I read (and write) a lot about being 20-something in 2012. Most of the time, it is to highlight the struggles we all seem to face day in and day out. Last night, I came across an article about why being a 20-something is awesome and I couldn’t help but agree with almost all of it.  As I sit and write this post from my living room in the West End of Vancouver overlooking beautiful English Bay, I can’t help but count my blessings. My apartment is a tangible blessing and something I work very hard to have. Obviously, living in the most expensive city in North America isn’t always easy and you have to make sacrifices, like selling your car - I miss you Raffi!  That being said, the intangible aspects of our lives are far greater than any tangible product we could own at 20-something.  I started reflecting on this idea a few days ago, right after I picked-up my sister Jaime (Hi Mimi!) from the airport. She was returning from a 10-day nursing trip in Haiti and her stories were nothing short of inspiring. Then, just a few days ago one of my best friends phoned to tell me she had been accepted into the RCMP pending one final physical. She has wanted this since we were 15 years old. Last night my sister Jody told me she was going to volunteer with Operation Smile, because she just has a heart that big and it is something she has wanted to do for years. Needless to say, I’m surrounded by some pretty inspiring people on a day-to-day basis whose intangibles are far greater than any tangible life product they could own. Most people in my life have this innate ability to  go balls to the wall after what they want and it is an incredible quality I admire and look to have in my own self. The intangible aspects of our lives are our goals coming true, our successes (and failures) flashing before our eyes, and building a story that one day we will get to share with a family of our own. Until then though, we’re on one helluva ride.   I have some big goals brewing (stay tuned for that post) but to leave you for the day, think about some of the reasons why being 20-something is awesome. Here are a few of my own.  This is the time to feel, both good and bad, and see as much as we can Take advantage of not being tied down to anything and anyone - just be free Go balls to the wall with everything that you do  Put in your time, work your ass off and go after what you want Be flexible and open to change You’re the boss of you own life, and this is the most rewarding career you could ever have Be comfortable being uncomfortable  It is inevitable, one day we will miss where we are today. So I encourage you to be where your feet are, because right here, right now,  they’re exactly where they’re supposed to be.  
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I read (and write) a lot about being 20-something in 2012. Most of the time, it is to highlight the struggles we all seem to face day in and day out. Last night, I came across an article about why being a 20-something is awesome and I couldn’t help but agree with almost all of it. 

As I sit and write this post from my living room in the West End of Vancouver overlooking beautiful English Bay, I can’t help but count my blessings. My apartment is a tangible blessing and something I work very hard to have. Obviously, living in the most expensive city in North America isn’t always easy and you have to make sacrifices, like selling your car - I miss you Raffi! 

That being said, the intangible aspects of our lives are far greater than any tangible product we could own at 20-something. 

I started reflecting on this idea a few days ago, right after I picked-up my sister Jaime (Hi Mimi!) from the airport. She was returning from a 10-day nursing trip in Haiti and her stories were nothing short of inspiring. Then, just a few days ago one of my best friends phoned to tell me she had been accepted into the RCMP pending one final physical. She has wanted this since we were 15 years old. Last night my sister Jody told me she was going to volunteer with Operation Smile, because she just has a heart that big and it is something she has wanted to do for years. Needless to say, I’m surrounded by some pretty inspiring people on a day-to-day basis whose intangibles are far greater than any tangible life product they could own. Most people in my life have this innate ability to  go balls to the wall after what they want and it is an incredible quality I admire and look to have in my own self. The intangible aspects of our lives are our goals coming true, our successes (and failures) flashing before our eyes, and building a story that one day we will get to share with a family of our own. Until then though, we’re on one helluva ride.  

I have some big goals brewing (stay tuned for that post) but to leave you for the day, think about some of the reasons why being 20-something is awesome. Here are a few of my own. 

  • This is the time to feel, both good and bad, and see as much as we can
  • Take advantage of not being tied down to anything and anyone - just be free
  • Go balls to the wall with everything that you do 
  • Put in your time, work your ass off and go after what you want
  • Be flexible and open to change
  • You’re the boss of you own life, and this is the most rewarding career you could ever have
  • Be comfortable being uncomfortable 

It is inevitable, one day we will miss where we are today. So I encourage you to be where your feet are, because right here, right now,  they’re exactly where they’re supposed to be.  

