Outside of our outdoor recreation, my passion is writing. Throughout the year, I’ve collected a list of things I learned this year. This was a truly transformative year spent in the beautiful state of Utah that I get to call home, working a full-time day job, following my passions outdoors, and continuing to become exactly who I was meant to be. I strive to use my platform to share my inner machinations, learning, and musings with the audience I’ve cultivated.
So, if you’ve landed here, thank you. It’s exactly where you’re supposed to be.
Big fan of this analogy: your muscles ache after a workout because they’re rebuilding stronger. Life works the same way. When things fall apart, it’s not failure; it’s the foundation for something better. I know it might hurt but trust the process. Better things are on the horizon.
The theme throughout this reflection is taking cliches or common sayings and FINALLY experiencing the true meaning behind them. So, up next: no matter where you go, there you are. Instead of running away again, learn to fall in love with who you are. Self-acceptance is the key to your inner peace and a whole frickin’ world of possibilities.
Too often, I ditched a place, experience, or people before our stories were done. I now know that’s because I was running from myself. You might think that a new city or partner will fix all your problems and make you finally feel better, but oftentimes, looking within and finding out why you run will.
I haven’t drank since July of this year. I love my choice, and while I don’t judge, I truly believe you do not need to drink to have fun. The best moments come from genuine connections, laughter, and the right energy. Who you surround yourself with and the vibes are more important than what you are sipping on.
On that note, surround yourself with people who inspire and uplift you. Let go of relationships that drain your energy. Outgrowing people isn’t a loss; it’s growth. I was always taught you’re the sum total of the five people closest to you, choose them wisely.
What you focus on becomes your reality. Fixate on fear, and it will consume you. Focus on possibilities, and your world will expand. You’re a magnet—choose what you attract carefully.
We attract what we believe in and must believe in ourselves.
The energy and emotion we put into the world comes back to us. Be mindful of the thoughts, emotions, energy, etc. you let into your life.
I love doing things solo. It provides me time to reflect, explore at my own pace, and be my own boss. Being alone isn’t lonely—it’s empowering. Solo adventures build confidence, clarity, and a stronger connection with yourself. Sitting alone at a restaurant or taking photos on your solo hike with a tripod is not shameful. Do you.
Once again, in relation to the above lesson, embarrassment is optional. You choose to be embarrassed. Or, you can choose to be confident. So what if you and your friends are being a little too silly in public? We only get one chance on this earth: be your most authentic self and do the silly little things you want without worry of judgment.
Hard times give life contrast. Without the storms, the sunshine wouldn’t feel as sweet. Without the bad days, you wouldn’t truly know what the good days feel like. Embrace every season for what it is.
Read my blog post that expands on this, What is Happiness.
Spend it on what sets your soul on fire. Protect it fiercely, and don’t waste it on things that don’t matter. One of my biggest pet peeves is people who waste mine.
It’s your internal GPS. Listen to it: Whether it saves your life, changes your path, or nudges you toward destiny. It always knows.
It doesn’t mean you’ll always like the answer or want to do it, but I always have an inner feeling of what I should do. Nothing will help you get off track and feel misaligned more quickly than ignoring and neglecting it.
Speaking from personal experience? Yes, a million times yes. Have I learned my lesson? We’ll see.
But please don’t ignore your intuition – it’s trying to tell you something.
Sometimes, you don’t need anyone else’s advice because you already know what to do. You already know what you want to do. Remember, not everyone’s advice is relevant (and that goes for me, too – my advice may not be relevant at all, and that’s fine).
You’re more likely to regret what you didn’t do than what you tried. Think about it this way: oftentimes, when you eat it on a snowboard, it’s because you hesitated. Send it full grit, and you’ll land. And even if you don’t, you’ll learn what you need to do differently so you can do it better for the next time.
Stop comparing your timeline to others. You’re exactly where you’re meant to be.
The right choice might be wrong if done at the wrong time.
You can be disciplined in one aspect of life but not in others
One of the great benefits of discipline is that it typically does transfer over to other aspects of your life. However, sometimes, it needs to be more intentional.
Dreams do come true. But usually not in the way, order, or timing we thought they would. Be freaking patient, be open, and let opportunities and experiences come to you when they’re meant to.
Let it excite you. Growth only happens when you embrace change, so lean into the unknown.
“Goodness is not goodness that seeks advantage. Good is good in the final hour. In the deepest pit—without hope, without witness. Without reward. Virtue is only virtue, in extremist.” -Dr. Who
What does that mean? Be kind first. Be kind when there is nothing for you in return. Be kind even at your lowest of lows. You never know how much one small act can brighten someone’s day. Grace is a gift, not a transaction.
While I am still not the best at this, the sad truth is that we are limited by time in the interests we can pursue. Find a few things you’re passionate about and hone in on those activities. Whatever you do, don’t spread yourself too thin.
Seriously, this is my whole mission here. As you may know, I got into the outdoors as an adult. I never had the chance to explore when I was young. Whether you’re 30, 40, or beyond, the best time to start is now.
In five years, five years will still pass, and you will be 35 whether you decide to go back to school or not. So you might as well do what it is you want to do.
People need to be ready to help themselves. Offer support, but know when to step back and let them find their own way. This is a sad truth of life. Sometimes we see others struggling and going through challenging times, and we want to help them but they aren’t at a point yet to be helped. Usually, because they haven’t hit their rock bottom yet. For a person with a big heart, this can be hard to accept, but we need to wait until that person is ready to receive our help.
Saying “no” isn’t selfish; it’s essential. Protect your peace, honor your needs, and remember: you can’t pour from an empty cup.
As a recovering people pleaser, my biggest fear is people not liking me. I hate that feeling of disappointing people, though sometimes it feels like that happens either way, so why not set boundaries so at least I’m happy and more stable?
Saying no to something or someone when it’s not in alignment with you and who you are isn’t being rude or something to be ashamed of, it’s you taking care of yourself and that’s something to be proud of.
Sometimes, silence is better. Not every battle is worth fighting, and not every opinion needs to be shared. Yes, it seriously took me 29 years on this earth to learn this.
Life moves fast. We are mid-December, and I feel like this year has been decades but also 5 minutes long. Take time to savor the small moments, or you’ll miss the beauty in the everyday. That gorgeous sunrise on your daily commute, the compliment a stranger gives you, the laughter shared with friends after a long time away from them- these are the things that make it all worthwhile. Notice them and be present.
My favorite movie is Soul. It’s all about the main character, Joe, finding his “purpose” but in the end, he realizes his purpose wasn’t something showstopping and lifechanging, life’s purpose is simply to live.
Similar to my above point, make sure to take joy in the mundane. Turn chores into opportunities for gratitude, be thankful you have the body and ability to do them. Reframe “I have to” into “I get to,” and watch your mindset shift.
Closed mouths don’t get fed. Whether it’s an opportunity, support, or clarity, the worst thing you’ll hear is “no.” Overcommunication is better than none. Confidence gets you farther than not speaking up.
Your mistakes don’t define you. They teach you. Take the lesson, leave the guilt, and keep moving forward.
Be proud of those stupid, childlike mistakes. Be thankful for that horrible, horrible relationship you stayed in for months too long. These lessons taught you something about yourself; without them, you wouldn’t be who you are now. Remember: No Ragrats.
When I say everything happens for a reason, I also tack on this sentence. The worst, most awful experience of your life may happen, and you’ll struggle to believe that this, too, happened for a reason. But trust me when I say it did. It’s up to you to take a lesson from everything that happens to you: the good, bad and ugly. Plus, bonus! When you learn from it, even the worst experiences can lead you to a positive outlook and thankfulness.
