This Month in Life Design: Designing Your Life Without Borders
There is something captivating about the unknown—what lies just beyond the familiar. Still, many of us, myself most certainly included, spend our days within the boundaries of routine and expectation, unsure how to push beyond them. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned, life happens when you soar across those borders. At Johns Hopkins, our approach to Life Design is all about exploring who you are and what your future could look like beyond just choosing a career path.
For me, this resonates and is quite personal. As a father of four, I quickly realized there’s no guidebook for parenting. It’s a constant process of learning on the fly. I’ve had to get curious about what kind of father I want to be and how my values must contribute to how I guide my kids. That mindset of curiosity—the willingness to ask meaningful questions and embrace uncertainty—has been my anchor as I navigate life’s many unknowns.
And this has shown up in my professional experience as well. After five years of starting my career in both education and consulting, I found myself with a unique opportunity. It was quite a pivot, but I decided to leave a full-time job in higher-ed to take a part-time role working in professional sports, a passion of mine, and then pursue a graduate degree in Sports Management. I had to embrace a different possible life—a new path, even if it initially seemed far-fetched. It taught me that life is less about sticking to a single plan and more about opening yourself to what’s out there. Reinvention, I’ve learned, is always an option.
Speaking of reinvention, outside of my personal and professional lives, I scratched the itch of entrepreneurship while also tapping into a lifelong passion for percussion. In my 20s, I teamed up with my best friend and roommate to start a band. We had no guarantees of success, no clear path ahead, but we dove in anyway. What began as unloading gear while double parked in Washington, DC, turned into sold-out shows at some of the most substantial venues in the District. Building something from scratch taught me that growth comes from taking risks, embracing the highs and lows, and learning from every twist in the road.
Whether you explore new career paths, raise a family, or start a creative venture, it’s about connecting your experiences and weaving them into the larger story of who you are becoming. Every choice, every risk, and every moment of curiosity helps shape that story. And that story will open doors to exciting possibilities and meaningful relationships.
And speaking of stepping into the unknown, this September, Future Fest is your opportunity to break through your own borders. Whether you’re looking for possible jobs and internships, looking to make meaningful connections, or just curious about your future, the next two weeks are designed to help you explore what’s possible. It’s a chance to connect with opportunities, reimagine your path, and take steps toward creating the life you want with a supportive community.
So, what’s holding you back? Let’s take this journey together at Future Fest, one bold move at a time.
See you there!
-Matthew Golden
Assistant Vice Provost
Undergraduate & Masters Life Design
