2026 Goals(?)
Updates
It’s now April 30th. So much has happened since my last blog post.
In my last post I said I’d list out my goals for this upcoming year, which I’ll get to but let’s do a quick recap.
Since that time, here are the main changes
Love Life
I have a girlfriend! Nicole! I don’t know exactly what the future will hold and we’re still in that stage where we’re building our lives around each other but I’m pretty happy.
Move
I moved to Koreatown! Moved away from my old Hollywood building. So far it’s been literally 4 days but I kinda love it. Having that outdoor balcony. Being close to so many things and restaurants and people. Being close to Nicole.
Youtube
I started a Youtube channel. Honestly as fun as it’s been, it’s become kind of a grind recently. With the move, I’ve been taking a break from posting videos and I kinda feel relieved.
Ever since I started posting videos I’ve thought more about the easy way and the hard way. That divergent path where you could take the path of integrity or the path of shortcuts (buy bot traffic, manipulate viewers with clickbait, manipulate viewers with controversy to drive comments to drive traffic).
I think the younger me would have categorically chosen the former, simultaneously judging those who do the latter. But I get it. Life isn’t easy. Of course most people would want to take the easy way out.
At the same time—as much as I can understand the motivation, I’m still wholly convinced that taking the easy way out makes the world a worse place over time.
But of course, the older I get, the more I recognize I can be on the inflexible side. So maybe this isn’t so black and white. But as I write this, I also wonder how to maintain your principles as the world changes so much…
This whole easy vs hard path, tragedy of the commons is tremendously more important than ever before. And at the same time, no one seems to care.
Work…
Still working at the same place. I’ve switched teams and managers more in the last year than I ever remember. The whole industry is upending anyways. Tbh there’s a feeling of meaninglessness. Ofc the money is good but purpose would be nice as well lol.
That age old debate of finances vs purpose. I’ve chosen finances every time that came up (while conveniently hedging my bets by generating my own purpose on the side). I’m starting to wonder if that’s sustainable.
The Good Stuff
I maintain my positive demeanor but I also contemplate a lot more. Which I don’t love. Lately I’ve been trying to remind myself to not try to control so much. So much will always be forever out of reach, forever out of your control. Do what you can and ENJOY your life!
I’ve also felt on many occasions so lucky that I have faith. This deep rooted, hard to explain feeling that at the end of the day I can rely on God, a higher power to lead me through life. Super bonus for sure…
Anyways, on the lighter side, here are some things that have brought me great happiness over the last few months
Nicole. I said before I don’t know exactly where things are headed. And it’s not like I walk around in a state of constant bliss, but there have been moments. I catch myself sometimes (often on long drives where my mind just wanders) feeling so lucky and happy to be with her. I think I hesitate to revel in this feeling because I’m risk averse and like to hedge my bets (what if we break up, wouldn’t I be such a fool to gush now) but that’s kind of a sad and ridiculous way to live life. In this moment and for past couple months I have felt at times incredibly happy largely due to her.
Friends! Holey moley, on multiple occasions I’ve caught myself and wondered with delight: “damn I have friends in LA now!” Coming to LA that was definitely a concern having to “start over” but it really didn’t have to be a concern. Two highlights—my housewarming and my housecooling. At my housewarming in my typical perfectionist fashion, I bought at ton from Costco and cooked custom pizzas for everyone that came. My housecooling was way chiller but also Nicole came through so there was a bit of nerves (everything went great though). One comment that made me happy in hindsight is when Frances was talking about her social life and how after a certain age it was harder to make friends. She said because of me hosting she was able to (semi) regularly connect with these people. That genuinely felt great. In retrospect, everyone gets along pretty well.
One gripe I have is compared to NYC, it definitely takes deliberation and planning to see my friends regularly. But I want to fix that / make greater efforts.
Youtube. Mixed bag due to the grindy aspects but for a while I was delighted. I hit 200 subscribers. Which is crazy when I step back and realize I got 200 random ass people to hit a button to watch more of my stuff.
Family. As hard and confusing as life can get at times, when I realize my family’s so close, it all kind of melts. Fuck man at times you feel so grateful. Now that I write all this out, I’m reminded once again of how good my life is (despite all the randomness and confusion of recent times).
What’s next
Immediately what’s next: I want to fill out my schedule. Being at home all day with nothing but work and my grindy Youtube has been tough lately.
Broader picture wise… I’m not sure. Which is odd because for my entire life I’ve been kind of sure of where I wanted to go. There was always some ongoing conquest.
I think part of my uncertainty is age. We’ve done this whole dance before. The trying, learning, attempting, failing, trying again. At times it feels so Groundhogs Day.
I also think AI changed so much. All these skills I invested in all of a sudden upended. Music—made by AI. Code—made by AI. The two things I probably spent the most time investing in.
I do think life is still fun. There’s still gotta be so much for me to explore. But the path ahead is kind of hazy.
A Big Question I still think about: do skills matter? Does being good at something matter when there’s a being that can do it so much better?
That question was a no brainer in the past. Of course they matter. Being good at things is what gives you value on the marketplace. And value is good.
Now I’m not so sure. Of course for the next few years, decades, whatever—humans can still bring something to the table. But one day we won’t.
Maybe that’s like worrying about the Sun being snuffed out. Some big grand issue that future humans will deal with. But it is a very interesting question.
I think a more practical answer is that your value will become more localized over time. Sure there may be an omnipotent being that can outclass anyone on the global level but your works will still matter to the people who know you.
As AI takes over on the global scale, maybe the best (only?) option we have for a bright future is to lean into meaning and relationships on a more communal level.
2026 Goals
Host something every quarter. With the intention of creating an actual friend group. I think the seeds are definitely there. My friends all kind of know each other now.
Stretch goal every month or every other month
The rest I’m spitballing. I might come back and revise them
Start my new album - Songs for the Lost
I’m going to table DANCE INC.
Or maybe I’ll release them under a pseudonym: Salaryman? Something unique.
Meditate 80% of the year
Tracking in Habitify
Perform on stage once a quarter. Already did my choir performance last quarter ;)
I mean as long as I do classes I should just get this down.
Stretch goal: join an improv team / audition for UCB house team
Learn guitar
I end up using a ton in my production so it’d be nice to know how to actually play
Log weight 80% of the year
Tracking in Habitify?
Idk man I’ve always had that goal of getting to 160 lbs but unless it’s top of mind idk if I’ll actually follow through. I do think weighing myself and seeing the number go up would probably encourage me to chill out a bit.
Volunteer once a quarter
Find something to purely have fun with. Probably musical improv but if there’s anything else go for it.
no numbers, no dick measuring, no politics, no pressure. just pure fun
Go on an extended trip with Nicole (ideally somewhere foreign)