The milestone of turning 30 often feels like a significant crossroads. It’s a time for reflection, a moment to pause and look back at the path we’ve traveled while simultaneously gazing forward at the road ahead. For me, this decade-marker has prompted a deep dive into what truly matters. It’s no longer just about hitting traditional milestones, but about building a life that feels authentic and fulfilling from the inside out. After much thought, I’ve distilled my focus into four key priorities that will guide my journey from here.

1. Weaving a Rich Tapestry of Memories

I’ve come to see life as a book that we write day by day. We can’t go back and edit past chapters; the regrets and mistakes are permanent ink on the pages. But those moments, even the ones that make us cringe, are part of our unique story. What seems far more tragic than a book with a few flawed passages is an empty one—a thin volume with little to read.

When I imagine myself years from now, perhaps too old or frail to venture out, I know the one thing I’ll have left is my collection of memories. They will be my comfort against the fear and pain that can come with the final chapters of life. My goal is to ensure that when that time comes, I can look back on my story and feel a profound sense of satisfaction, knowing I wrote a life rich with experience.

2. Nurturing Connections and Learning to Love

We are all, to some degree, selfish. It’s a natural human trait, like a gravitational pull that centers our universe on ourselves. But this gravity can also hold us back from giving and receiving the one thing we need at every stage of life: love.

I once believed that success—money, respect, achievements—was a substitute for love. It took me years to understand that without love in my heart, none of those things are truly attainable. A life without love makes the air feel thinner, makes every challenge harder, and ultimately isolates you. I now see that pursuing love isn’t just a “nice” thing to do; it’s the fundamental foundation upon which all other goals are built.

But learning to love well is a skill. It requires empathy, presence, and an open heart. I was recently reminded of this when a friend visited unexpectedly. My dog, unprepared for a guest, started barking frantically. My immediate reaction was to ignore my friend and focus entirely on calming my dog. In that moment, I failed to offer the warm welcome my friend deserved.

Experiences like these are lessons. Had I been the visitor, I might have felt hurt, but it would have been a powerful, negative example of what not to do. Conversely, when I’m greeted with warmth and enthusiasm, I learn from a positive example. My second priority, therefore, is to actively learn how to love the people around me better—to be present, to be warm, and to put connection first.

3. The Search for True Passion

I didn’t have the luxury of exploring my passions in my early twenties; the focus was on stability. I’m incredibly fortunate to have found a stable job that pays the bills. But after three years, I’ve realized that while money removes struggles, it doesn’t add spiritual fulfillment.

I’m not driven by material possessions; a shopping spree doesn’t fill the void. What truly energizes me is creating meaningful connections with others. The question is, how? I believe the answer lies in finding what I’m good at, what I believe has value, and then using that skill to serve others. My third priority is to embark on this search—to try new things, explore different paths, and discover the work that makes my heart sing. Hopefully, by providing genuine value, I’ll build the connections I crave.

4. Redefining a Healthy Relationship with Health

“Health is the most important thing.” We hear it all the time. But I also believe health is a resource meant to be used. Spending your entire life preserving your health at all costs means you might arrive at the end with nothing else to show for it. And since we all face the same ending, that seems like a tragic waste.

I once watched a documentary about BASE jumpers who live on the edge, fully aware that any jump could be their last. They use their bodies hard, and in doing so, they seem to live, love, and experience everything with a fierce intensity. While I have no plans to take up BASE jumping, their philosophy resonates with me. Life is about finding a balance.

Right now, I’m young enough that I can stay up late and still feel fine the next morning. My body is resilient. But I know health is like a battery—it’s easy to recharge when you’re young, but over time, its overall capacity diminishes, and you can’t get that back. My priority isn’t to be reckless, but to use my physical energy wisely while I have it, without living in fear. I’ll use my body to build memories and find my passion, and I’ll honor it by never skipping an annual check-up, ensuring I know when the “battery health” needs attention.

A Journey, Not a Destination

These four pillars—memories, love, passion, and health—aren’t a checklist to be completed. They are a compass. They represent a conscious choice to build a life that’s not just lived, but felt. It’s a commitment to using my health to build memories, finding passion that fosters love, and weaving them all together into a story I’ll be proud to read one day. The path isn’t perfectly clear, but for the first time, I feel like I’m holding the map.