Can't please them all
Did a routine inspection, gave a thumbs up and explained everything clearly to the client — still got a thumbs-down back from the client. Oh well, can’t please everyone.
What keeps us going
I met a 99-year-old client who was full of energy, and it got me thinking — maybe the secret to a long life isn’t about what we do, but that we keep doing what we love.
It’s not wrong, it’s life
Life rarely gives us a week without challenges — and that’s not wrong. Accepting the ups and downs without judgment can make things a little easier to handle.
I want a blog restart
Thinking about restarting my blog — new name, new domain. Just sharing some thoughts (again) to clear my head and figure out what’s next.
Beginner's mind
Some thoughts on how a beginner’s mind can outsmart twenty years of experience. Sometimes, not knowing is exactly what we need.
Finding flavor in life
A customer told me he quit his high-paying job because it just wasn’t worth it anymore. It got me thinking about the choices we make — and how true contentment rarely comes from titles or paychecks, but from something much simpler.
Overthinkers non-anonymous
Yesterday, a blog identity crisis. Today, all clear thanks to writing it out and hearing from others who’ve been there too. Overthinking is more fun when you’re not doing it alone.
Blog identity crisis — again
Just me, once again, trying to figure out how to balance micro posts and long-form writing. No big revelations, just some honest thoughts about what feels right (and what doesn’t) when it comes to blogging.
The lost art of listening
I’ve been thinking about how rare good listening has become. Here’s why being a listener matters to me, and why I think it’s something we could all use a bit more of.
Re: Starting without a plan
Thoughts on why I love seeing new blogs pop up, and how blogging can be both a creative outlet and a way to connect with others.
Dancing with ghosts
A dreamy dive into Kate Bush’s Wuthering Heights — ghostly vocals, red dresses, and a story that’s kind of like Baby Reindeer on steroids. Music, obsession, and a little bit of awkward dancing.
The present
Reflecting on past, future, and the uncertainty of life, I realize the most important part isn’t behind or ahead of us. It’s the present.
A lifetime of lessons
I recently overheard a conversation where someone proudly shared a photo of their grandchildren. The lighthearted response was a joke about the grandchildren doing the same in reverse: “Look, this is my grandmother. Isn’t she cute? Guess what she said today?” At first, it made me smile — but the thought lingered and slowly turned into a rather sad reflection. In some cultures, this scenario wouldn’t be far-fetched at all. Older people are deeply respected and revered, seen as keepers of wisdom and invaluable life experience.
Making Micro.blog more colorful
I’ve put together a Micro.blog Color Palettes page to go along with the Micro.blog Styles collection. You don’t have to use Micro.blog to enjoy the palettes, of course. Just rename the variables to match your own theme (you might need to do that even if you’re on Micro.blog). I’m currently using the mnml theme with the Swedish Sunshine palette. Each palette comes with styles for both light and dark mode. To use one in your Micro.
Setbacks with a purpose
I was recently listening to a thoughtful interview with the wonderful Finnish singer Arja Saijonmaa. The conversation touched on something we can all relate to — life’s inevitable setbacks. She said something that really stayed with me. That every difficulty, no matter how overwhelming it might feel in the moment, often turns out to have a hidden purpose when we look back. What seems like a dead end can, with time, reveal itself to be a necessary detour — something that led us somewhere we never would have gone otherwise.
Clarity over chaos
This day started out with a bit of a challenge… The first client I visited had a (false) preconception about why I was there. I tried to explain, but she wouldn’t have it. Luckily, I’ve learned the value of a firm no. So I told her — it’s either my way or no way at all. I wouldn’t say we got into an argument, but we came pretty close. Anyway, I eventually got the chance to do what I was actually there to do.
A place that feels like elsewhere
Right now, I’m sitting at The International Bar. It’s just around the corner from where I live. Every now and then, I drop by for a beer or two. I like the atmosphere. The staff is super friendly, and I often bump into some regulars. Like one guy — an aspiring author from Germany. We usually chat a bit about reading, writing, and whatever’s going on in the world. Always a good vibe!
The perfection myth
I just finished reading Creativity, Inc. by Ed Catmull. I loved it! So interesting and inspiring. One thing Ed said that really stuck with me (among many others) was when he talked about sharing your work with others. He said: Don’t wait for things to be perfect before you share them with others. Show early and show often. It’ll be pretty when we get there, but it won’t be pretty along the way — and that’s as it should be.
Micro.blog blogroll styles
Micro.blog has a neat built-in feature for creating a blogroll. It seems like quite a few people have missed this little gem — maybe because it’s kind of “hidden” under Design → Edit Recommendations. If you’re using Micro.blog, I highly recommend giving it a go. The recommendations can then be accessed by anyone through a Recommends [number of] blogs link on your profile (here’s mine). There’s also a Blogroll shortcode plug-in that lets you embed the list on any page you like.
Finding your voice — and keeping it
There’s one challenge most bloggers face: discovering their unique voice. And honestly, the only real way to find it is to just keep blogging. With a bit of luck (and a lot of writing), we’ll get there eventually. But keeping that voice alive? That can be just as tricky. It’s easy to get distracted by the glow of upvote buttons and traffic stats. That’s one of the reasons I really like the no likes, no stats approach.