Links

Naz Hamid gathers some perspectives on his birthday. Resonating this morning is “opt for joy, delight, or energy.”

Erica Heinz shares perspective on why low-fidelity is a better approach for product development. In some sense, this is a great approach for any notion...

“If you can't be a good example, at least try to become an interesting cautionary tale.” Merlin moves his wisdom but keeps adding to it. Re-linking as I’m writing a list to my future self (WIP).

Dan Sinker wrote about trying. He’s now made a patch to remind himself to do so.

Shaun Usher (Letters of Note) started this new project in January. My first visit was this excellent entry about science and art by Raymond Chandler.

Lynn Fisher outlines a dream job. / via Guy

Justin Duke made a deal with his partner “to celebrate things we’re particularly proud of with a bottle of Veuve Clicquot.” And then he documents each moment. I really love this idea. (Plus also? There’s an RSS feed.)

Brad Montague made a flyer with a cat. It’s invitation to step out and do something for someone else (and available to download and print).

That sweet spot in the middle. / via Rachel

SwissMiss had a birthday, and she kicked it off with intent and goals and fortitude. Also of note, her call to find ways to celebrate her 50th: The responses are gold.

Brandon Schaefer shares some great snippets that inspire reading the full NYTimes interview.

I nodded all along the cases that Derek Powazek presents and concludes. “Online communities are bars and we should admit that and start building the diverse, engaging, and safe gathering places we deserve.”

The sentiments here apply to so many different practices. Austin’s thoughts from 2 years ago hold up well. Nice to revisit, thanks to Michael Rill

Ralph Hammer suggests changing your mood space to create options. Couldn’t hurt eh?

Five-part series designed to ignite greater awareness of mental health issues at home and at work by Suzanne Moll and Eddie Brouse, edited by Cameron Moll

"You’ve created something – a drawing, a layout, a video, a piece of code, or a blog post – and after you’re more or less done, you pause and you look at it. And you don’t like it." Mattias Ott bridges this thinking with wisdom from Lynda Barry

Motivation in the thread.

A more fine-grained way of thinking about the year in two week sekki. We're at “Drops of dew on grass” at the moment. More insight from Ross Zurowski / via Rachel

Appreciate these reminders gleaned from Steve Jobs - 1.) Zoom Out 2.) Focus In 3.) Disconnect

music, singing, dancing, acting, drawing, painting, sculpting, poetry, fiction, essays, reportage, no matter how well or badly, not to get money and fame, but to experience becoming, to find out what’s inside you, to make your soul grow.

A touching thread and moving last words / via SwissMiss

This journey map captures a year of highs and lows in 2020, part of a workshop with Eugene Eric Kim.

The list of ”10 things I wish every design student knew“ by Cameron Moll holds up incredibly well over time, but also? Works for every profession.

One way to gauge participation is to ask this question. Thing is? I'd invariably say yes to more if it meant I could cancel what was already planned.

Advice to young, mid or late career artists. Many favorites but "Learn how to advocate for yourself." from Joaquina Kalukango is a standout this morning.

A challenge to achieve, but these four steps feel solid / via smartpeopleiknow

A cogent perspective from Roxanne Gay

Touching reader-submitted stories of love with no more than 100 words. This NYT series has been going for a while. Just learned of it thanks to Rachel on the left.

An enlightening Twitter thread about how Bill Grundfest cultivated comedians in Greenwich Village / via SwissMiss

Lots of links to this piece by Paul Ford for good reason: the payoff at the end is inspiring when we consider experiences we hope to achieve when buying stuff.

Dan Sinker writes about finding light in the darkness of a pandemic, and the timeless joy of a Playhouse

I very much enjoyed sitting at the kitchen counter while the Thanksgiving meal cooked, filling out this little number by Austin Kleon.

I love Austin Kleon's train of thought about putting space in-between things. I've long felt this way about books, imagining the next chapter as I fall asleep, but this is a whole other level.

Simon Collison collects links and pulls (an excellent) quote from an interview with Thom Yorke and Stanley Donwood as they discuss the visual language of Radiohead's album art over the years.

Whenever you meet someone new, ask them what they're most excited about right now. Everyone interesting is excited about something right now, and they'd probably love to tell you about it. (And many more!)

"24hrs after a traumatic event, or as soon as you are safe, play Tetris. It SIGNIFICANTLY reduces likelihood of intrusive memories." A fascinating thread with links.

And three other related questions. A dense, concise and lovely reply. / via Daring Fireball

9 panels about growing by Grant Snider / via my friend Shannon

"Addressing the harm wrought by dramatically restructuring human communication of the span of a decade, with no aim other than selling ads." Of all the challenges we face? This one is so very important to address.

Ground yourself in the present moment to calm down

From the NY Times: "As pandemic restrictions begin to ease, we all have the opportunity to rethink what life looks like going forward. Our 10-day Fresh Start Challenge will share daily tips for mindful living, stronger connections and healthy habits."

Grab some pen and paper and take 24 minutes. Started my day doing this exercise by Vishen Lakhiani. to consider life experiences, growth and contribution. A powerful draft to consider the future. (Thanks Emily)

"When you’re writing, you’re trying to find out something which you don’t know." - James Baldwin. This and more ruminations on writing by the late author. / via @voicesandnoises

"People don't open up your Notes app and look through your notes. It's sacred." this and lots more good thinking about the notes app / via Om Malik

"It can be a very minor thing, and it can be a major thing. But you always have to have something you’re looking forward to next."

It's not a permanent state of enthusiasm, it's an actual practice

Actor Sheila Hancock on what a year in lockdown has been like for her and why she thinks we need a revolution.

Among the solid list of reasons, it clarifies your thinking. / via Swiss-Miss

I stumbled on to this article thanks to Rachel, but enjoyed clicking all around IDEO's site.

I really love this. Martyn Davies has a user manual on how he likes to work. There are too many choice lines to share. The concept is not unique, but it is solid and I aspire to write my own README. / via Rachel Kwon

Try getting into Garfield variants: remixes of the original strips that testify to the internet’s limitless invention. Upon recommendation by Thor

"What if we were wrong this whole time? Wrong in thinking that joy only happens at the end?"

A film by Nicholas Maher. A worthwhile 10 minutes.

A lovely animation indeed. "Don't live in the grand scheme of things"

and navigating toomuchery. 45 seconds well spent!

Jack Cheng’s weekly letter on creative work, technology, and the art of living.

I'm mad about scheduled and looping reminders, but these ideas elevate the notion / via Andy Baio

Consistently shipping the work, despite the world’s reaction, despite the nascent nature of our skill, despite the doubts. /via Swiss-Miss

Says them

I try and herald the positive, but I also struggle with combatting the wicked. This is a good frame of reference I should invoke when I forget.