I’ve always hated writing. English classes, SAT essays, college applications - they incited deep-seated feelings of panic1. But now I’m voluntarily committing to myself to write consistently2? What’s up with that?
A co-worker had been challenging others to do a 30-day writing challenge, and my roommate stepped up to the plate. While he tried to get me a few times, my historical hatred for writing drove my resounding response: “no🙅♂️”. But it got me thinking, if I had to write 30 days in a row, what would I even write?
Curiosity got the best of me and I started to jot down a list in my Notes app of all different things I would write about. It started with the things I love - running, adventures, mountains, data3. It had stories of some of my favorite experiences - coaching swim, watching the sunrise from 11,000 feet, running rim-to-rim at the Grand Canyon, road tripping 2 weeks around the Pacific Northwest. Then I decided to expand it to lessons I’ve learned in my career and life - how I got into analytics, reflections about growing up multi-culturally, my mindset on productivity.
And then I actually got kind of excited about writing those stories and ideas. I want somewhere to log my adventures, sort through incomplete ideas on nuanced topics, and track how my perspectives have developed.
So without further ado, this is Young, Wild, and Free, a collection of reflections on my experiences - my adventures in the mountains, career in analytics, journey to becoming an ultramarathoner, lessons I’ve learned about life, and more!
Sorry to my former English teachers… if it’s any consolation, despite my distaste for your subject, you did tend to be some of my favorite teachers
At least the goal is consistency… we’ll see how that goes in practice. I’m also intentionally not defining how frequent “consistently” will be to take the pressure off so I can hopefully enjoy this
I get it - I’m a nerd🤓
Gooooo Johnny! So excited! 💕
Great! I will be your loyal reader. 😊