One Second Every Day on James Jarvis

27 Years Old

hello@jamesjarvis.io (James Jarvis) — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

From the 23rd June 2025 to 23rd June 2026.

I’ve been spending less time in England during the summers as of late, so I went back to my roots and spent more time in and around London, with the occasional camping trip. I love England in the summer and would rather spend time escaping it during the winters!

I’ve been upping the distance I cycle, with the occasional commute to and from London in nice weather, which I’ve absolutely loved getting back to. Some time exploring Poland with Filip (who had left the UK) was a highlight of the late summer. On the topic of friends leaving, Majuran, Caitlin and Raph later followed suit - seeking new experiences or their own brexit!

Housework continued, with some rip outs from the garden, a new bathroom/carpet and using up some excess flooring at the parent’s house!

AI has been a big influence this year - it’s been a love-fear relationship but I’m back into my high learning curve era, which I’ve been thoroughly enjoying! Not all things were hunky dory with the day-job and from November I had been looking to move on/receiving compelling offers elsewhere - should have done this sooner but I had been in a lower-risk mindset - something to leave behind for the future! I’m diving into this new year with some new faces, and a proper, exciting challenge ahead!

Trips round central Europe with Raphael, Istanbul, Beijing, Chengdu, Chongqing and Wuhan with Feiyang, California with Konrad and Elisabeth and my first time Skiing! Happy I was attacking red routes by the end of it, but not everyone on our trip was so lucky 😬.

As I enter into my proper late-20s era I’m looking forward to focusing on maximising risk and seeking exciting adventures again. It’s been fun renovating the house but that project is nearly over (garden permitting), so my focus is turning back to a larger “misogi” for this year.

26 Years Old

hello@jamesjarvis.io (James Jarvis) — Mon, 23 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

From the 23rd June 2024 to 23rd June 2025.

I’m already in China when I kick this year off, finishing off another grand tour of new cities with Feiyang and her parents.

Heading back into another brilliant British summer I have a few small holidays and then it’s time for Penny and Owen’s wedding! A beautiful day and I have never been happier for my little sis.

This year I decided my goal would be to buy a property, as I was tired of not getting value for money from London landlords. I viewed dozens of places as I pondered between a central flat or suburby house, doer upper or turn key.

In August my grandads health took a severe turn for the worse, and he unfortunately passed away, surrounded by his loved ones. With all my grandparents now gone I’m saddened to lose another cockney voice from the streets.

The first of my school friends got married! I travelled up with the same lads I did DofE with almost a decade ago, but budgets and time keep us apart now. Weeks later one of my best mates moves to Australia in search of a better life.

I finally move in to my first house! Kicking off months of constant daily improvements, as my wonderful family and friends all chip in to help the DIY renovation efforts. Over the Christmas break Feiyang heads back to China while I replace all the radiators and floors in the house, closely followed by a whole kitchen.

My hardworking aunty finally retires, whilst I have a little think and decide its time for me to change jobs. Feiyang and I take a few weeks out to travel South Korea and a bit more of China. I’ve joined the local tennis club, but you wouldn’t have known if you saw me play!

25 Years Old

hello@jamesjarvis.io (James Jarvis) — Sun, 23 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0000

From 23rd June 2023 to 23rd June 2024.

The year I went to Asia.

I start off the year in “summer” mode, relaxed at work and enjoying time with my (now retired) parents, family and friends, I’m on back to back holidays for almost a month!

I then set off on one of my most fun challenges to date: the “mini sabbatical”, I spend almost a third of the year living in Singapore where I am visited by Zak, Konrad and my parents (on their own cruise trip), meet some wonderful colleagues, catch back up with Tim, and watch formula one for the first time! I also get to meet Feiyang’s family on a month long tour of China, then embark on a 3 week solo trip around south east Asia as I race to catch my flight back to London from Singapore.

I come back to London for winter, and I seemingly forget how to socialise, I construe “drink less alcohol” with “hang out less”, I hope to change this. On the other hand, I’ve picked up running, reading and now writing as a hobby, all of which I’ve thoroughly enjoyed and made good progress with.

I planned to make 2024 the year I bought my first property, but 4 months into the search and I have struggled. I believe the market is overvalued by about 30% but the market ignores my mumbles of frustration and continues to climb further out of reach.

I became a “senior” software engineer at the company I continue to learn something new from every day. I recall the confusion I had when people told me to go out and celebrate this milestone, 20% of the way through my career. I rename this “senior slave”, as I have not yet figured out a way to diversify my income.

I go to Ireland to dabble with saunas+sea swimming, I go to Seattle to “hike”, and before you know it I’m back in China enjoying hot pot with Feiyang’s parents.

As I enter this next quarter of a century, I’m finding my own priorities, but leaving room for the occasional bit of adventure. I hope more fun challenges await!

