The Life Triangle, or Whatever

I’ve been thinking a lot about the whole wealth, health and time triangle lately. And I think it’s because I’m slowly approaching that age where I’m expected to have less time, more wealth and still relatively good health.

Or at least, that’s how it’s supposed to work.

There’s this popular idea that life is divided into three stages. When you’re young, you have all the time and health in the world, but little or no money. In your 30s and 40s, you should have more money, still decent health, but significantly less time. And when you’re much older, you probably have the money and time, but not necessarily the health to enjoy either.

Sounds about right, doesn’t it?

Well, I don’t know, man.

Because for a lot of people, that triangle is looking less and less like reality.

You’re supposed to have more wealth in your 30s, but have you seen the state of things lately? People are working their asses off, doing everything they’re supposed to do, and somehow still struggling to make ends meet.

Some people have neither the time nor the wealth. And some don’t even have the health.

I could say myself inclusive. 👀

Here’s the thing. People are trying their best, but the realities of life are making it seem as though their best isn’t any good.

And it’s so weird.

I don’t even know if the triangle was ever entirely true. Maybe it was just something that sounded nice and made sense on paper. Or maybe life has simply changed so much that the whole thing needs to be redrawn.

Either way, life has a very interesting way of humbling us.

But I still think there’s something worth taking away from the triangle. Not necessarily as a representation of how our lives should be, but as something that should guide some of the decisions we make.

At least, that’s how I’ve started looking at it.

I’m getting older. Apparently.

Last month, September 2026, I decided to learn outdoor cycling.

It was one of those things I’d wanted to learn for a while, and I made it a goal to learn it and see it through before the month ended.

And I did.

During my last cycling course, my instructor was trying to teach me some stunts. Things like standing and letting go of the handlebars while riding, and generally doing things that looked really cool.

And while I thought it was exciting, I found myself thinking about something else entirely.

What if I fell?

I mean, I could probably attempt it and succeed. And I’m pretty sure if this had happened 4 or 5 years ago, I probably would have tried it without thinking twice.

But now?

To what end?

To prove to myself that I could do it? Or to impress my instructor?

And what if I failed?

I could break an arm, end up bedridden, be off work for a while, and spend weeks in pain recovering from something I didn’t even need to attempt in the first place.

All because I wanted to do some stunt that some of my mates had probably done years ago when they were much younger and had almost nothing to lose.

And that’s when I realised something.

I’m getting to that age where I actually think about the consequences of my actions before doing things.

Which is funny because I’m only 27. I’m still very young.

But apparently, being young and feeling young are two different things.

And I don’t particularly like that.

But am I being responsible or just getting boring?

This whole cycling experience got me thinking about the life triangle again.

Because while I was happy about my progress and the little stunts I was able to do on a bike, I also realised that I was slowly becoming the kind of person who weighs every decision against its possible consequences.

And maybe that’s a good thing.

But at what point does being responsible become an excuse for not living?

At what point do we become so concerned about what could go wrong that we stop doing things simply because they excite us?

I don’t know.

I don’t think refusing to attempt a bicycle stunt means I’m getting old. Maybe it just means I’m beginning to understand risks a little better.

But I also don’t want that to become an excuse to stop trying new things.

Because the truth is, I’m still young. And there are so many things I can do now that might be significantly harder to do in another 20 or 30 years.

Not necessarily because I wouldn’t have the money, but because I might not have the health, energy or even the interest anymore.

And I’d hate to look back at this phase of my life and realise I spent all of it preparing for another phase.

The Great Lock-In, again.

This brings me back to something I wrote earlier in September about The Great Lock-In 2026.

I’ve been trying to do more things that excite me (DO WHAT EXCITES - Kelly Wakasa). Things that I can look back on years from now and say, “Yes, I did that when I was younger, and I did it so amazingly well.”

Not necessarily things that make me money, improve my career, or contribute to some grand plan for my future.

Just things I want to do.

I initially decided I was going to get a guitar and learn how to play before the end of October.

Well, scratch that. Got too lazy. 😭

I’ve changed my mind and decided to do more physical activities instead. Get back into the gym, join a running club, and generally become more active.

Not the “new month, new me” kind of active. Just moving more, and using this body while it still does what I ask it to without negotiating first.

And while I’m at it, I want to do some crazy shit. The kind of things I’d normally talk myself out of. A hike that’s a bit too long. A run I’m not sure I can finish. Jumping into cold water for no good reason. Maybe even giving that no-hands thing on the bike another go. Slowly. Somewhere soft. 😭

And this time, I want to record myself doing them.

Not for content. Not for the gram. Just so that in 20 or 30 years, I can pull up a video of 27-year-old me doing something ridiculous and say, “Yeah, I did that.”

Because memories fade, but footage doesn’t.

And I like that these are things that don’t necessarily require a lot of wealth.

I have my health (I guess). I have some time. Why not make use of both?

There’s also this weird pressure society puts on people to grow up so quickly.

By a certain age, you’re supposed to have achieved certain things. Have a particular amount of money, be at a certain point in your career, have your life figured out, and start making decisions like someone who’s already lived half their life.

And before you know it, you’re 27, thinking you’re running out of time.

Who tf decided that?

I think I’ve spent enough time worrying about what I should have achieved by now, or what I need to have achieved by 30.

And while I’m not saying those things don’t matter, I also don’t think I should spend all my time chasing them at the expense of actually enjoying the age I am.

Because there’s something quite ridiculous about spending your entire youth trying to build a future where you can finally enjoy the youth you’ve already lost.

Anyway...

Maybe the life triangle is true. Maybe it’s complete bullshit.

I don’t know.

But I think the more important thing for me is understanding what I currently have and making the most of it.

And I don’t want to wait until I’m wealthy enough to start doing things I could have done years before.

I want to live my age.

Do things that excite me. Learn things. Make memories. Take risks. Although maybe not the kind that would leave me with a broken arm and a hospital bill. 😭

And perhaps in another 20 years, I’ll look back at this phase of my life and be glad I actually lived it instead of spending all of it worrying about the next one.

I don’t know, man.

I’m still young. Very young, actually.

And I’d like to enjoy being young while I still am.