Building Something That Lasts

I've been thinking about what makes life feel worthwhile versus what just fills time. After raising nine children and observing the societal changes around us, certain patterns have become impossible to overlook.

There is a statistic that continues to trouble me: 42% of men under 30 report waking up feeling lost. This is not a small minority; it represents nearly half of that demographic. I see it in conversations with young people I meet, in the way my own sons navigate early adulthood, and in the recurring questions that arise.

We are surrounded by more entertainment, more opportunities, and more ways to stay busy than any generation in history. Yet, something fundamental seems to be missing. The quick hits - such as gaming achievements, social media likes, and binge-watching series - may scratch an itch, but they do not appear to create anything lasting.

I don't believe this is anyone's fault. The frameworks that used to guide people through their twenties and thirties have genuinely changed. Traditional markers of progress now seem either unattainable or irrelevant. We are encouraged to "find ourselves," yet the resources for actually building something meaningful feel scarce.

Here's what I have observed about what actually creates satisfaction, based on my own experiments and mistakes over the years.

The Profound Satisfaction of Hard Things

Real contentment often arises from confronting challenges that initially feel beyond your abilities. There is something invaluable about:

• Physical work that leaves you feeling genuinely exhausted yet proud

• Skills that take months or years to develop properly

• Projects that demand your full attention and dedication

I began learning kettlebell training at the age of 59, which initially felt absurd. However, there is a unique satisfaction in progressing with heavier and heavier weights and improved technique that no purchased convenience can replicate. It's the difference between merely consuming experiences and actively creating capabilities.

This isn't about rejecting modern life or becoming a survivalist. It's about recognising that humans appear to be wired to find meaning by overcoming challenges and genuinely excelling at things that matter.

Something Greater Than Immediate Gratification

Whether rooted in traditional faith, deeply held principles, or a connexion to something greater than one's immediate concerns, having an anchor point appears essential. My Christian faith shapes how I approach most decisions, yet I have observed similar stability in people grounded in other traditions or philosophies.

What matters is having reference points that outlast temporary emotions or social pressures. These reference points can help you:

• Stand firm when those around you are swayed by the latest trends

• Find a purpose that extends beyond mere momentary pleasure

• Connect your daily choices to principles that truly resonate with you

The alternative—making decisions solely based on what feels right in the moment—appears to result in a kind of drift that is difficult to recover from.

Small Actions, Compounded

The gap between knowing what you should do and actually doing it is where most good intentions falter. I have learnt that meaningful change occurs through consistent, albeit mundane, efforts rather than through dramatic gestures:

• Taking care of your physical health is the foundation for everything else

• Fixing the small, broken aspects of your daily routine before attempting to overhaul your entire life

• Building something tangible; whether it be skills, relationships, or actual projects

The difference between contemplating change and actually experiencing it lies in what you do consistently, rather than what you do once in a moment of motivation.

Why This Feels Urgent Now

Certain capabilities that have built civilisations, such as working with your hands, thinking independently, and communicating directly, are becoming increasingly rare skills. Meanwhile, we are witnessing troubling trends:

• Physical fitness is declining as sedentary work becomes the norm

• Rapid-fire opinions are replacing careful thought

• Self-reliance is giving way to dependence on systems beyond our control

• Real community connections are weakening as digital interactions dominate

None of these changes are inherently catastrophic on their own. However, collectively, they signify a loss of something valuable. Learning to cultivate food, working with wood, thinking independently, and maintaining strong relationships, are not merely nostalgic throwbacks. They serve as practical insurance policies that offer security and satisfaction, regardless of external circumstances.

What I Am Building Here

ForgeHub is not just another productivity hack or transformation promise. It is a platform for exploring practical wisdom, developing genuine skills, and contemplating how to live purposefully in a complex world.

Coming up:

• 13 May: "Reclaiming Your Testosterone" - Practical approaches to men's health that go beyond supplements

• 20 May: "Understanding DEI Through a Different Lens" - Navigating cultural issues without succumbing to simplistic divisions

• 27 May: "The Quiet Confidence Pattern”.

• June 2025: "Forge Your Path" eBook - 15,000 words of practical insights (free for the first 50 ForgeHub newsletter subscribers)

The goal is not to reject everything modern or to idealise an imaginary past. Instead, it is to thoughtfully select what actually builds strength and to discard what merely serves as a distraction.

Finding Your Unique Third Path

Most people feel compelled to choose between relentless consumption and a total rejection of modern life. However, there is a third option: thoughtfully engaging with both timeless principles and contemporary realities.

What this looks like in practice:

• Building physical and mental resilience through consistent effort

• Grounding yourself in principles that provide actual direction

• Developing skills that create real value

• Connecting with others who take growth seriously

If you're tired of merely passing the time and wish to create something that endures beyond the next distraction, then we're probably thinking about similar ideas.

The world needs people who can think clearly, act wisely, and remain steadfast in their values - not through aggression or withdrawal, but through effective engagement with the challenges that arise.

That's what we are exploring here.

— Richard Morrissey