How I Would Start My Life if I Were 18 Now

[@Sushichill]

Gonna show this to my newborn. Better start early

[@jonathanharmeyer2255]

Really great video, loved that you’re not giving advice per se, but your perspective. As a 19 year old from America, who is currently in Italy cooking in a Michelin star restaurant, I’m not sold on the idea it takes 7 years to get enough money to buy the magic beans - I saved up enough money and then spent it all to come here. I get back from my trip in a month and plan to do it all over again in a different country, but literally a year and a half out of high school, I’ve traveled to several countries, across the US, have a degree in culinary arts, and I’m learning tons about cooking, I have friends in Taiwan, Bangladesh, Sweden, Italy, Germany, Brazil, and more and I have so many opportunities. I’m so lucky to have a basis in cooking professionally (I’ve been doing so for 4 years now) becuase it allows to make me so many connections and opportunities. I literally have my keys to travel the world. At the same time, I don’t take advice from anyone, and do all the stupid shit I want as long as it feels right. I make so many mistakes, but I’m on an amazing journey right now, and I can’t wait to see where it takes me. Yes, the mistakes suck to make, but my goal in life isn’t to avoid failure, it’s to live an amazing full adventurous life, where I meet amazing people, and learn all the skills I could dream of. I don’t have security, money, a plan, or many other things people consider “essential” in life - but I have a way to get food (working in restaurants), clothes on my back, friends and family who support and teach me, and the simple pleasures of coffee on an italian morning or a beer with the Bangladeshi dishwasher and his curry. It’s really really tough and long days, but I’m so grateful and it just feels right.

[@Abhimanyu-ez5tg]

Inspiring , keep it up man 🙌🏻

[@burgesssam]

Sounds like you're living a great life! Enjoy my man!

[@chicken_joe6993]

As an 18 year old who doesn't yet know which path to take in life, this video was very inspiring. Thank you!

[@travel21]

This advice is super sketchy. Move to a college town and build shelves to sorority girls, having not gone to college? Maybe they will be impressed by the fancy paint job on your truck, or maybe they will look down on you and you will find yourself wondering what the hell got into you to think this would work.

[@LukeDiamond20]

@@travel21 Travel, how old are you?

[@giant3909]

As a 30yo, if I had to go back at 18, I would: - learn how to cook - learn about personal finances - invest money ASAP - learn to fix things - do exercise I started these later in life and it sucks that I missed on that

[@travel21]

@@LukeDiamond20 Old

[@NomadOverNormal]

Loved the bean stalk analogy. This video feels refreshing because it’s not aiming too high. I’ve noticed I can no longer read business books by men, because they all talk about Facebook, Apple and Uber. They aim too high and are uselessly ambitious. I started reading books by women like, “how to keep a house while drowning” or “making a living without a job” where it’s so much more empathetic to the difficulties of life, and proposes ideas on how to get around them.

[@mybrainsmuseum]

Someone should write a book about this.

[@daleschmitz5832]

Maybe you haven’t yet read a book written by a spirited man.

[@OliverWallaceStories]

@@mybrainsmuseum it seems like at lease two people have written books about this?

[@OliverWallaceStories]

Andy J. Pizza's "creative pep talk" also has a lot of soulful advice - focused on creative careers, but widely applicable I think.

[@mybrainsmuseum]

@@OliverWallaceStories I was making a joke

[@orangekayak]

This is a good plan. I never went to college and went onto HVAC at 18. At 24, I started my own shop and indeed bought a Southern Bell service body truck for $1,700. Niche in and be the best. Save 10% of everything you make and invest in the index. Buy into real estate you can improve and add value to. In 20 years, you have more options than you can imagine.

[@Courtney-Jai]

I went to college and uni got my degree dashed it out the window got my hvac , bought a house invested time in youtube and now I make mutiple incomes while having a useful trade behind me.

[@julienschaffner8242]

Along with the shelves, offering a tear down service and drywall repair would help increase productivity in the move out phase for the students.

[@migueldesa]

Finally a video!!! you are a light in KZbin in the middle of nonsense plastic content, you have no idea how much you inspire authentic creators...

[@baconfabian]

This video comes to me at a great time. Somehow, the spirited man is rooted in this naive, wishfull and devoted mentality in which great and surprising things comes. That's your magic Van Neistat. Thank you.

[@nathanieldrew]

I am a big fan of what you do, Van! Thank you for making things.

[@aes1588]

Van, this is amazing, I’m 19 and in college and this is very inspiring. Maybe I will graduate college, and be ur shelf guy.. love your videos man!

[@rslr]

Start *while* you're in college. Take on the work you want ... even if it's only a few hours each week.

[@ElijahDerwahl]

I graduated High school just under a week ago and have been looking for a plan or a path, this video truly came at the most perfect time.

