The cold air bit my cheeks as I stood atop a rugged peak in Nepal, gazing out over a sea of mountains that stretched beyond the horizon. It was here, thousands of miles away from the glow of computer screens and the hum of office life, that a profound realization hit me: the only thing stopping me from living a fuller life was me.
“Just before I left, it occurred to me that I pursued my happiness in Nepal. And so should I do in life.”
In this article, I want to share how embracing hobbies like climbing, salsa dancing, and investing transformed my life as a software engineer — and how it can do the same for you.
The Wake-Up Call in Nepal
Before Nepal, my life revolved entirely around work. At my first startup, I was consumed by coding sprints, product launches, and endless meetings. Hobbies? They were nonexistent. I thought dedicating all my time to work was the path to success.
But during that spontaneous trip to Nepal, everything changed. I met Nicole, a fellow traveler and climber. One day, as we tackled a challenging ascent together, she effortlessly navigated the rock face while I struggled.
“Next time we climb together, I’ll be in shape and great at this,” I promised her, breathless but determined.
Diving into New Passions
Climbing: Reaching New Heights
Climbing became my new challenge, filling the void left by a lack of stimulation at my second startup. It wasn’t just about physical strength; it was about problem-solving, perseverance, and pushing beyond perceived limits.
I remember one climb in particular, it is the one in the photo. I was the first to ascend this climb. Both of my friends were afraid to, and so was I. But I did not let it get to my brain. I clipped the first bolt, and when trying to clip the second one, I fell. My finger was stuck in a hole and I almost lost it. I started bleeding, now I thought it was the time to go down and give up. Instead I bandaged my finger and continued climbing. I set my eyes on the top and when I reached it, it was much more satisfying.
This climb taught me a lot about the small steps of reaching your goal. It taught me that sometimes you fall, you get injured and the world “signals” you to stop. It is important to remember why we are doing it and continue fight for ourselves.
Salsa Dancing: Finding Rhythm in Life
Movies like In The Heights had always fascinated me — the energy, the movement, the expression. When I moved to a city boasting one of the largest salsa clubs in the country, I decided it was time to step onto the dance floor.
“I always wanted to learn,” I told myself. “Why not now?”
Dancing opened up a new world of creativity and connection. It taught me to lead and follow, to listen and express — all skills surprisingly transferable to my professional life.
Embracing Continuous Growth
From paragliding to Running, I dove headfirst into new experiences. My philosophy became clear: we should always strive to better ourselves and our lives. Hobbies aren’t just pastimes; they’re pathways to personal development.
Journey Through the Tech World
I started programming young, tinkering with Minecraft servers and plugins. That curiosity led me to a technological unit in the Air Force and eventually to becoming the third developer at a small startup, where I spent nearly four years.
At the first startup, I dabbled in management, but it was at the second one where I truly stepped into leadership, learning invaluable lessons along the way. Now, as my journey continues into the unknown, I am still growing every day.
Crafting a Balanced Daily Routine
My alarm goes off at 5 AM. The world is quiet. I resist the urge to check my phone. Instead, I dive into coding personal projects or immerse myself in a good book until around 7 AM. This sacred time is mine.
After breakfast, I open my work laptop and begin the day’s tasks. By evening, I’m free to choose: maybe it’s a salsa class, a climbing session, or a cozy night in with my girlfriend.
“Balance isn’t about doing everything equally; it’s about allocating time in alignment with your ambitions.”
Mastering Time Management
My calendar is my sanctuary. Everything goes in there — from meetings to hobbies to downtime. I’ve even encouraged friends and colleagues to send me calendar invites to respect and acknowledge commitments.
When I see something scheduled, I honor it. If I ever feel resistance, I pause and reflect:
- Why did I add this to my calendar?
- Is this activity still aligning with my goals?
If necessary, I reschedule, but I rarely cancel.
Overcoming Challenges in Balance
Balancing isn’t easy, especially when ambition runs high. I constantly strive to be the best at what I do, which demands time and energy.
When I joined the salsa group, I wanted to excel. That meant dedicating more time to dance and less to climbing.
“Balance is not about equal time distribution but about prioritizing according to your current ambitions.”
It’s crucial to recognize that sometimes, pursuing one passion might require scaling back on another — and that’s okay.
The Impact of Hobbies on Life and Career
Engaging in diverse activities keeps burnout at bay. My hobbies:
- Teach Life Lessons: Climbing taught me resilience; salsa dancing enhanced my communication skills.
- Boost Creativity: Stepping away from screens opens up space for innovative thinking.
- Provide Joy and Fulfillment: They simply make me happy, and that positivity permeates all areas of my life.
Embracing a Growth Mindset
Reading a book on making $100k in a month might sound like a scam, but it introduced me to powerful concepts in sales and self-belief. It reinforced my mantra:
“Do what you love, money will come.”
This philosophy gave me the confidence to pursue my passions without fear of financial instability.
Celebrating Small Victories
I believe in the power of acknowledging small achievements. Whether it’s nailing a tricky dance move or solving a complex coding problem, I take the time to celebrate.
Why? Because big goals are achieved through many small steps. Recognizing these steps fuels motivation and brings joy to the journey.
Advice for Aspiring Balancers
- Start Small and Be Patient: Big changes don’t happen overnight. Wake up 15 minutes earlier each week if 5 AM seems daunting.
- Habit Formation Takes Time: Embedding new habits requires consistency and patience.
- Self-Comparison Over Social Comparison: Measure progress against your past self, not others.
“Remember, the only person you should compare yourself to is who you were yesterday.”
Looking Ahead: Future Ambitions
The journey never ends. My plans include:
- Pursuing a Physics Degree: Satisfying my curiosity about how the universe works.
- Launching an Exciting Side Project: I’m working on something innovative — stay tuned!
- Global Adventures: Exploring more of the world, and maybe someday, beyond it.
“Many ambitions, so little time — but that’s the thrill of it.”
Conclusion
Balancing work, hobbies, and life is a dynamic process. It’s not always perfect, but it’s profoundly rewarding. By stepping out of my comfort zone and embracing new passions, I’ve enriched my life in ways I never thought possible.
I hope my journey inspires you to break down the barriers holding you back. After all, the only thing stopping you from living a fuller life might just be you.