My birthday is today! It's surreal acknowledging I'm 32. What a number — I'm old. And what a time to be alive.

All to say, my 30s have been special; things seem to have come together at near-perfect timing. I'm the most grounded I've been, as well as the most independent, confident, self-loving — the list goes on. Because of this, I welcome each birthday as a moment to reflect and express gratitude for the life I'm building. It makes getting older less scary and something to look forward to. I think the saying is another year older, another year wiser.

When I think about WABM, especially so far this year, I'm filled with joy. December 2024 will mark four years since I started the brand. And to be honest, WABM was initially intended to be a special project. However, over time, I’ve come to enjoy the process of design. Nurturing the brand has given me a deep sense of purpose.

At the same time, it's been a process for me to approach WABM with, well, a different mindset. Last year, I felt like I was rushing to make WABM an overnight success. I was locked in because I wanted so badly for my brand to take off. I prioritized work and tuned out nearly everything else. Mamba mentality was my excuse.

But as I was buried with nearly every obstacle in domestic production (e.g., never-ending delays), I realized that sometimes hard work isn’t enough. And as this was going on, I saw a side of myself I didn’t like. I found myself angry, burnt out, and lonely.

While processing these emotions, I realized that Mamba mentality isn't for everyone — because there's a downside to it. My obsession with work could make WABM successful, but it could also make me lose sight of being 1) present and 2) human — which, in my opinion, are some of life’s most precious gifts.

So this year, I’m approaching WABM with a different set of values. I want to appreciate the process, embrace the brand’s ebb and flow, and be present. In practice, I’ve separated time for work versus time for play. I’m present in both activities and treat them as mutually exclusive. The outcome has been amazing.

I’ve been able to feel more inspired and engaged with design. And when I’m with friends, I’m enjoying myself, giving undivided attention, and no longer running work scenarios in my brain while simultaneously sharing a conversation. It took me a handful of consecutive setbacks to accept that good things take time. But in return, I am operating at a higher level with a deeper understanding of myself. And I think that’s special — because I’m continuing to grow through embracing a beginner’s mind. I’m living and breathing the ethos behind this brand.

So if you’ve made it this far, thank you for reading this reflection post. I’m excited to continue sharing things that I’m working on and giving you a behind-the-scenes look at how I move. Here's a sneak peek!

– Matt Pham