115 Comments

I just turned 40 a few days ago and would add - No one is thinking about you. They’re all thinking about themselves, so you might as well do what you want.

Expand full comment

Wow this is such a great idea and so true. Did it take you until 40 to realize this Brenna?

Expand full comment

Very good. Tell me, why does it take a freakin’ lifetime to learn this lesson?

Expand full comment

The best wisdom always does, doesn't it Colin?

Expand full comment

Oh I’m still working on it that’s for sure!

Expand full comment

Happy belated Birthday!

Expand full comment

Thanks!

Expand full comment

To add a twist...

No one's looking at you, they're all looking at their phones

Expand full comment

Sounds like the Spotlight Effect, thank you for the reminder Brenna!

Expand full comment

I pasted so many of these thoughts into my journal, along with Brenna M’s ‘no one is thinking about you.’ You make frequent appearances. Thanks for sharing your journey.

Expand full comment

Do you journal every day Susan?

Expand full comment

Happy Birthday! It is my birthday, too and I felt the need to do exactlyyyyyyy the same!

Expand full comment

Thanks Katrin. Why not write a version of this post for your birthday?

Expand full comment

Happy Birthday!

Expand full comment

Thank youuuu!

Expand full comment

Helps me to see enthusiasm is others. Thanks.

Expand full comment

Happy birthday Tim. It’s been inspiring seeing you grow as a writer and entrepreneur over the past 3 years that I’ve followed along.

Thanks for sharing so much actionable content, I know it’s helped me a ton as a writer and entrepreneur. Cheers

Expand full comment

Cheers Anthony. What's next for you?

Expand full comment

I loved the one about moving on from people who ghost you. Often, we do the opposite. We obsess over doubts about us having done something wrong or how we could have done things better to salvage things with the ghoster.

My experience also tells me that all of this is pointless. If someone has decided to ghost you, they know what they are doing. There's no point beating ourselves up.

Ghosting implies that they lack the courtesy to communicate things and let us down gently and we are better off without them.

Despite knowing all this, I still had my doubts. Thanks for dispelling them so forcefully.

Expand full comment

When was the last time you were ghosted? Did it hurt?

Expand full comment

It was when a girlfriend gave a vague excuse and started avoiding me. It took me a week to realise I had actually been dumped. It was the worst week of my life.

I didn't know if something was wrong, if I had done something wrong or if I should be doing something. A straightforward break-up would have been much easier to handle.

Expand full comment

"Think of the internet as a mirror. It shows you who you’ve become."

This is going on a sticky note on my screen and maybe I will make a sticker of it. I had no idea how much mindless consumption I have been doing and how lazy I have become.

Also number 1, I am terrified of writing online because I am an engineer and worry my writing will suck. But I am commiting to posting a short article on my substack for the next 30 days. Thank you for sharing your wisdom!

Expand full comment

We all suck at the start. Why worry?

Expand full comment

🎉🎂🥳 Happy “B” Day Tim!

May you celebrate well into the evening 😊

Thank you for sharing this list with us, they all hit home run.

Expand full comment

Thank you!

Expand full comment

Especially #11. Thanks.

Expand full comment

Happy birthday! Brilliant post as always. #6, 7, and 27 were especially poignant.

Expand full comment

Thanks Yuri!

Expand full comment

"The best type of millionaire is a time millionaire who has the hours to do whatever they want whenever they want." BANG ON. This is exactly the type of content I want to read when I pick up my phone. I wrote in my recent newsletter that my mantra in life is "Life is beautiful and I do have the time." We underestimate the value of time so much, and always end up prioritising money. That is where majority of the people go wrong in life. Thank you for these valuable insights Tim. I am saving this post and I know I will revisit it quite frequently in my life.

Expand full comment

What a great mantra! How did you think of it?

Expand full comment

First off... Happy twin birthday my kick ass writer friend. Love that we share the same special day. 🎂

Expand full comment

Thanks Kelly.

Expand full comment

Your welcome...and by the way, you rock! 🔥💯

Expand full comment

Happy birthday Tim! Blessings

Expand full comment

Thanks!

Expand full comment

Happy birthday Tim! Thanks for sharing your lust and for going through dome of the pain points deeper showing all of us what it can lead to.

Expand full comment

Thanks Gunnar for all your support.

Expand full comment

Happy birthday🎉 Thank you for This 🤗

Expand full comment

Much love

Expand full comment

Happy birthday! What are the top micro skills you mentioned you think everyone should get onto in order to elevate themselves?

Expand full comment

Thank you

Expand full comment

Happy birthday dear Tim. And thank you for gifting me with Substack. May you come to a thorough understanding of how valuable you are. And loved. Great list by the way.

Expand full comment

Thanks!

Expand full comment