I Thought I Was All About Investing in Life Experiences

Good morning!

I hope this finds you well.

Welcome to another edition of The Matt Viera Newsletter.

The newsletter with the goal to inspire you to invest in life experiences.

Thank you for your continued support.

I thought I was all about investing in life experiences.

Until I spent a day with my brother.

We don't see each other often despite living just ten miles apart.

And while we may not hang out often, our interests tend to overlap in uncanny ways.

For example, we both got into off-grid camping completely independently during the pandemic.

It wasn't until we chatted one day that we realized we shared this passion.

That conversation led to one of our rare adventures together, camping off-grid in the middle of nowhere.

But last weekend, as we were spending time together, he revealed the deeper experiences of life he's been investing in.

He casually dropped stories that made me question whether I lived as fully as I believed.

He told me about his recent travels to Mali, Mauritania, Eritrea, and Syria.

Not your typical tourist destinations.

And certainly not places most people think of when planning a vacation.

Oh, and did I mention he hopped a freight train and rode it across the Sahara Desert?

Twice.

He's pushing 60.

But he's more fit than most 30-year-olds.

He prioritizes his physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

He lives life intentionally and without fear.

The adventures he's had recently? They're just the prologue. He's already planning his next.

Spending time with my brother reminded me that there's always a next level when it comes to investing in life experiences.

No matter how far you've gone, there's someone out there (maybe even someone close to you) who's pushing the boundaries even further.

What's the point of all this?

The point of all this is to emphasize comfort is seductive.

You may believe you're doing enough until someone shows you what "more" really looks like.

Not for comparison. Not for competition. But for perspective.

That “more” may be your nudge if you've been craving something different (a new experience, a bold adventure, a deeper sense of aliveness).

We only get one shot at this life and postponing the things that make you feel alive in the name of "someday" is a gamble that rarely pays off.

Final Thought

You don't need to hop freight trains and cross the Sahara to feel alive.

But you do need to check in with yourself and ask:

Have I been playing it safe? 

Because playing it safe may keep you comfortable, but playing it safe won't make you feel alive.

Make room for something bold.

Pick up the phone and reconnect with someone who reminds you of the power of living fully.

And maybe the inspiration to kick your life up a notch is closer than you think.

Quote that caught my attention:

"If you think adventure is dangerous, try routine; it is lethal."

—Paulo Coelho

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