27 things I learned at 27 and yet sometimes forget

Hey I'm Elena and I've been working at Surf Spirit as Head of Operations for some time now. I've been thinking for a long time whether I really wanted to write that down. Because I don't really think anyone is interested in what I'm writing here. But when I started planning my 27th birthday, I became a bit melancholy and started to reflect on the last few years and more things came together than I thought. Somehow that also feels wrong right now, because I don't live a lot of it every day, of course. Because I forget things, relapse, think things apart, doubt. But maybe that's just the point. Here are 27 things I've learned. Not as rules, more as reminders for myself.

1. Changes are easier than you think

If you want to change something, just take two hours for now. Go to a coffee shop, sit down and write down the steps it takes to make a difference. Quit, move to a new city, finally take that one trip. I still remember sitting in a cafe in Berlin-Schönberg, back then I had a 42-hour week in retail. I was so burnt out and thought that was it now? Am I working my way up from here now? That's the way you do it and that's also how I knew it from my environment. Quitting after only 3 years with a company? That certainly doesn't go well on a resume. All thoughts that I can only smile about now. But I knew I had to change something and if the new job doesn't work out, I can always go back again and again. I hung in and wrote applications that day, and a month later I had a new job. I was happy at first but then I didn't find the right fulfillment there either. So I had to do new things to see what really inspires me. That brings me to my next point:

2. Start late but start

I only started surfing two years ago. I've always liked water, but surfing? I've never come into contact with it. I came to Fuerteventura to surf in 2024. I had just left my life and job in Berlin behind and worked as a volunteer at a surf camp. The days consisted of surfing, cooking together, being on the beach and, of course, partying. It was one of the best times in my life.

3. Work on something you believe in

I never really “learned” my current job, I don't come from the tourism industry. I wanted to keep it "safe" and studied business administration and actually always wanted to do something with fashion. But it didn't feel authentic in the end, I always had this feeling that I didn't really fit in here and then my current job kind of found me. Back then, I had applied as a Guest Relations Manager for one of the partner teams in Sri Lanka. But due to my notice period of my old job, it didn't work for now. Then, as already written, I went to Fuerteventura a few months later. From there, my plan was maybe to go to Barcelona again to study something that really interests me. But I didn't know exactly how to do that. Then one afternoon Dana called me and asked me what I was doing right now. They're looking for someone new for the office. After an interview with Dana & Nils, it was clear wow that felt right and now I have a job that I look forward to every Sunday evening, where I can even bring back my passion for fashion (small teaser, dropping soon) and so much more. I know why I'm doing this and for what.

4. Priorities can change, you should always be the highest of them. Even though that means being selfish sometimes.

5. Everyone you meet is afraid of something, loves something and has lost something.

6. It's not that serious.

You're making a mistake, you're embarrassed by something. And then? In two weeks, no one will think about it anymore. Probably not even yourself.

7. Surround yourself with people from different generations and cultures.

I have friends who are 20 years old and friends who are 50. Traveling has shown me how much more there is outside of my bubble and how small many of my problems actually are.

8. If you act out of love and with honest intentions, you will always win.

I want to do things with intention and love and not simply because it has to be done and because it is expected of me. I think when you put love into everything, it's also easier for you to love yourself.

9. I need sun and am simply happier at places close to the ocean.

10. You haven't even met some of the most important people in your life yet.

How crazy is this though mh? I have already met so many great people in my life and am so grateful for the phases they have accompanied in my life. Or thankful, of course, for the people in my life right now. But there will certainly be just as many more great people coming and staying.

11. You are what you eat.

12. Kindness is always cool.

If you're nice, you always get on in life and I honestly don't understand why some people are so embittered, because here again: it's not that serious. In a business context, I was able to learn so much from Dana and Nils here. You get so much further when you are nice and understanding in all situations and towards everyone.

13. Don't be ashamed if you do the same mistake again.

If it feels right in the moment, it makes sense.

14. Travel alone.

15. Buy a digital camera or camcorder.

Since I've had my old camcorder, I've been experiencing moments more consciously. I'd rather watch these videos and memories than the 1000th cell phone photo.

16. Never stop learning new things.

If I can't do something and I want to learn, I look for online courses, YouTube videos or ask people from my environment. Maybe I'll discover a new passion in the process.

17. Buy this designer bag.

Of course, I don't want to encourage anyone to buy material things and experiences also make me so much happier than any handbag. But I've also learned for myself that things I've wanted for a long time and then buy carefully make me happy for a very, very long time. So it's more about conscious buying decisions and maybe I'm just justifying myself to myself haha.

18. Routines give me peace of mind and aren't boring, as I've thought for a long time.

19. Drink more water!

20. Creativity is everywhere and I can't do without it.

For a long time I thought I wasn't creative enough, there were so many talented people out there. I can draw a bit and sometimes have a nice content idea. But there are so many who are much better at it. That has depressed me so often. But why should I stop doing it then? And that brings me to the next point:

21. Comparing kills creativity.

22. Family is something very individual.

I love my family and I still know that I need my space. I'm not playing a role just to meet expectations.

23. Being honest with yourself is the beginning of freedom.

24. Listen to your body and start focusing on your cycle.

25. You should start again with things you loved to do as a child.

For example, I've finally started dancing again and that makes me so happy lately.

26. Write your future self.

Write emails to your future self. Gamechanger, when you think you're not really getting anywhere, I just read emails I wrote to myself years ago. There are various ways to do this. I'm using futureme.org.

27. Talk to yourself as you would talk to others.

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Isn't it crazy that you know all these things in theory and yet still have so many doubts over and over again. Then I always think to myself, why are we humans like this? But maybe that is exactly what drives us to continue and value things more.