I am back to my usual writing space. It feels so nice to be here at this cafe. I smell coffee in every breath and I have just enough distractions to help me focus. My thoughts have space to roam, to wander off before they land on the page. I am happy :)

Today I’d like to share a bit about how my days are going lately. I wake up before six and exercise for an hour or two. Then I work on Ingenuity for a few hours, more research, less code. Evenings consist of an hour long walk, followed by a movie or tv show with my parents. Occasionally I read something from Paul Graham or listen to the first Harry Potter book. The day ends around nine with hundreds of thoughts entering and leaving my mind as I close my eyes.

I’ve been quite “busy” you can say…

I am loving this routine. Most of the time I feel calm and content. Though some times, I feel that I’m doing it wrong or that I’m missing something. Like I want to travel, to be more productive at work, to follow a proper diet, to read more, to go out more. Yet all I’m doing is living a slow, monotonous life…

Part of this stems from the desire to do better, from genuine boredom and the lure of adventure. This is good. But the other part is forged by societal expectations, internet of opinions, and general advice. This is bad.

Won’t quote anything particular but so many “shoulds” are organically imposed on us that we can’t help but question our choices. When every finger points to one path, you’re bound to feel uneasy choosing another.

Well something that saves me is that even if I’m feeling uncomfortable, even if I think I’m wrong, I cannot do what I don’t want to do. I simply can’t. I wrote an aphorism for it earlier:

I never did homework in school — “Why copy the answers when I can read from the book directly?” I got scolded, I got punished, but I could never do homework. Two and a half years at the gym and I never took protein because it didn’t feel right, no hard reason. I couldn’t get myself to learn much at college because “no real use”. I quit my job because “who am I building this for?”.

I can keep going. What seems like a weakness is actually a strength. It serves me. It shields me from external pressure and validation. It carries me to the things that are meant for me. It is difficult, but I’m a natural. I just can’t give in XD.

So I guess my sweet sweet routine is here to stay for a while :)

🤔 Makes me wonder

Paul draws similarities between programmers, painters, architects, composers, writers, etc. and places them all in the category of makers. Even though these people work in different fields, all of them are essentially creating new things. And you’d be surprised to know how much they have in common, from perspective to workflow.

💭 Aphorisms

I would love to know about your routine. What do you do when you’re not sleeping? Tell me via email or comment on the website.

I’ll catch you next week,
Aachman