Two years ago today I was maybe hours away from fatal sepsis. I got a second birthday instead. This is the full story - including the seven months of denial and what Bonus Time actually looks like
Thank you for sharing this story, Filip! I'm glad to be here and to connect with you.
Everything you've written acts as a reminder and it comes at the right time. With so much pessimism floating around about how we're all going to be finished in the next two years because AI is going to eat us alive, this post is a good reminder to live in the moment and appreciate our time here.
Wow! What a story. Thank you for sharing this, Filip.
I started reading out of curiosity to get to know you more. But it left me with a few unexpected reminders.
I do not have a "second birthday", but I love the idea of having a meaningful monthly day to pause and reflect. The usual end-of-the-month review feels too mechanical for me. I think I'll make my actual birthday that day from now on.
I remember living in a luxury apartment in Barcelona a few years ago and having that "looking at people from a 3rd story window" experience. The same thought - why are they in such a rush? People were not noticing each other. Actually, too busy to notice anything. AND what hit me most at that time - no one ever looked up. I could be hanging out of that window butt naked, and nobody would notice me! Crazy!
At that time, I thought that I wanted to slow down, look up, and notice things. Just BE more. I had forgotten about that. Inertia took over. I'll do better starting now.
There's more. But I do not want to hijack your post. Just thank you for sharing your story. And glad you are here to tell it!
Thank you for sharing your story, Filip. You let us feel your journey.
I relate to the quiet transformation that comes after. People don’t usually mention that, so I appreciate you pointing it out. I had surgery 13 years ago that left me in limbo and made me realise how fragile life is. Before that, I moved through life assuming I had all the time in the world.
Since then, I've learned to see life differently, to be grateful for my experiences and connections, and to be more intentional about where I put my energy.
I love the idea of using the 23rd as a pause. It feels simple and meaningful.
@Alexandra Mateus loving how you contributed with similar experience. I hope our stories bring awareness to others about “fragility of life” without them having to go through such experiences.
In other comment @Adam Urbanski mentioned how end of month reviews “feel mechanical” but there’s something different about the remembering on 23rd (even though both are technically similar) - looks like this more gentle approach resonates with people.
Absolutely, Filip. If sharing our experiences helps even one person pause and reflect without needing a situation to prompt it, that's meaningful work 🙏
And yes, Adam nailed something there; the 23rd doesn't feel mechanical because it's personal to you. It's anchored in something real and lived. That gives it weight and warmth that a standard review doesn't have.
I think that's why it resonates. Grateful to be learning alongside you through these reflections.
Reading your comment I just had a big breakthrough about something I’m doing in business.
Part about “personal to you”. - I think this could solve a big challenge, and I’ll make sure to follow up and reveal what I’m babbling about soon A. Thanks 🖖
My pleasure, and I'm glad that I decided to do it. Always kinda thought "who are you to share your struggles, there are so many people who have it much worse"...
Oh that’s a hard one to experience. I believe that when we give ourselves permission to acknowledge our own struggles and aches, we learn that there’s no need to suffer more or less than others in order to feel proud of facing our challenges and growing through them.
“The meaning of life is just to be alive. It is so plain and so obvious and so simple. And yet, everybody rushes around in a great panic as if it were necessary to achieve something beyond themselves.”
Thank you for sharing this story, Filip! I'm glad to be here and to connect with you.
Everything you've written acts as a reminder and it comes at the right time. With so much pessimism floating around about how we're all going to be finished in the next two years because AI is going to eat us alive, this post is a good reminder to live in the moment and appreciate our time here.
Really glad my words resonated Mugais because all of us need to keep reminding ourselves and others to slow down and breathe.
Wow! What a story. Thank you for sharing this, Filip.
I started reading out of curiosity to get to know you more. But it left me with a few unexpected reminders.
I do not have a "second birthday", but I love the idea of having a meaningful monthly day to pause and reflect. The usual end-of-the-month review feels too mechanical for me. I think I'll make my actual birthday that day from now on.
I remember living in a luxury apartment in Barcelona a few years ago and having that "looking at people from a 3rd story window" experience. The same thought - why are they in such a rush? People were not noticing each other. Actually, too busy to notice anything. AND what hit me most at that time - no one ever looked up. I could be hanging out of that window butt naked, and nobody would notice me! Crazy!
At that time, I thought that I wanted to slow down, look up, and notice things. Just BE more. I had forgotten about that. Inertia took over. I'll do better starting now.
There's more. But I do not want to hijack your post. Just thank you for sharing your story. And glad you are here to tell it!
@Adam Urbanski looks like there is a full substack letter that obviously wants to come out, just saying :)
And yes, I could never do the mechanical EOM reviews the same as I do my 23rd reflection.
Thanks a lot for sharing my letter with your people.
Thank you for sharing your story, Filip. You let us feel your journey.
I relate to the quiet transformation that comes after. People don’t usually mention that, so I appreciate you pointing it out. I had surgery 13 years ago that left me in limbo and made me realise how fragile life is. Before that, I moved through life assuming I had all the time in the world.
Since then, I've learned to see life differently, to be grateful for my experiences and connections, and to be more intentional about where I put my energy.
I love the idea of using the 23rd as a pause. It feels simple and meaningful.
Happy second birthday! Sending you a cup of Sun☀️
@Alexandra Mateus loving how you contributed with similar experience. I hope our stories bring awareness to others about “fragility of life” without them having to go through such experiences.
In other comment @Adam Urbanski mentioned how end of month reviews “feel mechanical” but there’s something different about the remembering on 23rd (even though both are technically similar) - looks like this more gentle approach resonates with people.
Absolutely, Filip. If sharing our experiences helps even one person pause and reflect without needing a situation to prompt it, that's meaningful work 🙏
And yes, Adam nailed something there; the 23rd doesn't feel mechanical because it's personal to you. It's anchored in something real and lived. That gives it weight and warmth that a standard review doesn't have.
I think that's why it resonates. Grateful to be learning alongside you through these reflections.
Reading your comment I just had a big breakthrough about something I’m doing in business.
Part about “personal to you”. - I think this could solve a big challenge, and I’ll make sure to follow up and reveal what I’m babbling about soon A. Thanks 🖖
Now you have me genuinely curious, Filip 😄
A meaningful conversation can lead to breakthroughs, especially when sparked by reflecting on fragility and presence.
I'm glad "personal to you" proved useful. Excited to see what you share next, let me know or tag me once you put it out there!
Thank you for sharing your story, Filip. It’s a great reminder of how listening to ourselves can change our life’s story.
And what an honor to be one of the people who inspired you to write yours down.
Wishing you more of that slowness.
My pleasure, and I'm glad that I decided to do it. Always kinda thought "who are you to share your struggles, there are so many people who have it much worse"...
Oh that’s a hard one to experience. I believe that when we give ourselves permission to acknowledge our own struggles and aches, we learn that there’s no need to suffer more or less than others in order to feel proud of facing our challenges and growing through them.
Happy second birthday, my friend! 🙌 … this was such a great read! Sounds like you had an awakening of some sort :) mhm.
We forgot to cheers to life in person! Perfect excuse to do so next time :)
“The meaning of life is just to be alive. It is so plain and so obvious and so simple. And yet, everybody rushes around in a great panic as if it were necessary to achieve something beyond themselves.”
Alan Wilson Watts
Thank you bro, only love <3