I can still remember the nights at Stanford when a fleet of vacuums would start up throughout my dorm like engines revving at Daytona. There’s something about an imminent test that compels people to organize their life.

Adulthood isn’t as easily tracked as a syllabus, I suppose, because I haven’t felt that itch in a long time. But earlier this year I decided that I needed to take stock.

I started with the physical, paring down my clothes and possessions and donating what I didn’t need. Then I moved inward and changed my eating habits to lose about 14 pounds (and counting).

Next came my professional life. I’m happy to report that I’ve finally committed myself to finding and telling the stories that I want to read.

A couple of weeks ago, I published a story about the trash-talking competitors at an NBA Jam tournament at PAX East.

Also inspired by my trip to PAX was an article at Tor.com on what it’s like to be a cosplayer. I interviewed a couple who are making a name for themselves for their joint cosplay. They’ve embraced what they love and as a result are on their way to building future careers as costume designers and voice actors.

But I’m proudest of my profile of photographer Kevin Russ for VICE’s Motherboard. Russ ditched his life as a stock photographer to travel the countryside taking photos with his iPhone. He’s living out of his car and surviving on tuna sandwiches, but he’s making it work.

There’s a theme here. These are people who have big dreams and are willing to make sacrifices for them. Pretty good role models, don’t you think?