24 Years Old

hello@jamesjarvis.io (James Jarvis) — Fri, 23 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +0000

From 23rd June 2022 to 23rd June 2023.

This year has been an unfortunate reset.

Coming back from “the Italian trip”, I am forced to scrap my beloved but troublesome Z4. However I continue to enjoy a wonderful summer, I take Feiyang camping, we try surfing, I go to Wimbledon, Northern Ireland, several weddings, long walks and a bit of kayaking.

November was the hardest month to date. I’m crashed into on the way to a holiday with Feiyang, totalling my car. I lose my best friend, Nan. Things are put back into perspective. We have a quieter Christmas.

I set goals for 2023, to learn, and to travel. I make an attempt to pick up Mandarin, I set a new personal reading record, and put into motion plans to spend some time out of work. I move out of my flat and wish Konrad all the best at Google. My cousin and her wife got married in Scotland!

Around this point, my Grandad’s Dementia has worsened to the point where we move him into a care home and my parents tackle selling both his and my Nans houses. Our adoring but ailing dog, Dusta, has to be put down.

However, the year ends on a high with summer back in full swing! Dad retires just in time for us to spend mine and my sister’s birthday on a boat in the Norfolk Broads!

My Mum has been our rock. Feiyang has been there for everything. I wish my parents the best start to their happy retirement. Stay tuned!

23 Years Old

hello@jamesjarvis.io (James Jarvis) — Thu, 23 Jun 2022 00:00:00 +0000

From 23rd June 2021 to 23rd June 2022.

As the world slowly started to shake off the pandemic I decided to move to London with Konrad. Then I immediately got COVID facepalm.

Living in my favourite city in the world for a whole year has been a lot of fun (and v expensive), making some new friends and getting used to a bit more of a settled down lifestyle, although it is a bit scary!

I’ve continued with my hobby of making and breaking lots of software, sailed on the Thames, hiked Snowdonia, and met Feiyang!

My love-hate relationship with the BMW has continued, from having to almost scrap it in November to driving it 3000 miles around Europe in June; I finally drove to the Italian lakes!

22 Years Old

hello@jamesjarvis.io (James Jarvis) — Wed, 23 Jun 2021 00:00:00 +0000

From 23rd June 2020 to 23rd June 2021.

First year in full time work (at a smol company called ThoughtMachine) and first year I missed a few days filming!

With most of my life + lifestyle banned under pandemic restrictions it’s been a bit quieter than I would have liked, and there’s been some tough times, but things will change!

Kicked off this year climbing a mountain, exploring Cornwall, spending a lot of time sat behind a computer, had a wonderful Christmas with the family, walked dozens of kilometres hanging out with my dad, and then walked 42k in one day with Sam!

I built a dashboard, link scraper and a few other things, shaved my head, impulse bought an old bmw as a semi fixer-upper, travelled to Scotland the day after lockdowns started to lift and ended the year starting to see people again!

21 Years Old

hello@jamesjarvis.io (James Jarvis) — Tue, 23 Jun 2020 00:00:00 +0000

From 23rd June 2019 to 23rd June 2020.

Waved goodbye to Cali, met the fam in Florida. Quick catch ups with the friends and family I haven’t seen for a year then straight into the final part of my degree. Joined Kayaking this time, got to know some lovely people and even travel to Wales with them! Kept working part time with my Cisco team throughout uni, and tinkering in my free time. Took mum to Morocco, met some friends in Barcelona, and had a weekend in Amsterdam with Maj and Sam just a few days before the Coronavirus lockdown!

Lockdown meant I had to slow down a bit, enjoy time with the family and celebrate mine and my sister’s birthday at home for the first time in 4 years.

20 Years Old

hello@jamesjarvis.io (James Jarvis) — Sun, 23 Jun 2019 00:00:00 +0000

From 23rd June 2018 to 23rd June 2019.

I moved to California for a year to pursue my dreams of Silicon Valley. Travelled by car more than I have ever before, became a much better developer, became somewhat American and much more independant.

Made some incredible memories and international friends this year, but the pace isn’t slowing down any time soon!

19 Years Old

hello@jamesjarvis.io (James Jarvis) — Sat, 23 Jun 2018 00:00:00 +0000

From 23rd June 2017 to 23rd June 2018.

My second year of university, I was on the committee of both sailing and travel societies, I got some exciting job offers, ended a relationship and I said some sad goodbyes before my year in California!

Had an amazing year, and I’ve loved documenting it like this. I can’t wait to find out what the next year (and this 3rd decade of life) has for me!

18 Years Old

hello@jamesjarvis.io (James Jarvis) — Fri, 23 Jun 2017 00:00:00 +0000

From 23rd June 2016 to 23rd June 2017.

I didn’t manage to film every day, but I’m so glad I started this, and I don’t plan on stopping any time soon.