I turn 37 in a few weeks.

And I’ve been thinking about what getting older actually gives you.

You accumulate a lifetime of pains.

But you also accumulate a lifetime of joys.

Your life is as good as whichever one you choose to keep looking at.

So, over the next few Elixirs, I want to share some of the things that have genuinely helped me.

I’ve categorised them to make them easier to navigate.

(Also provided direct links to things I love - these are non-affiliate; I have used them nearly every day for the last 10+ years and have made my life better)

Enjoy.

Family

• Call your parents more than you think.
• Communicate with your brothers and sisters more than you think.
• Communicate better with your partner :)

Health & Fitness

• A great night’s sleep can change everything.
• Drinking today costs tomorrow.
• Train hard. Rest hard. Stretch more.
• Stretching tools: Rumble Roller, Myofascial ball, Hamstrings Stretch
• Massage once a month. (Yes, you are worth it.)
• Long walks in nature. No phone.
• Eat real food. Shop around the edges of the supermarket, not the inner aisles.
• Less coffee and only use it with an intention.

Finance

• Don’t be afraid of money. I was for years. Don’t hold onto it too tightly. For it to grow, it needs to flow like water. Inflows and outflows. Money is energy.
• Scratch your own itch. If you can learn how to create, build, market and sell - you got it.
• Serve, don’t be served.

Fun

• If you’re bored, simply say yes to a lot more. If you’re tired, say no more.
• If you’re bored, find a challenge with a fixed deadline.
• The opposite of boredom is excitement.
• Set yourself a six-month challenge: “I want to become an expert at…” You can achieve far more in six months than you think.

Quotes I Reflect On The Most

• “Leave things better than you found them.” Mum
• “The more you practice, the luckier you get.” Dad
• “You will find out by doing, not by thinking.”
• “Don’t ignore the person to the left or right of you at a dinner table.”
• “Reps neglect luck.” Alex H
• “Confidence comes from saying I’ll do X and doing it”
• “Easy choices, hard life. Hard choices, easy life.” Jersey

Happiness

• Have things to look forward to with the people you love. Book things ahead. Anticipation is 90% of the joy.
• Long runs while looping one song.
• Journaling. Writing. Getting all your thoughts out onto paper.
• Therapy. In the last three years, I’ve done TRE therapy and CBT therapy. Some of the best uses of my time and money.
• Wim Hof breathing. (The only app I pay for.)
• Any time away from your phone.
• Best productive tip? Put in time constraints. One thing at a time.
• Cold showers first thing.
• Writing while looping one song.
• Reading (with phone nowhere near in sight.)

Friends

• Invest in and look after the friends who value you.
• Develop and move into circles of people who inspire you.

Maybe That’s What Getting Older Is

I don’t think I have life particularly figured out at 37.

If anything, every year seems to reveal another room I didn’t know existed.

But I do know this:

Nothing great comes easy.

We live in a world obsessed with hacks, shortcuts and fast tracks.

Yet almost everything worthwhile is worth the hard work and journey.

Have a great week ahead.

Kia kaha & Love

Chris

P.s - If you enjoyed this Elixir - I can share all my favourite books, films, podcasts ect with you in the next one..