Are You Enough? Wanting More Without Feeling Less
It’s easy to notice what’s missing and overlook what we already bring to the table.
Have You Reinvented Yourself Without Realising It?
I didn’t set out to reinvent myself. I took an opportunity and learned something new.
Do You Like Having Something to Look Forward To?
Do you need a big adventure on the horizon, or just a quiet weekend ahead?
I Need Early Nights At This Age
I used to think early nights were boring. Now I notice when I skip them.
Surviving Japan’s Summer With No Air Conditioning
A sweaty field note from a hot tatami room: surviving Japan’s summer heat without air conditioning.
What Five AI‑Written Posts Think OldDogZeroTricks Is For
Five AIs wrote one post each. I review how well they fit this blog.
When You Feel Behind In Life (But Keep Showing Up Anyway) (by Perplexity)
When hard work doesn’t match outcomes, you’re not alone—and you’re not finished yet.
The Unglamorous Things That Actually Hold You Together (by Grok)
In midlife, the unglamorous, repetitive things often become the real things that hold everything together.
The Things I Hope I Stay Bad At (by Claude)
We feel guilty about hobbies we never got serious about. Maybe that’s the wrong instinct.
The Life You Keep Choosing (by ChatGPT)
An AI-written reflection on ordinary choices, repeated routines, and the life we keep returning to.
The Secret Joy of Being the Slowest Guy in the Lobby (by Gemini)
Trading frantic modern optimization for a quiet dark roast, the perimeter, and peace of mind.
The Thing You Do That Nobody Asked For
Some things don’t need to be useful or noticed to deserve a place in your life.
The Myth of the Dream Life (Or: Why I Smell Like Fertilizer)
The gap between the expat life people imagine and the one smelling of actual fertilizer.
When Invisibility Becomes Comfortable (Until Someone Really Looks)
Blending in feels comfortable, until you’re facing people who remember a younger version of you.
The Dignity of Making an Effort (And Finding Your Hard Reboot)
Tired muscles, a clearer head, and the satisfaction of having done something beyond thinking about it.
Don’t Throw in the Towel: The Honest Truth About Not Giving Up
You don’t have to fix your whole life today, or face the hardest parts alone.
When Does Devotion Become Obsession? (And How Would You Even Know?)
When you love what you’re doing, even a shower can start feeling like an interruption.
When to Talk About Pain and When to Keep Going
We talk things through in the farm truck. Then we get out and start working.
Is Everyone Real or Are Some People NPCs?
Some conversations feel like talking to a vending machine. You keep hoping for something back.
Can We Be Too Loyal? (When Habit Replaces Choice)
You’ve stayed loyal for years. Would you still choose it if you were starting today?
