Another reason why I keep a web log: to help my future self.
Journal
Analysis Paralysis
Researching, curating, and storing information has become my excuse for not doing anything productive. It’s easier to learn than apply.
The Web Log
The site ChrisDenbow.com has been published in several iterations over the past twenty years. The domain name has been changed a few times in failed attempts to “rebrand” briefly but the heart and soul has remained true.
Twenty years.
Social media (web 2.0), in its infancy was new, exciting and we were teased by the next best website or service. What made these services valuable were the users. Contribute meaningful ideas, engage in eloquent discussions. Ignore the rest. Share. Share. Share.
One of the original opportunities that sprung out of all that was the personal weblog (web log). A weblog or blog is a listing of text, images, or other objects that are arranged in a chronological order that first started appearing in the late nineties. Blogs contain personal remarks about a topic, a personal ramble, or an update on the person’s life. Weblogs are also a personal journal.
My personal experience goes back to 1999. Back then I posted in plain text format through an FTP to a URL provided by my first ISP. I have missed all those acronyms. We were so technical and cool back then. Then converted to the new WordPress platform back in 2003.
Side note: I personally dislike the term “blog” preferring “web site” because of the negative connotations of others. “Oh, you’re a blogger then?”
Nowadays, like-minded people agree that the personal website is even more crucial than ever. Social media has morphed into corporate agendas, marketing, no personal control and privacy concerns.
We’ve rediscovered the old ways are the best ways if we want to avoid all those corporate agendas, marketing, privacy concerns and to take back control. Your own website, your own web address, your own email address, RSS, newsletters, text messaging. These tools are yours to use, not to be used against you. I’ve been doing that through this website. Fine, call it a web log if you want.
Self-publishing is what the World Wide Web used to be and the world wide web is worse without it. Can you appreciate the power and responsibilities we have to take advantage of these opportunities?
For most of its existence, chrisdenbow.website has been a public journal of experiences and insights for an audience of one. For myself. Then in the mid-2000’s it branched off and became moderately successful with local and regional audiences. And this was extremely beneficial in that I would post something and receive immediate feedback from peers. We talked, networked, shared and grew together as a result. But now, most have neglected this thanks to social media. First Twitter, then Facebook. No thanks. The internet has become worse once blogging declined and social media platforms increased their numbers.
This is a great time to rebuild the web in our image and to it’s maximized potential. It is time to embrace the idea again that everyone with access can share their ideas with the world.
Migration
After some frustrating technical issues with software, I have decided to transfer from a self-hosted server website to being fully hosted and supported by the WordPress platform.
I have exported all previous posts from old server and imported to the new server beautifully. Now I am just waiting for the domain name to be transferred over (up to seven days.)
Write better by living better
I won’t be buying books or software anymore until I implement all information I’ve hoarded
I love/hate finding bits of wisdom before I am supposed go to sleep.
9/9 Check-In
On 2/2 I began my year-long journey to create life long habits for myself and throw in some fun intentions as well. The plan is to check in every month to monitor my progress. How did I do since my last check-in on 8/8?
Nutrition & Training
The diet has continued to see some improvement in my weight loss goal. There have been some “slip-ups” but overall I am down 14 pounds with 28 pounds to hit my goal.
Yoga & Meditation
OM MG I am so far behind with this and I felt this the other day while stretching for a run.
Photography & Writing
- Photography- Took on a portrait session recently and it felt good to get behind the camera again. I had missed this more than I thought I would. Archives are still an ongoing process. PUSH ON BEFORE THE END OF YEAR.
- Writing- Blogging sporadically counts, right?
10/10
As always, I see some progress, see some room to do better, and hope that next month’s check-in will be better than the last!
Disappointment
Once again I have logged off from the work machine here in my home.
After taking a break, and eat some dinner, I sit back down in the same chair that I have been parked at for nine hours earlier in that day. But all the ideas I was scheming and looking forward to while I was working has disappeared.
Now what?
How do I begin anything creative for myself (?) because right now, again, I am struggling.
Reminders
- Read everyday
- Spend time with nature.
- Ask questions
- Never stop learning
- Don’t pay attention to what others think of you
- Do what interests you the most
- Study hard
- Teach others what you know
- Make mistakes and learn
- It’s okay to not know everything
8/8 Check-In
On 2/2 I began my year-long journey to create life long habits for myself and throw in some fun intentions as well. The plan is to check in every month to monitor my progress. How did I do since my last check-in on 7/7?
Nutrition & Training
The diet has continued to see some improvement on my weight loss goal. There have been some “slip-ups” but overall I am down 14 pounds with 28 pounds to hit my goal.
Since last month I have placed the gym membership on pause thanks to the global pandemic.
Yoga & Meditation
This discipline is lacking because it has been to convenient to roll out of bed 30m before I take my 15-step commute to my home office. Must to better!
Photography & Writing
- Photography- I haven’t touched the archives in three months. I think I burned myself out more than halfway through the project. Must get back on track.
- Writing- Send inspiration please.
The work-from-home situation is ongoing until further notice and this has affected my creativity. Last month I mentioned that I was searching for a new home office setup and I have found my solutions in a couple of desks, bookcase and leather chair. More on that later(?)
9/9
As always, I see some progress, see some room to do better, and hope that next month’s check-in will be better than the last!
Meditation Alternatives
“You need not meditate; just close your eyes and sleep or think about one of your fun moments in life.”
Is there an alternative for meditation besides sitting on a zafu, legs crossed and chanting “om?” Yes, there is.
Staring through the window
One of the benefits of working from my home office are the windows. Unfortunately it is next to an abandoned house but there are beautiful trees and all sorts of critters peeking in to watch me work. When I need to, I will stand up, lean on the window frame and stare out. This has many benefits:
- Your mind becomes calm
- Your concentration level increases
- You will connect with nature
- You will get instant relief from the digital world
Look at photos
The mobile photo gallery in our pockets is an excellent time to remember and reflect. I enjoy swiping and reliving these memories. I think about the people in these images with love and take the time to wish them well. When I have more time, I will bring out the photo albums because these old photographs bring me happiness and soothes me.
Nature Walk
Walking is one of the best way of relieving your stress and good for health, but what is a nature walk? Instead of walking on the same ground or park, try to walk in a different route every day. It gives you a new perspective of life for sure. Humans like to explore. The more you explore, the more you connect with yourself.
Most importantly, those thoughts that are going everywhere will slowly settle down, and you will soon enjoy the walk as your mind will think only one thing which is exploring a new route. It is why most creators can go for a quick walk and come back with a new idea.
Meditation does not mean it has to be done in a sitting position by closing your eyes and letting go off the thoughts. I enjoy changing it up and achieving similar results; a clear mind.