It’s Saturday 9:30pm on January 2nd 2016 and I’ve just spent my day considering what I want my new year to look like. I guess when I think about it, I’m considering what I want my entire future to look like.

 

I know it’s cliché to think about these things at new years but maybe I’m just a sucker for a cliché.

 

Maybe I should go back..

 

I’m 31 years old, I live in Kelowna BC, Canada which I just moved to a year ago and I absolutely love. I just finished which many would consider to be an incredible year. I opened a new store for my company, my girlfriend and I just bought our first new home on which we immediately undertook and completed a massive renovation, and I joined the Jr Chamber of Commerce where I co-chaired 3 projects and got voted onto the 2016 Exec team. I am very proud of what I have accomplished in my last year, But (the inevitable) I still feel my life is spiraling into mediocrity.

 

I have a 9 to 5 job that pays me a reasonable salary, $50k, a relationship that just entered it’s 3rd year and a new house, yard and a really cool man cave that I’m slowly putting together. Despite this I feel as of late that I am trapped by the life that I have built for myself. My job is unfulfilling at best and has been progressively deteriorating both by my engagement and financially and my house and relationship although positive, add to the cage I feel I have put myself in.

 

Now before I sound too self loathing I realize that this is the complaint of so many 30somes, that my problems are ordinary and not world impacting. I realize this yet I am still left with this empty hole in my life. This unfulfilled yearning to be something more than a mid level employee; To use more of my potential and creativity than working 40 hours a week to barely afford to live an average life. I need to do more with my life than check in and out of a job everyday, to drink 3 beers a night and binge Netflix with my girlfriend. I need more..

 

So here I sit, now 11:30pm considering what I can do to break free of my unextraordinary life.

 

I have a theory that there can be so much more to life than the daily grind. That intrigue, excitement, adventure are not just a part of the movies and shows we watch. I believe I can recapture the inspiration I felt when I was younger, when I looked at life with endless potential and possibility. I need to build my life from the lower middle rung I find myself on and give myself purpose. If I can commit this year to be about progressive change, sacrifice, decisiveness, goals, structure and challenges then I know when I sit looking at my life as I enter the following year I will be happier.

 

I have started this Blog as a record of my attempt to change my life for the better. I will keep a document of the challenges, decisions, struggles and successes I work through over the year. I don’t know where this path will lead me but I know I must strive to venture out into this unknown and seek out my better life.

 

I am both excited and frightened but I believe if I want it bad enough, I can scale my life and achieve the life of my dreams.

 

Sincerely,

 

Ryan Lancaster