Some of the things I did this year:

• Writing and thinking
• Playing music
• Media I consumed (& recommend!)
• Running
• Genuine connections

Writing and thinking

I started writing essays and journaling this year and it has been profoundly impactful and meaningful. Writing is a powerful tool to process feelings and thoughts and also a medium of expression. I wrote more about the power of writing here: Verbalizing and writing. New insight: Writing is thinking!

Playing music

One of the biggest and most rewarding commitments I made this year was playing more music, both solo projects and playing in bands with other people. Playing music is fun. Music is awesome.

Media I consumed (& recommend!)

Those who know me personally know that I really enjoy the arts and value the media I consume. Our diet consists of the food we eat, the media we consume, and the people we surround ourselves with. We should aim to eat well.

Here are some of the essays, books, music and films I really enjoyed this year:

Essays

• Many of Paul Graham’s essays. Here are two you can start with: How to Think for Yourself and How to Disagree.
• Kelly Sundberg, It Will Look Like A Sunset. One of the best essays I’ve read this year.

Books

• Eckhart Tolle, A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose. Life-changing book.
• Haruki Murakami, Dance Dance Dance. One of my all-time favorites. I read it twice this year.
• Peter Thiel and Blake Masters, Zero to One Notes on Start-Ups, or How to Build the Future. This book isn’t just for start-up people, it’s for everybody.

Music

• American Football. All of their stuff, especially Uncomfortably Numb, Stay Home, I Can’t Feel You, and Mine To Miss.
• Ethel Cain, Preacher’s Daughter. Also check out: Famous Last Words, God’s Country and Waco, Texas.
• Haruka Nakamura.
• Toe, NOW I SEE THE LIGHT. I saw them live this year, it was unreal.
• Kendrick Lamar, GNX. Specifically, reincarnated and luther.

Films

Please watch them without looking at the synopsis or any reviews!

• Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, 2004.

• The Truman Show, 1998.

• Good Will Hunting, 1997.

• Perfect Days, 2023.

Running

I started running in November and have been doing a weekly 10 – 15 km.

I realized I have been approaching running wrong the entire time. You are NOT supposed to push yourself. Instead, focus on your breathing and run with an empty mind. Let go of the control and allow your body to move on its own. I used to hate running, but I have grown to like it a little bit more now with this new approach.

Genuine connections

“In this terrifying world, all we have are the connections that we make.”

Discovering the value of genuine connections was the biggest breakthrough in 2024 for me. I am still figuring out what exactly all of this means, but I know that it is something I value very much.

So, if you are reading this, let’s get in touch/catch up! Tell me what your 2024 was like!