The two things today: where I’ve been and where I am. 

My name is Andrew, I fell into restaurants in 2005, and that’s what I’ve been doing since. I thought I’d be a lawyer at one point, but the allure of serving was too strong. Easy, flexible shifts, low bar to entry and quick money. Makes sense. After I turned 21, I candidly and transparently abused my new found alcohol buying powers, and I stagnated for about half of a decade. 

It was true then, even though I would not have been able to articulate it, but there was always an underlying feeling that I was made for something better, and that I was wasting my life. Like something was wrong with the way things were going, but wrong in a way I couldn’t articulate.

I got very lucky, and managed to ‘wake up’ before too much damage happened. I had a few life lines, not consciously chosen, that helped me get out. My mission in life is to now find ways to help people in similar situations find steady ground, understand themselves more fully, and improve on their station in life. 

I got lucky through wine and the habit of questioning things, reading, and thinking. The self consuming drive never gets shut off. And it’s not pleasant, or, at least, it hasn’t been pleasant for most of my life. 

But I got lucky. I got recommended one book that changed my life. The miracle morning. I stuck to it, for no reason, but it had an effect. Not waking up early, there is nothing magical in that, any more than living in the same house and going to McDonalds every day will make you Warren Buffet. It did give me 2 key things though, the space to think and the habit of meditating. 

I kept doing it, good times and bad. When I was feeling inspired, when I was feeling shitty, I kept doing it. And now, three years later, I’m starting to see the fruits. The small, little changes that make all the difference. 

I’m trying to write down the things I wish I’d known when I was 20 and especially 21. It’s important to hear that you can care about learning, and being better. That you don’t have to be all up in your own head, you don’t have to be pretentious. You DON’T have to drink all the time. Just make small, steady, daily steps towards something better. Clean your room. Exercise the bare minimum. Keep an eye on friendships. Take care of yourself like you deserve. Treat yourself the way a good friend would treat you. What would tomorrow you want today you to do?

I am trying to figure out who I am, and whether or not I can be truly happy working in a restaurant. That question keeps coming back.