Hi, I am Jacob and I am in my twenties.

When I was 12 I got myself interested in various self-development topics.

I read all the articles possible all over the internet and watched all the videos.

Everything about confidence, how not to be afraid, how to make friends etc.

Then I transitioned into the fitness industry and it goes for 7 years already.

Helping out some of my friends and family members, gave me a new perspective.

Alongside I thought I would become the best web designer in the world.

I devoted every hour of my day to learning something new in this industry.

Creating designs and learning new programs or tricks I can use.

Even went to IT high school… just to try if I can. And I can.

But it is not for me. At least I am taking that risk.

I want to leave my comfort zone and try something I always wanted.

I watched a myriad of people on YouTube creating videos and living their best lives.

But just it isn’t my motivation.

My motivation is to get out there in the world and be myself.

I always strangled myself by being scared of what other people would think about me.

No more? I don’t know. Sometimes I have these thoughts still, but not that much.

With every step it gets easier, but right now I know it is all in my head.

For 2 years I have been creating content on social media, more or less on the schedule.

The last months were full of experiences I never would thought myself to accomplish:

Traveling for the first time to England with my friend,

Working in foreign countries for a month,

Creating dozens of spoken content pieces on social media,

Sharing a few hours of episodes on my podcast,

Finishing high school with great scores,

Anyway deciding not to go to college,

Applying for an overseas program and

Then I moved out to the United States for 3 months to work at the summer camp.

Living my best life and having a much different perspective on things I can accomplish.

A few months ago I wouldn’t believe that I would run through Central Park.

I would find friends on the other side of the world and do a road trip to Niagara Falls.

Almost losing my life on a road, because of a semi-truck. Long story.

It was living a dream. Still feels like one. For the first time.

To be honest. If I had my bucket list before, that year I would check out many of the boxes. I am

happy. I am totally happy with the things I achieved and pushed myself to, but still not satisfied.

I want to do more.

I want to share value and energy.

I want to give my smile to others.

For those of you who know me personally or from social media you may know that there’s a lot of not addressed energy in me and smile I would like to share with people.

Working at the summer camp showed me what I want in life.

I want to do things that I love and bring a smile to people.

The only way I can do it is by doing things that are were for long out of my comfort zone.

Creating content, making new friends around the globe, being genuine in my work with others,

It’s not an easy job. But sounds simple. Few things to work on. But it takes a hell of a time to master

them.

That’s why I want to embark on this journey and encourage you to do the same.

We are just humans.

If you spell it that way… I don’t care. I speak doesn’t English myself. Jokes aside.

About this new language content creation, there will be another journal entry or a letter. Not sure how I will call these yet.

Okay, don’t want to prolong it.

And my no-coffee energy reserve is depleting shortly.

Finishing right now the Avengers: Infinity War. Don’t judge me.

I am just a ki… I have my needs. I am just like you.

I am not saying that this is a mistake that I am making myself.

I am not focusing on a job one hundred percent, but it shows that I am not perfect.

Maybe next time I will do differently looking at it from a time perspective. Who knows. It’s a life journey.

Seriously. I just compared not watching a Marvel movie to being a life journey quest… listen to me.

Life is made of things like these. Let’s not make it boring. So let’s go.

Few things you might not know about me

#1 I am not always that positive. But I try to be.

Everything gets hard at some point.

But I agree that it is always our choice how we react to things.

More or less a conscious decision.

I met many beautiful people in my life. Speaking about the “soul” that every one of us has.

They went sometimes through a lot, but anyway, they decided to bring positivity to other lives.

I don’t want to be that guy who has butterflies on his shoulder like in the movies.

But sounds so… vibey. <3

I mean. I just want to bring that smile and energy to everything I do, because I know how the world around me reacts and what’s important - how I react.

The more you give in this case, the more you can receive.

I can see more and more positive people surround me because of it.

I feel like I can make a change with this attitude.

I may not always be a 120% top-notch positive person in the room.

But when purpose hits me, no one or nothing will break me, because I know the power of positivity.

#2 I feel better alone. At least I thought so.

People scared me.

I was afraid not only of asking for my needs but even of making the smallest contact.

At least my mind was blocking me plenty.

I wasn’t able to call a pizza guy to deliver me some of my favorite dough.

Or at the school discos, I didn’t feel like being the soul of a party.

I am not blaming myself. I was just a kid.

Since then I made myself a promise that every time I feel resistance.

Even a little bit.

Either in my head or in the outside world.

I need to act.

That’s why I started going to the gym.

To speak about my needs for the first time and buy a membership card - not to get in shape.

