harsh has been a surprising accountability watchdog for forging and keeping my habits. What started out as a simple log parser has turned into an indispensable tool for helping me get longer range goals done in life. Some simple changes have made it even better for longer term tracking.
One of the goals I’m most proud of this year was certifying as an Emergency Medical Responder. It was hard, it was challenging, and I learned a ridonkulous amount. Post-training, I feel vastly more confident in my ability to handle things going sideways. If you don’t know First Aid, I highly recommend making it a 2026 goal for yourself.
With far too many books over-marketed and over-hyped, making the most of your precious reading time is getting harder. Here’s what I read in 2025 with some suggestions on definite reads for you as well as what to avoid.
Getting real things done is hard. Inspiration versus grind can be fleeting. Use the technique of counting coup on achievements to keep yourself reminded of how awesome you really are and everything you’ve managed to do.
Defend your reading time investments. Things off my 2024 reads you should definitely read as well as some perhaps suggestions and things to avoid. The TLDR are these top 5:
(Though you should read the post for the whys).
We all set goals. Few reading this lack aspiration. But graveyards full of New Year’s Resolutions show there’s a deep disconnect between people setting and accomplishing goals.
So, how do you set goals that are actually going to move you forward and then get them done? Particularly, how do you work on the long arc goals that are the really satisfying ones that are accomplished over years? How do you even scan for a future in which you’ll very likely be a different person than the one you are now? And how do you And also, avoid the productivity-pr0n and hustle-culture that just keeps you busy all the time but effectively running in place?
With COVID restrictions lifting, I’ve been traveling a lot since October. That, plus a recent post by Dutel inspired me to take a look how my setup has changed. Compare and contrast with my Travel Happy, Travel Light post from back in 2018. I was also interested to see how much actually has changed after 18 months sidelined and as I look towards being more remote work-wise.
First off: I travel with just one carry-on bag for virtually all travel. This is the way. If you are someone that simply cannot get on a plane without your checked 30kg of luggage, this post is probably not for you.
The things you own end up owning you.
— Tyler Durden. Fight Cub.
Moving house is weird. Moving countries even weirder. Why? I think it’s the Tyranny of Stuff. Modern life accumulates possessions at a prodigious rate despite how minimalist you’re trying to make it. We live in an age of material abundance unimaginable even 100 years ago to our ancestors.
One thing I couldn’t believe packing up SG was the sheer amount of things I’d managed to accumulate in a short two years in the new house — even after throwing away about half of everything I owned when I moved-in. It was strange, how weirdly anxious moving out felt deciding on holding and getting rid of stuff. It was trickier than (expensively) storing it. Loss aversion kicked in hard, and I found myself one night sitting going round in mental circles trying to figure out what should stay and what should go. For many things, I really didn’t care about them but was somehow worried about discarding for the fact I might need them in some unforeseen future.
Having fewer, better things will likely make you happier. “The things you own, end up owning you.”. Only invest in things you spend a lot of time with and where money invested will make a quality of life difference.
This is my “would buy again” list of items I’d immediately replace if needed.
(nb: I’m not receiving sponsorship or affiliate revenue for any of these things, just genuinely wanted to recommend them to people who might need them.)
I’ve had a theory of happiness since my twenties.
I’ve often wished I’d listen to it more since it’s powered the really good parts and decisions in my life. And strangely, I’ve found it holds for most people, in most places, I’ve been. And I’ve been around.
I don’t talk about it much, because I’ve often thought it’s obvious, even silly. But it’s been surprisingly transformative for people I’ve told about it who nudged their lives in its direction.