The Banana Test: How to Stop Overthinking Every Small Decision
A man spent 20 minutes choosing bananas at Costco, and I realized I was him. This is the psychology of decision paralysis, and the simple rule that helped me stop optimizing everything.
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The Dogs Who Taught Me How to Live in the Present
My phone died mid-walk, and my dogs reminded me what productivity culture steals: your ability to be here. A story about grief, attention, and a 30-second reset that makes life feel like life again.
From Reflection to Small Actions: The One Rule That Makes 2026 Resolutions Stick (Part II)
Part II of my year-end reflection turns into a practical 2026 plan: one rule that keeps resolutions alive past January. Small habits, real life, “oops” plans, and a little social gravity, plus the reminder that productivity isn’t worth losing the people you’re doing it all for.
What Stays When Everything Else Goes: My 2025 Reflection - Part I
Three weeks into January 2025, I woke up and didn’t want to start the day. Not suicidal, just done. This is what stayed when everything else felt like it was slipping: small movement, honest words, gratitude without surrender, and the stubborn decision to keep going.
My 2025 Reading List: The Source Code Edition
In 2024 I optimized everything. In 2025 I started asking what I was optimizing for. Here are the books I kept orbiting as I debugged the source code.
Seasons of Life: Why You're Not Supposed to Have It All Figured Out
You’re not supposed to have life figured out by 25. Or 35. Or even 55. This piece explores the “seasons of life”, exploration, stability, disruption, reinvention, and why feeling lost doesn’t mean you’ve failed. You’re not late. You’re just in a season. The question is: what will you do with it?
“Hopefully Soon" Is Killing Your Dreams: How to Start When Life Feels Too Messy
We love to say “hopefully soon” about the projects that matter most. This piece is a gentle but honest push to start anyway, messy room, busy brain and all.
How I Built a Company AI Assistant in 4 Days (Without Being an AI Expert)
I accidentally became a company’s AI guru and built an on-premise AI assistant in just four days, without being an AI expert. Here’s the hilarious, painful, espresso-fueled story of how it happened, what broke, what worked, and why hard things don’t get easier… but definitely get doable.
5 Stoic Lessons from Marcus Aurelius That Actually Work
A modern look at five Stoic lessons from Marcus Aurelius that still work. From controlling the story in your head to accepting reality without surrendering to it, here’s how an ancient emperor can help you think clearer, live better, and stop spiraling over unread emails.
10 Classic Sci-Fi Audiobooks & Radio Dramas That Still Hit
Old radios, new earbuds. Here are 10 timeless sci-fi listens, vintage radio dramas and classic audiobooks that still hit hard, plus a modern bonus (Project Hail Mary). Expect links to Audible, BBC, LibriVox, and the Internet Archive.