Right now I find so much joy in making conversations with people

Doesn’t matter if it’s at the train station, at a hotel reception, gym, doctor’s hallway, or at the coffee shop.

Life is too beautiful to let all these wonderful people slip.

I am saying. You never know. And I am going to tell you.

Exactly from these little things, I got the best friends that I know.

The moments that I felt resistance in my head, but I acted upon it.

It is better with others. However, I enjoy time with myself more than anything… :D

#3 I have social batteries. Period.

I just told you that I love people.

But I love time with myself as well.

Man, you can be the soul of a party as long as you can.

That’s why I got to understand myself and other people

We all have batteries to recharge in different ways.

It can be by food, sleep, talk, silence, crazy dances… different ways. :D

#4 I am working out longer than I look like…

When I was 13 I started working out with my friend.

You know these 30 days apps, doing push-ups or whatever.

As well as waking up at 4:30 in the morning to do some rows on a machine.

I was crazy. I admit that.

I read everything possible on proper strength training, bodybuilding, powerlifting…

All that stuff that seems like some random stuff makes sense to me.

Even spent some time reading academic research, but it’s not about it.

I love working out so much.

It allows me to be myself and look… decent.

It gives me all the energy and confidence in life. I recommend.

#5 I once hated everything about myself.

Here it comes.

The shortest guy in the class, big forehead, skinny, slow… whatever.

I heard everything. Did it hurt? Yes.

Right now neither of these things bother no more because I got older and changed a lot.

But I think so much that no kid should ever listen to anything like this.

It can make you stronger, but it can shape the way you see people and yourself.

It’s so hard to get out of the idea that you are the worst in everything.

Because of all these comments I was looking at myself differently for many years.

Trying to shape myself wherever I could.

Going to the gym, reading books, getting into self-development.

I am happy that it all shaped me into the person I am right now.

Anyway. It hurt and left its scar. I just want you to know that time and discipline can change a lot.

Don’t do anything for others. This would be a mistake on your side. Do it for yourself.

Work on who you are and who you want to become.

Be ambitious, but don’t hate yourself, just because you are starting the journey.

#6 I like food. But I hate eating.

I was always the skinny boy.

I am still not the biggest guy in the room, but I think I made some progress.

I had my times when I could eat meals that the whole family would have for a day.

But mostly I just forget about eating.

When I work on projects that I enjoy the food is last I think about.

I know I need it so much.

I work on it every day. Even now more than ever. But still. I love it.

Last time in China Town me and my friends ate some Chinese food.

Mamma Mia!

#7 I am the person to dance at the train station if I see you.

I love making people smile.

And be a bit of goofy once in a while.

It just gives all these fun vibes I look forward to in people.

Not sure why. It’s so intrinsic. It feels so natural.

I don’t want to push myself or anyone that I know into a cage called “what other people say”

Just it. Let’s dance. Let’s make this world happier. A bit by bit.

#8 Human mind… interests me :3

Oh. That’s what I like to speak about.

I think that I know more about it than I give myself credit.

All these emotions that we feel, need, what seems painful, and what is a pleasure.

Dopamine, focus, cognitive functions, hormones, creativity…

Totally anything that makes us human. It is so interesting.

I love listening to podcasts about this.

Here comes a recommendation for greatly done (Huberman Lab)https://open.spotify.com/show/79CkJF3UJTHFV8Dse3Oy0P?si=4c000082b84d46aa

There is always a place for improvement. That’s what I like. We can always progress.

#9 I watched all the movies in the world.

I had so much time to do nothing.

I am serious. After finishing school I didn’t spend so much time learning new stuff.

At least the things in school were boring to me. I was getting great grades studying a bit, but I didn’t like it.

Aside from books, watching YouTube, or playing games I was watching movies.

Starting from all the LOTR, Harry Potter, Hunger Games, and lately Star Wars

But mostly all the old stuff like 12 Angry Man, Titanic, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest

These are just a few.

I was watching different and different movies all days

Now every time there is something great coming out in the cinemas I watch it right away

Of course when I have time to. I love good plots and getting in-depth with new stories.

But life is precious itself. So I stick to it now :D

#10 Poetry made its way into my life.

I know that this letter is long, but…

Here is a piece I wrote myself a week ago.

It’s called…

A man

10/04/2023

“I was born to be alive,

Not to strangle me till I…

To see what this place has to offer

Experience feelings like no other

Not picking what I want

But having it as a whole

Being sad, happy, traumatized

It makes me feel that I am alive

No matter what happens

I am still there, seeking for something

No one has

Holding that burden of being alive

But at least I experienced most of it before I…”

I am not saying that I am the best! I nothing like it, I like it when others do it :D

What I mean. I love poetry. I didn’t spend a lot of time with it.

