maybe I'll fully turn the corner on these things before I hit 29.
I almost got lost in all that introspective stuff and forgot to mention my actual birthday. I had an amazing weekend with my family on the lake in Coeur D'Alene. I don't get to see my dad or brother very often, and their better halves are outstanding company as well. It goes without saying, but the icing on the cake was getting to spend some quality time with my favorite niece.
TGIB!
