A Note to Myself

Around 10 years ago, I wrote a letter to myself. In that letter, I promised to live an interesting and full life without bankrupting myself.

I have since lost that letter. So instead of losing this one, I've decided to publish it here.

Based on everything I know about life now at 33, this is what I want out of it:

I want to always be present and patient with loved ones. I want to feel healthy enough, and even though it seems a little vain, I want to look great standing next to Iryna (she’s always in good shape).

I want to wake up every day feeling good, and when too many days in a row I don’t feel good, I want to have the ability to change things. I want to spend my days working on something I care about, and more importantly, I want to only work with people I like.

I want to care about money only to the extent that it allows me to buy back my time so I never have to do anything I don’t like, take care of the people I love, and give to causes and people I care about. Beyond that, I want to read this once in a while to remind myself that it isn’t the be-all and end-all, that I know plenty of miserable rich people.

I want to stumble upon this post in a few years and think to myself, “Damn, you really did it. And you have a story to tell your kids.”

June 8, 2024 - Nordstorm Cafe @ Westfield Santa Anita