But all the moments together I find myself more and more in love.

I just get to know more about my feelings and the way I see the world around me and within myself.

It’s beautiful.

Here are a few recommendations from Instagram:

@elleneverettpoetry, @diaryofaromantica, and me ofc

#11 I have a playlist for every mood I am in.

I mean I like music and the way it makes me feel at the moment.

Period.

I have so many recommendations, but it’s not a place for…

NF - so meaningful stuff that gives me not only motivation but makes me understand myself a bit more

Alec Benjamin - indie folk-pop whatever that means :D love the vibe and softness of his songs and they are so on point

There is also a good playlist that goes with me every day for good vibes: Good People (https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0MiCN3tYnFYXldOU4wdePM?si=4ff1a328ede944d8)

#12 I changed my school because I was bored

What I can do? There are some decisions in life you just need to make.

It was at that moment that I felt resistance.

I didn’t feel okay with the place I was so… just changed it.

Who could tell, I had a really good experience in the other school on the other hand, and met a few wonderful people without whom I wouldn’t have made it that far.

Life is always about decisions and change. At least I think this way.

It’s sometimes better to decide than withstand the whole life and wonder what if.

#13 I treat life as a simulation… but only sometimes.

Have you seen Matrix?

This movie is about a guy who misses bullets dancing at the same time.

The one with two pills: red which will unravel the challenging truth about life and reality.

The blue one allows the main character to stay in the wonderland.

I think this choice resembles many of which we have to make during our lifetime.

Either we allow ourselves to see the truth about surrounding life or just live.

In that comfort zone that we create for us.

The matter here is about life after the red pill.

Do we have this free will? Can we make decisions on our own?

Sometimes I push myself to do random stuff like talking with a stranger etc.

Or to some greater extent checking out something.

Just to confirm with I do anything more

I wake up the next day and think, was it a reality yesterday or just a well-synced-up dream?

Who knows?

I am saying if so, why should we care that much?

It’s not about being a villain in life.

But to try things that we never tried before in a positive sense, to become better people.

Apply for that job you envy, talk with these people, eat that food, go to the gym, and become

healthier.

There are so many choices, but who knows - maybe tomorrow doesn’t exist.

As well as yesterday, we are just here in the moment trying to experience life in these bodies.

Nothing has meaning, but at the same everything has.

It so freeing. The idea that people around are NPC (more or less evolved) is great too.

But me seriously conscious of your decisions.

Not to hurt anyone, but to bring some crazy value to this world. That’s my message. Be bold.

#14 I am not a believer myself. But I believe in fate.

I don’t find this to be a space to speak about anything or anyone significant people believe in.

Is there someone who holds a hand over what we do?

Is there someone making all these decisions for us and taking care of us?

I don’t know.

I don’t need to know to do what I have to do.

I am seriously not sure if this is for luck that I am here where I am.

Living my dreams and doing what I want

Having all the struggles but now the perception that everything shapes me.

And everything lasts for exactly as long as it is supposed to be.

I find myself lucky to be confronted with an opportunity when we have enough skill to deal with it.

But anyway, many things in life happen and the circumstances are just… unreal.

I am not talking about meeting your life heroes from around the globe in your hometown.

I am telling you about moments when you push yourself out there and it works out.

The same things are here. Be bold and grab what you think you deserve through self-work and actual working time.

That’s how life happens. For a reason.

#15 I am organized at everything, even if it doesn’t look like it.

I am an airport daddy when it comes to traveling.

I have lists of what to do during the day, week, and month.

I studied all of the social interactions online… and in real life too :D

But when it comes to real life. Anything. I just work on the spot.

I get myself prepared, but not as much as other people.

And it may seem this way because I am everywhere all at once.

It seems like I am distracted. But I am not. I have everything under control.

Thought this whole point was going to sound different when I wrote about it…

But actually in reality you just feel it in your life, that’s it… so random. porque

#16 I play guitar, but I can’t play guitar.

I love playing guitar.

I mean I love listening to a good guitar but as well to smash the string from time to time.

I wish I taught myself properly how to read notes or play, but… knowing the basics is okay.

I have a guitar in my room. I can play some easy melodies on my acoustic guitar.

But I am not the guy who will play by the campfire, yet.

It looks nice in my room for now. There will be time to learn it. I know it :D

#17 I was video game addicted and I stopped for a year

Okay, and here we go.

No more going around things that don’t matter or don’t define me.

This thing destroyed and built my life at the same time.

I was playing a lot.