[@drewc4204]

With the trades, I can say this: "follow your gut." You wont be great at making things you dont truly want to exist. For me? I was obsessed with lights. I thought they were so cool, their intensity and position can change a person's mood like music (Im also a guitarist). So during Covid--I was 24 and had 2 college degrees (Organizational Communication & Philosophy)--I decided to make $17/hour as an electrical helper. I had so-called better options. I changed companies as often as I felt the deal of my employment wasnt fair to me, and I traded up about 5 times in 5 years. People WILL take advantage of you, so you need the leverage of your excellent performance to enhance your career. Get a new job before you quit your job--don't be jobless, the nature of this type of work certainly allows for that potential. Now, Im a proud Local 3 IBEW member, and I earn a good wage performing my OCD all over NYC. I take a train into the citadel of America's main Megalopolis 3 days every week and like the wizard who understands your condition, I am allowed places you'd never be allowed. I'm given coworkers who are more competanct than I am who I would never have met otherwise who teach me new tricks and skills constantly--and you know you're in the right place when you as a tradesperson thinks of "skills" as a skateboarder thinks of "tricks". Keep at it boss man, you'll be great.

[@SkylerKing]

You graduated high school in October?

[@ElijahDerwahl]

@@SkylerKing yep, my countries school system allows me to completely graduate without any final exams

[@GodzHammer]

This is SO Crazy you won’t believe me. I was meditating all morning and in the shower about starting a fresh start from scratch and I ALSO was fantasizing about hiking Kilimanjaro as a treat to myself once I hit my financial goal. GOD is speaking to me through you!!! - Thank You 🙏 ☺️

[@martinongwae1931]

One of the most Profound videos I’ve seen in the whole year … I really needed this. Great job

[@adayinthelife5496]

An paid artist who dreams of being a contractor...you are not sane.

[@coleparker1934]

Van, you are the man! Thanks for entertaining and educating me for years

[@7Llewelyn]

Fabulous video Van. I hope many young people are inspired by it.

[@ChristopherCampNYC]

I tell my kids a similar story, minus the truck, and have a friend in Athens that I thought of too. But your storytelling is perfect for me. Thank you.

[@javovg1215]

Didn’t even know that I needed this video until now! Thanks Van! Such a simple idea made into something truly beautiful, sometimes changing your career path to something not everyone does, seems scary and requires courage and commitment to succeed at something. Thank you for encouraging us to pursue something different!

[@Wallett]

About to graduate college this spring at the age of 25, got behind because of Covid dropped out and did restaurants before going back. Gonna look for a carpentry apprenticeship for life skills and give handy work a try. Thank you for great videos Van, I hope you have lots of happiness in your life

[@mybrainsmuseum]

New studio space looks great!

[@a.c.m.2336]

Very thought provoking! Loved the premise and the steps

[@jakobe234]

sooooo helpful. especially the aspect of moving to a cheaper place instead of "the big city" or whatever

[@skyedrknss]

This might be my Favorite Spirited Man...especially Knowing the Spirited Man Adventure so thoroughly from the years of viewing...my most Intriguing Element to me is that the road Envisioned wouldn't be 1/2 as Cool as the Life Lived which gave him the wisdom & experience he Actually Had....Love You Van & Adore this Channel now for many years

[@MotoGiant]

I regret many of my early choices - college being one of them, but it did expand my mind more than working with hands would have. Real estate should have been my first choice - I would have retired at 45 :(

[@Skullk_]

Quit my job today. This couldn't have come at a better time

[@ryanm4319]

If you’re gonna go that far NE, go to Morgantown WV..basically the whole town is WVU and Coopers Rock and the surrounding mountains are AMAZING. MY brother and sister in law met there, buying a cabin soon! Incredible real estate prices still too!

[@YewToob6969]

Funnily enough, Van did two years at WVU before transferring to William & Mary. He talks in another video about how he remembers one of the years it rained or was overcast 90% of the time.

[@coolcid8888]

See you all over where I live. Keep on doing what you do

[@tiffersome]

I started taking woodworking classes at my local community college a few months ago inspired by DIY channels like this, GirlInTheWoods, and BushRadical. You could have a cabinet making business (not a shelf making business), but you'd need to learn the 7 steps to squaring a piece of wood, how to joint your pieces without using screws, and to appreciate the strength and beauty of a solid piece of wood that isn't glued together wood chips like plywood. Don't expect to make much more than minimum wage, you would be getting into the industry for the love of woodworking.

[@ojp_x1]

Brilliant! Worth mentioning those a bit further down the road perhaps in an unfulfilling career may be sitting on a modest cash cow. Trade it for the magic beans. Live a story worth remembering.

[@dragunslaer]

van love your stuff man peace

[@angelomosquera6463]

This is such a beautiful video

[@denalixo]

Jumped up and down like a boy on Christmas, you are amazing Van.

