A Letter to Myself as I Started My Career

Over the last 8 years, I almost went blind. I got married and divorced. Gained weight and lost weight. Moved to three different states and about 8 different addresses. Took up kayaking, cycling, yoga and meditation. Watched a Cubs World Series and became a father. As someone who at 22 planned to move back to my hometown as soon as possible and marry my high school sweetheart, none of this was part of my plan. Which is great, because at 22, I was clueless. Reaching my thirties now, I have gained a lot of interesting life experience. Failures are just little chunks of experience we pick up along the way. If I could go back in time and send myself a letter, this is what I would tell my young arrogant self.

Dear Ryan, (I actually do have a name)

First off bro, congratulations on graduating college. I sometimes wonder how we got through it, but nothing worth doing is easy. Go out and celebrate by buying that new car. I can’t recommend buying a new car right out of college, but you landed a solid job and will travel a lot for work. Besides, 8 years later she’s still on the road so that investment worked out. Just stay away from luxury cars. After a couple of years, they lose their luster, along with their value. Everyone should buy a new car once so they can learn that life mistake.

Finances