Thread by @SahilBloom

How to live a life of happiness.

The Surfer Mentality:

When a surfer gets up on a wave, they enjoy the moment, even though they know the wave will eventually end.

They fully enjoy THIS wave—knowing that there are always more waves coming.

It's a powerful mentality for riding the waves of life.

The surfer knows that they don't have to ride every single wave that comes their way.

They alone have the freedom and the power to choose which waves to take, and which waves to let pass by.

Sometimes there are going to be long, painful periods between the waves.

Sometimes so long that you may start to wonder whether there will ever be a good wave again.

But if you are patient—and position yourself appropriately—you'll be ready when the next wave inevitably comes.

So as you approach the days ahead, think about adopting the Surfer Mentality:

Enjoy every ride while it lasts!

Follow me @SahilBloom for more interesting ideas. I'm writing a deeper dive on the Surfer Mentality in my newsletter. Join 200K+ others here. getrevue.co/profile/sahilb…

I first came across the Surfer Mentality in a short video from my friend @GuillaumeMbh last year, but began to think more about it after re-reading Barbarian Days: A Surfing Life.

It is a wonderful, meditative book. Highly recommend audiobook as well. amazon.com/Barbarian-Days…

The Surfer Mentality is also a subtle reminder that the only way to live is by putting yourself out there.

You can’t catch any waves sitting on the shore.

You have to get out there.

Is there a risk? Sure.

But the rewards are so, so beautiful.

I believe the Surfer Mentality can also apply to dealing with grief:

I’ve often heard the grieving process described as a series of waves.

You have to allow yourself to accept and feel the waves rather than trying to fight them.

It slowly gets better.

Another application of the Surfer Mentality I’ve been thinking about: Stress and Anxiety.

Stress and anxiety are a constant in life, but you can choose to let them float under you and pass by.

Don’t feel the need to ride those waves.

The Surfer Mentality is also about the knowledge that 90% of the time you won’t be riding any wave.

You’ll be paddling and waiting.

But when the right wave does come, you need to be positioned appropriately and ready to catch it.

The Surfer Mentality is also about rolling with the blows that life inevitably deals you.

Every now and then, you will get crushed by a wave—the next wave may crash down on top of you.

What matters is how you respond.

You can always get back on the board.