[@joseph441-y2u]

AMAZING video! Need more like this. At 24 years old I am very blessed to have a wise father who helped me find a good path. Sticking to it has been difficult but I believe I am on the right path!

[@jtreg]

This presentation did not irritate me as they normally do. I really liked this one, you talk a huge lot of sense, I wish had done what you describe in this video. Born in 1954, I guees I can only stand back and admire now!. Best wishes, James.

[@FWA1677]

New Studio Space is extraordinary!!! Love you Van! You give me hope!

[@ColeWormood]

the ending gave me chills

[@chocolatemonk]

Cool thought project. I appreciate the humility in this

[@AlgyFonts]

Listening from a bar in Athens GA while I get some work done

[@MikeDancy]

We're about the same vintage. When I was in University, I wanted to be a travelling magazine reporter. But to pay the rent, I had a pickup and did junk removal as a side gig. Built some decks, did some home repairs etc. We have a similar story line :)

[@beaconfilms]

I think a lot of us in America are concerned about the upcoming election and the effects it will have on our life. This is our potential fourth turning and as Spirited Beings, we know how difficult and important it is to keep living. Thank you for your continued wisdom and insight. There is always a way forward.

[@khester7397]

I know what you mean about the election. I love BOTH candidates so much! I can't choose!

[@burgesssam]

@@khester7397 Think you're the first person I've seen say that they love both. Interesting!

[@FloydTaylor]

the lighting and the composition are on point

[@michaelkopper5289]

Van, I look forward to everyone of your videos. I love your style. Every video has so much soul something lacking in today’s world of flashy content.

[@dittot]

Incredible, one of your best videos

[@AbdallahBotan]

All the carpernet thing is a blank space that you can fill your passion and the end will be as Van told us in the end of the video.

[@LifeIn-nq1pu]

You need to work in a trade fir 3 years to get a contractors license and have your business legally bonded

[@shamuclone]

you got me with the Austin bait, did not expect Athens

[@oleanderpcm2969]

I love your work so much. In this video I love you so much. That very person, you have become at the time of this video is THE version of the archetype of MAN he aims to become one day. Arrived, well aged, and yet full of passion, curiosity and hunger for life, parallel life, unlived life or hypothetical life. You own them all. No sorrow, no pity, no remorse. Just playful what ifs. I'll read Kerouac and visit Athens (U.S.) one day. Waving to you from over the ocean from Vienna/Austria/Europe

[@joeydeef]

Oh, brother. As soon as the title card cut to the Original Scroll, I lost my shit. The most important book I ever read and your ode to it was beautiful. Bless good sir. Thank you

[@MChava78]

That was awesome brother! I really enjoyed it.

[@TSGEnt]

Seeing "neiMac" still cracks me up. Beautiful. I had what was called iBoob. you know the iMac on a half domed base with a monitor on a articulating chome stick? I made digital movies from individual's family still photos. For birtday's weddings, and even funerals. Did pretty good. Everyone wanted one for their event.

[@kylevanslyke4463]

loved this one.

[@LoganSamuelVideos]

Hahah great video! Me going to Home Depot to buy some carpentry equipment !

[@HulseyConsulting]

Great advice, Van! Well said.

[@FunBoy77]

Third move : Las Cruces, NM, home of New Mexico State

[@Jackson-nq2kh]

Hi Van. Eighteen year old here. Thank you for both your consideration and your artistry.

[@facuromat]

Hahah one of the towns next to Athens, is called Gratis. That in spanish means "free". That is where alt van should live.

[@AndrewPaul1]

the GOAT

[@barefootfriend]

As a person who lived in Athens this is 100% accurate. everyone I knew needed help building/making things.

[@jackmoore325]

Im a graduate student at the University of Georgia and I loved the shout out!! I mounted a shelve last year following your approach so in a round about way, your shelves have already made it to athens

[@ASMRREMEMBER-x4q]

your videos are always interesting

[@JazzJaguar]

Can't go wrong in Athens, GA. I spent some great years there.

[@nixiebeats8734]

Thanks Van!

[@ioScala]

I love your videos. This one was a peach :-) Keep up the great work, you're a real talent!

[@forestzhang3191]

Hi! This is great, thank you :D

[@jakevalentine3282]

New Business name to put on the truck“Be Your Shelf”

[@momphard]

8:26 My new most segment of any Van Neistadt video.

[@dirkvdk2508]

sick outro!

[@workinprogress01]

I am 26 year old cabinet installer and I 100% support this. Get in the trades, become good at one thing or a bunch of things and make money off them. Enjoy working with your hands, testing yourself, and making mistakes, but also being proud of the work you do. It'll be worth it.

[@MichaelsJohnDeere]

The truck should come equipped with a Tommy gate for when the help doesn’t come to work.