When I mean a lot I mean… 8? 12? Even the whole days when I was at the ages of 10-15.

Things change. But playing video games is an addiction like no other.

I loved playing League of Legends mastering a few characters, Counter-Strike, Witcher, some random Playstation games, and Minecraft. I couldn’t leave my computer alone.

Always seeking a way to upgrade my character and gain a little bit more experience.

It was a pleasure. Looking at the screen and doing nothing except it.

Did I learn anything from it? Few things to be honest.

If you find pleasure in something, like the purpose of becoming the best player, you will spend a great amount of time doing it.

If you make the process enjoyable, the goal won’t matter but in the end, you will be going closer and closer toward the thing you want to achieve.

If you do it with people, better things you can create together. But only when you can rely on them… not these flickers who put some TNT traps under your Minecraft house or steal your resources and you won’t see them ever again.

Games resemble life in many ways. There will be a letter about it for sure.

But I didn’t do anything except it. No playing soccer with friends on a local soccer field.

No reading books to the extent that I wished.

But thankfully I learned my lessons and everything comes to a healthy end.

There was a time that I stopped playing games for a year (I think it was a year… I am telling myself at least it was that long).

I made myself a promise that I wouldn’t use my computer for almost anything.

No YouTube videos, no games, no random things like memes. Nothing.

After I finished 6th grade (13 years old) I cut it off and started working out.

Paid off a bit. And going till now with some breaks to play games as well.

This time I was playing games for many hours when I got to have something good in front of me.

But don’t find that much joy anymore that’s why I can go months without playing.

Anyway. It was a good journey together. Taught me through my whole life.

#18 I don’t make plans. I execute them.

Here is the thing.

I can plan for hours.

I do it anyway every day (mostly) and then I look at things that I have to do and do them.

But.

I have the other side of this productive side. I can plan. But I don’t execute.

That’s why I had to switch a little bit.

Do you know the rule of 5 seconds or 2 minutes?

If something takes that much time, you just do it right away.

That’s why I love doing stuff and not just planning it.

I need to see the results. Even no results from a thing that I did is a result.

I still plan, but I don’t make large plans. I execute what comes to my mind knowing it will give me results. At least I will know where I stand. It’s a much easier way to get things done.

Make plans. But execute them as a priority.

#19 I love talking. About anything… but not so much :D

I mentioned that I have social batteries as anyone else. They are large but still there.

But I didn’t mention that I love talking. About totally anything… but I need to love it.

It gives me energy when I get a chance to speak.

To give a presentation or anything of that sort, but…

When the other person talks for a long time and I can’t… my mind gets frustrated.

That’s why I love conversations when I am in the mood and I can talk.

In other circumstances, I feel destroyed by even a word thrown at me.

But still, my mind and body somehow react to this like I am a master of small talk.

No clue how but it’s trained well. I can sleep inside. But good things happen outside.

Fun thing. Talk to me. But let me talk too. That’s a thing.

#20 I have no idea what to write more… let’s finish it.

And here it all gets wrapped up.

I am not here to brag about myself or tell you what my life is going to look like.

It’s not about me here.

It’s all about you and I am just a tool that can help you.

To summarize my whole purpose why I am doing all of the things in my life.

It is to make life easier by letting you know how not to make the same mistakes that I made.

I may not be the epitome of perfection.

I am just a simple man trying his best.

And I want to overcome faster this difficulty I had to struggle with in my life because I know it’s painful. To deal with them. But it’s possible to win this battle.

Last words for now

Good luck and thank you.

If you sign yourself up for this weekly scheduled letter newsletter you will gain:

• boost in confidence and knowledge of self
• ideas on how to get yourself out of a rut without much effort
• motivation but discipline to work out on yourself
• purpose. at least we will strive together to aim at one

Will I be able to deliver all of these and more? I don’t know.

But nothing is certain, excluding death and people who will complain. There are always some.

I just wish you to take each of these with a grain of salt even though I will try my best.

Get yourself a new perspective, be open to new ideas, and be a judge of every word you read here.

It’s your life. Not mine. I don’t have and don’t want to have control of what you do.

I just want to you know that there is someone who experienced some of it you battle with.

Let’s create a community. Let’s be a tribe. Like in the old times, people who are stronger together and know that they can rely on each other.

Let’s make it an experience for life and through these letters and other social media find other people who think like you and want to get better in life.

Because that is exactly what every one of us wants.

Get better. Feel better. Be stronger. Be okay with who they are. Have a purpose.

There’s not that many things.

It’s simple. But it’s not easy.

Keep that smile. It’s going to work out.

— Jakub Sznajder, but you can call me Jacob