A Halfway Memo to My Life

About Yu Man｜关于满煜

2025？Wait, how did I blink and turn 42 years old? Mentally, I’m not quite there yet—but if this is what a midlife looks like, I really can’t complain. In fact, I’d call it a pretty good run. Even if I got hit by a bus tomorrow (knock on wood), I’d leave with zero regrets. Not because I’m wise—more like I’ve always flown by the seat of my pants, no grand plan, no big expectations. Just went with the flow.

By now, I’ve covered pretty much every corner of China. It all started when I was 13, wandering beyond Beijing’s Xīnwénhuà Street—and I just never stopped. Each journey grew longer, each return a little later. While the world was still holding its breath between crises, I ventured beyond Asia too: Africa, North America, Central Asia, Europe. South America and Australia are still unchecked—but hey, if the universe allows, those are next on the list.

Honestly, I’m not even sure what kept pushing me forward all these years. But along the way, I picked up some serious skills. I’m certified in high-altitude mountaineering (yes, including Everest), and licensed to operate everything from cars and boats to aircraft. Star-gazing, deep-sea diving, glacier trekking—you name it, I’ve got the skills to back it up. I also restore vintage items—for friends, family, and myself. It’s kind of my thing. Guess that’s the Beijing kid in me — always got a soft spot for old stuff. Stamps, coins, old tickets…anything vintage catches my eyes, I keep it.

My career? 100% rooted in the outdoors. Since graduating, I’ve made a living through rock climbing, ice climbing, and high-altitude expeditions. What I studied in college feels almost irrelevant now. I know a bit of everything, pretty decent at most——a jack of all trades, master of some. I can hold my own just about anywhere.

So here's to the journeys taken and those still to come.If our trails happen to cross, I’ll be happy to walk alongside a while. After all, it’s the people you meet along the way that make the journey not just adventurous, but truly unforgettable.

      2025年，一回头的功夫，怎么就42了？心里吧，真还没准备好接受，可要说这是前半生，那是一点都不亏。属于那种——要真哪天出门让车撞了，也不带埋怨的。不是我想得开，是因为我这人一贯没规划，也没啥期待，活得习惯随性。

      走到今天，中国基本都踩遍了。从十三岁起，从北京新文化街往外走，越走越远，来回的路越来越长。趁着世界还算稳定的档口，跑出亚洲，看过非洲、北美、中亚、欧洲。就是还没去南美和澳洲——不过，这要阎王爷给的时间足够，那也是迟早的事儿。

      说实话，真不知道是啥推着我一路往前走，就这么走到现在。被逼着学会的不少手艺：能上珠峰的本事有，能开的现代科技“车、船、飞机”也都能合法折腾起来。抬头想看天的，低头想钻水里的，雪山上想晃荡的，技术全备。家里头和身边朋友的老物件儿，修修补补也都在手艺范围里。毕竟北京孩子嘛，有点念旧：邮票、钱币、票券，见着就收点儿。

      100%的工作都跟自然相关，上个山，下个海，达毕业后一直折腾户外——攀岩、攀冰、雪山，都是糊口的营生。本来的专业也变得轻如鸿毛。啥都知道点，啥都不差，全是中上水平，还能跨圈子玩儿，凑合算是“混江湖的全能型”。

      所以说，这里算是个总结，走过的路，心里清楚；还没走的，也排着队。要是真能遇见同路人，那就看缘分，走一段。毕竟啊，前半生的风景，要不是有一帮朋友一路帮衬，也没这么热闹，也没这么多彩。