10 Things I Can’t Live Without

The Five-Minute Journal

I have been using the Five-Minute Journal most days for over 6 years. It is incredibly powerful and yet so easy to use. The journal prompts you for the following:

• What are you grateful for
• What would make today great
• A mission statement. IE “ I am …. “
• Three great things that happened today
• What could make today better

With its speed and simplicity, I get great value every day, setting an intention, expressing gratitude, and recording what could have been better.

Oura Ring

I spent a solid decade of my life trying to cheat sleep and telling myself that I am fine with 5-6 hours of sleep a night. I was wrong. After falling asleep while driving to work 3 days in a row and barely missing a severe crash, I knew it was time to change.

I reasoned if I couldn’t get as long of sleep as I needed, I could at least make it as restful and restorative as possible. With the Oura ring, I can track, gamify, and learn what helps my sleep. All of this leads to me getting a better night’s sleep.

Garmin Vivoactive 4

I have gone through many different watches, and you could even say I am slightly obsessed.

The Garmin Vivoactive family has been the perfect solution for me as far as a smartwatch goes. It tracks steps and has built-in activities for everything you could imagine: running, biking, hiking, strength, yoga, paddle-boarding, swimming (yes, it is waterproof), and many more activities.

In addition, it has built-in storage for music, so you can link your Spotify account and then pair your Bluetooth headphones and go for a run without needing your phone. And one of my favorite features is the alarm clock (I know this seems very simple), but the alarm vibrates and wakes me up gently without a loud alarm and waking up my wife.

There are so many features that make this watch awesome!

Yeti Water Bottle

Drinking from an elegant, durable water bottle that holds the perfect amount of water and is dishwasher safe is surprisingly satisfying. I have tried and used so many water bottles over the years, and this is by far my favorite. I have one in black, white, and blue.

One of my favorite parts is the Chug Cap so that you don’t end up wearing half the water. I use one of these water bottles every day.

I find the 26oz (750mL) is a perfect size.

Google Pixel A Buds

Having a good pair of Bluetooth headphones has been a game-changer in improving my life. I have tried a variety of wireless headphones, from inexpensive JBLs to these Googles.

For the price, the Google Pixel can’t be beaten. They are so comfy in my ear I will wear them for 6+ hours without any discomfort.

They pair quickly with my phone, they sound amazing, and the call quality is excellent. All of these mean that I grab and use them all the time. When I run errands, do woodworking, lift weights, run, bike, or fall asleep, they always stay comfortably in my ear. I listen to more audiobooks, more podcasts, and more music with these headphones.

Theragun

I got a Theragun almost 2 years ago, and I have no idea how I lived without it. This massage gun has been a game-changer in reducing my everyday pain.

Before I had the Theragun, I would foam roll, static stretch, dynamic stretch, and use a lacrosse ball to help keep my body supple and almost pain-free. While this all helped, some areas didn’t seem to release and were always tight. For example, my traps, lats, glutes, feet, pecs, and calves.

The Theragun, with its percussion massage impact, has been able to get into the tight spots that nothing else could. Not to mention it is a lifesaver for traveling. I use it before and after workouts, during and after long drives, and after a long writing session.

It is also a great way to share a massage with a partner.

Pilot Frixion Erasable Pens

I discovered these during University and have been using them ever since. Pens write so much nicer than pencils; however, sometimes words and spelling can be tricky. Enter erasable pens.

These are some of the best writing pens I have discovered, and being erasable removes a lot of the stress in writing things down.

Pro-tip: these are amazing for writing cards because you can easily fix your grammar and spelling mistakes, so you don’t embarrass yourself as often.

Breville Barista Express

I have loved espresso for the entirety of my coffee-drinking life. The complex flavors and the precision required to get every drop of goodness out of a bean is very attractive to me and my engineering brain.

I bought the Barista Express in 2016. I have used it 1-3 times a day, every day since, without a single problem. It has a built-in grinder, hot water spout, and a steam wand, meaning you can make everything from shots of espresso to americanos to lattes. Hands down, this is the best entry-level espresso machine you can get.

Miyabi Knife

When I graduated from University, my sisters got me the best present I have ever received. A beautifully crafted Japanese Santoku kitchen knife. The Miyabi 5000-MCD Santoku. It is engraved with my initials and was the tipping point that brought me into the world of functional beauty.

I use this knife every day, it holds its edges for what seems like forever, it fits perfectly in my hand, and the handle is beautiful, yet it is so practical and functional.

I would highly recommend people get something beautiful that they use for an everyday task. It is incredible how much joy it can bring to your life. Since getting this knife, I have spent a small fortune on knives and enjoy every cut.

Smartwool running socks

When I graduated from University, my sisters got me the best present I have ever received. A beautifully crafted Japanese Santoku kitchen knife. The Miyabi 5000-MCD Santoku. It is engraved with my initials and was the tipping point that brought me into the world of functional beauty.

I use this knife every day, it holds its edges for what seems like forever, it fits perfectly in my hand, and the handle is beautiful, yet it is so practical and functional.

I would highly recommend people get something beautiful that they use for an everyday task. It is incredible how much joy it can bring to your life. Since getting this knife, I have spent a small fortune on knives and enjoy every cut.

Bonus: Laser Eye Surgery

I got laser eye surgery in March, and it was the best purchase I have made.

I went through Vivid Laser in Kelowna and was amazed by their team and service. Being able to wake up and see is life-changing. In addition, not having to constantly deal with glasses sliding down my nose and being smudged is incredible. Sports and running are so much better as

I can now see the scenery and don’t have to choose between being able to see and wearing glasses.