[@johnson8711]

This is truly inspiring video, props man, im 24 and living in a developing country, i wish i had your 49 year old brain perhaps i could try something bold in my life

[@etiennereumont-truffier6890]

Love it, its a great one

[@K2JFM]

Yas! Georgia and Chastin in the same video... very cool...

[@JustinsUrban]

Camera quality looks great

[@andreasameigen]

Your best video so far (and I'm 52).

[@LEO03KA]

This Back Wall is very very nice, Van

[@nanpm5190]

as an 18 y/o thta moved to athens, i can tell you it chaged the trajectory of my life !

[@conradcoolerfiend]

agree alot, except you should strongly consider a ticketed trade, plumbing, electrician or hvac. they make even better money and you also make money during your apprenticeship. Another fantastic path is mobile auto mechanic or bodywork.

[@cfc1001001cfc]

I went to UGA in Athens as a student from 1989 to 1993, back in the era just after bands like REM, the B-52, Pylon, and other bands from that era were at their heyday. It was a magical place. Working in IT, I went to live and work in Metro Atlanta to pursue my career, but I still have a soft spot for the town.

[@jonathanscheele4774]

94 - 98 for me and I agree

[@TommyGrisselFilms]

Loved this

[@thisiswesanderson]

College towns have VERY unusual economies. Athens, GA - good choice. 10/10

[@DbrownVision]

I already know there's a kid living at UGA watching this, that is about to start a shelf business for the sororities.

[@youknowwithMartyKauffman]

Great video

[@ACoustaDC]

MIght be the best video this year... and of all time?? Second only to gifting.

[@Wacik5-iy5pt]

to all 18 guys now, I hear what Van is saying, but not everyone is so lucky. 10 years ago I graduated highschool and have similar attitude that being good craftman will drive me to better life than collage, and guess what I graduated 3 years ago and never have better life. Degree opens doors that remains closed without it, and you can always be a shelf guy but first let's make some money and that should be a side business. There is no way that you start a concractor bussiness and make living from it in next year. It's needs to be a side job.

[@petergduncan]

Great advice at any age, trading for opportunities that turn into experiences!

[@luisdeprimaveras]

you are magical

[@edwardchester1]

It's interesting to have this perspective given just how successful and adventurous a life you've had. Living in NY, making a TV show, travelling the world a bunch. Those are a lot of experiences even most college-educated folk from mid-income families don't get to have - many of us look back on a meandering and middlingly successful life without having summited mountains, travelled south america, made a frickin TV show, etc. All of which is to say, I also would take a similar path as recommended here, if I had my time again. University was fine/ok but an extra handful of years earning money and travelling etc I definitely would've preferred here and now. That said, there's every chance if you took that route, you'd come out the other side thinking you wish you'd gone to college. The grass is always greener...

[@fatheryolo]

Video starts at 1:05 🎉

[@dpmakestuff]

You adjusted your typewriter!

[@dpmakestuff]

Oh wait, new typewriter! You should adjust your old one. I can help

[@jeannine1991]

Your life is way better now than what you describe for a re-do.

[@forestzhang3191]

as much as it pains me to think it…yeahhhh

[@Tearyatobitz]

🤔 idk about this one Van

[@CrayFishHandMade]

So on this journey slight difference im doing it in my 40s

[@thirdpartyproductions8386]

I’ve always wondered if you had some archival footage of your days at W&M

[@wms201]

Where I live there is a company that specializes in assembling do it yourself furniture and hanging flat screen televisions on walls. I bet he has work all day…

[@turnermcdougal]

Didn’t think I would see my new employer Pink’s in one of your videos!

[@nathanfralic6535]

School psychologist in a high school here- to your point about trades, the more specialized you can get, the more you can charge (and the greater demand you can service). I have always said, if I could do it over, I would learn an unsexy trade (plumber, etc.) and make a great, detailed oriented business. Well wishes all!

[@almollitor]

This is an excellent point. I worked part-time as a handyman/carpenter for 30 years. I learned a lot of useful stuff, but working alone is a very hard way to make a living. A trade with barriers to entry like plumbing or electrical is much more financially rewarding - there are too many people out there who think they're handy driving down prices with crappy carpentry work. People don't appreciate or value good work.

[@alexpasala]

Thankyou van -lost 19 year old with a unique mind

[@lennsoderlund4476]

Man, would I love to see what you do with a utility truck, Van!

[@mtmccornack]

I like this exercise, because in this imaginary 18 year olds mind, I would still know how to operate a camera! (whew!) I did something similar where i went to a small college town and I did notice one neato thing. As long as you have a connection to a local and not a student you can get wired with the back end and be a big fish in a small pond, but ya gotta know someone or this doesn't work. My problem is I'd rather be a nobody in a metropolitan city than a somebody in a rinky dink town.

[@DaVinciwithaphaser]

The only thing from our past that we can have is regrets. Look forward brothers.