Taking a minute to appreciate my surroundings. #Vancouver (Taken with instagram)
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Taking a minute to appreciate my surroundings. #Vancouver (Taken with instagram)

I arrived at the gym today, reaching half my goal, when I suddenly wondered what the hell I was doing. Don’t get me wrong, I wanted to work out (badly), but today was absolutely beautiful in Vancouver. So, I decided to trade in the treadmill for the seawall. 

There’s this little thing that I’ve been struggling to find lately. It’s called balance. I believe in it, I just don’t believe one persons version of it is right for everyone. For me, it meant leaving my phone at home when I went to workout. It was taking a moment away from worrying about working up a sweat and sitting to soak it all in. It also meant that in between this moment and coming home to clean my apartment, I would also need to finish a report for work so I can watch the Superbowl tomorrow. Balance is key, but making each and every day count is even more important.

I don’t know where I will be tomorrow, but for the first time in a very long time, I’m not anxious about it. 

Saying goodbye to 2011

My sister told me that she missed me writing and truth be told, I kind of do too. As we prepare to say goodbye to 2011 (can you believe it!?) and welcome 2012, I can’t help but feel inspired to write a bit about this past year, to see what I can capture from pure memory as a way to remember this part of my life story, because nobody knows where it is going to go from here… 

2011, you were an interesting one, weren’t you! Let’s reflect a bit, shall we? 

  1. I got a job at lululemon at the end of 2010
  2. I finally moved into the West End in Vancouver with my roommate who quickly became one of my closest and dearest friends
  3. I cancelled my trip to Thailand scheduled for the end of January to pursue my goals at lululemon 
  4. We made it to Round 4, Game 7, of the 2011 NHL playoffs (oh, and Vancouver rioted)
  5. I spent my first summer in the West End. It was beautiful, fun, and slightly blurred because we drank, a lot 
  6. My passion for networking grew 
  7. Caitlyn and I went to Live at Squamish (GIRL TALK)
  8. I left lululemon for personal reasons at the end of September
  9. I started working at Village&Co in October, it was time for a new challenge
  10. We (Caitlyn, Jody, Rachel and I) travelled to Cancun in November. There are no words
  11. I learned A LOT about people, the “real world” and myself this year. I wouldn’t change it for anything

Now officially able to look back at 2011, I sit and inevitably start planning 2012. It is what I do, but setting goals for 2012 just feels different. I only wish I could find the words to explain why. Now I’m forced to forge ahead and take the goals that are forming in my mind and write them down, post them up and make sure that someone holds me accountable to them. You have no idea how big I’m planning 2012 to be.

Get ready, I’m excited. 

Everybody has their struggles. As somebody who has struggled with both anxiety and depression, this issue is very near and dear to my heart. 

If you have any thought of depression, talk about it. It is nothing to be ashamed of. 

Lots of love. 

#37Ryp

(via van-canucks)

Source: mattiasohlund

it all begins again, tonight

June 15th is a day many of us would like to forget, some would say not enough time has yet passed to allow that gut-wrenching feeling to subside. Alas, the time has come for us to let it go and move on. Tonight marks a fresh start, a new beginning, and another long and successful season for our boys. The Canucks open the 2011.2012 season tonight against the Pittsburgh Penguins on home ice. Where will this season take us?

I love hockey and I love this team.Welcome back boys, we still believe.

As a Canucks fan, I really, really don’t know how to feel about this photo. #WishItWasBieksa
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As a Canucks fan, I really, really don’t know how to feel about this photo. #WishItWasBieksa

you’ll know, trust me

Networking can be intimidating, especially when you are in a room filled with people you respect and sincerely want to get to know more. Weird, I know.  I’ve been fortunate enough to realize and understand the power of networking early on in my career, last night solidified my passion for both my industry and my chosen career path.

There is no doubt in my mind that sports and social media are what I want to be doing. Last night, I attended the YVRSportsBiz tweetup and was able to chat with old friends and meet new ones, some of which I had been waiting months to connect with.

Trust me when I say, you will know whole-heartedly when you have found what you love to do. Connect early with your network, actively participate in conversation, and never ever lose sight of your goals.

These sunsets never get old. I LOVE this city so much. #Vancouver (Taken with instagram)
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These sunsets never get old. I LOVE this city so much. #Vancouver (Taken with instagram)