#43 - The Fives of March
Mar 26, 2024
The Fives of March: 5 Things Every Guy Should Watch, Read, and Learn This Month
Welcome to "The Fives" - a new monthly series where we break down five essential things guys in their 20s should know about. This month: something to watch, read, listen to, try, and learn. Think of it as your curated guide to the best content that'll actually impact your life.
Something I Watched: Dune 2
Why You Need to See It: This isn't just another sci-fi movie. Dune 2 is a masterclass in world-building that'll leave you inspired to create something yourself.
The Impact: Every day since watching it, I've thought about this film. It's not often a movie makes you want to immediately go out and build something, but Dune 2 does exactly that. The sheer scale of effort, attention to detail, and collaborative work that went into creating this cinematic experience is mind-blowing.
What Makes It Special:
Groundbreaking cinematography and direction
Epic storyline that fully immerses you
Production value that showcases what's possible with dedicated teamwork
Visual effects that make you forget the outside world exists
Pro Tip: See it on the biggest screen possible. This is the kind of movie experience that reminds you why theaters still matter.
Something I Read: The Psychology of Money
Current Pick for Guyset Book Club: This book explores how our emotions and psychology drive our financial decisions - crucial knowledge for guys navigating their 20s.
Why It Matters: Money management isn't just about math; it's about understanding your own psychological relationship with money. In your 20s, developing this awareness can set you up for lifelong financial success.
Key Insights (so far):
Financial decisions are driven more by emotion than logic
Understanding your money psychology is crucial for building wealth
Small, consistent choices compound over time
Join the Discussion: Reading along? Submit your thoughts through the Guyset Book Club form - we'll feature reader insights in our upcoming book review episode.
Something I Listened To: The Mel Robbins Podcast - "13 Things I Wish I Knew in My 20s"
Why This Episode Is Essential: Mel Robbins shares hard-earned wisdom that directly applies to guys navigating post-college life.
Standout Concept - The Great Scattering: This is the period after college when everyone you know splits off onto completely different life paths. Understanding this concept can save you from:
Constantly comparing yourself to friends
Feeling like you're "behind" in life
Anxiety about where you "should" be
The Reality Check: Your friends are simultaneously:
Living at home vs. having apartments
In relationships vs. single vs. dating
Thriving vs. struggling
In different cities, jobs, and life stages
Key Takeaway: Recognizing "The Great Scattering" helps you stop comparing your behind-the-scenes with everyone else's highlight reel.
Something I Learned: Understanding Text Anxiety
The Scenario: You send a text and don't get a response for an hour or two. In that time, you convince yourself they hate you, never liked you, and your friendship/relationship is over. Then they respond with "LOL" and suddenly the world is perfect again.
Sound Familiar? This anxiety spiral is incredibly common but completely irrational.
When It Happens Most:
After poor sleep
When you haven't exercised
After too much phone scrolling
When you haven't left your apartment
When you're dehydrated or haven't been outside
The Solution:
Put your phone down for a few hours
Go outside and get fresh air
Drink water and move your body
Take a nap if you're sleep-deprived
Establish a morning routine that sets you up for mental clarity
Reality Check: The other person had no idea they caused this mental spiral. They were probably just in a meeting or living their life normally.
Something I Tried: Creating Monthly "Fives" Content
The Experiment: Instead of random topics, organizing content into monthly themes with five specific categories.
Why It Works:
Structure: Easier to plan and execute
Variety: Covers entertainment, education, and personal growth
Community: Creates shared experiences (like book clubs)
Consistency: Gives listeners something to look forward to monthly
Categories That Resonate:
Something Watched (entertainment/inspiration)
Something Read (education/growth)
Something Listened To (other voices/perspectives)
Something Learned (personal insights)
Something Tried (experiments/experiences)
Key Takeaways for Your 20s
1. Embrace The Great Scattering
Stop comparing your journey to others. Everyone's path diverges after college, and that's completely normal.
2. Consume Inspiring Content
Whether it's Dune 2 or another piece of media, seek content that motivates you to create and build.
3. Read for Growth
Choose books that challenge your thinking, especially about money, psychology, and personal development.
4. Manage Your Mental State
Recognize when anxiety spirals happen and have tools ready: exercise, nature, sleep, hydration.
5. Create Systems
Whether it's morning routines or monthly content themes, structure helps combat the chaos of your 20s.
The Monthly Challenge
Try implementing your own "Fives" this month:
Watch something that inspires you to create
Read something that challenges your thinking
Listen to voices that offer different perspectives
Learn something about yourself and your patterns
Try a new approach to organizing your life
Final Thoughts
Your 20s can feel overwhelming because everything is changing constantly. But by intentionally consuming good content, learning about yourself, and recognizing normal patterns (like The Great Scattering), you can navigate this period with more clarity and less anxiety.
Remember: Everyone is figuring it out as they go. You're not behind - you're exactly where you need to be in your own journey.
For more monthly roundups and practical advice on navigating your 20s, listen to Guyset - A Guy's Guide to What Should Be Talked About. Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major platforms. Submit your questions and book club thoughts through the forms in our show notes.
5 things from March: Something I watched, Something I read, Something I listened to, Something I learned, Something I tried.
When my boss calls me mid episode, for all intense and purposes, this episode was recorded after normal working hours (I was it swear).
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See you next Tuesday!
