Every post from OldDogZeroTricks in one place – the raw, the real, and the stuff we rarely admit out loud. This is the blog.
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March 19, 2026Don’t Throw in the Towel!
If everything has gone wrong and life feels like more than you can handle right now, don’t throw in the towel. Sometimes the strongest thing you can do isn’t taking action – it’s just sticking around.CONTINUE READING -
March 3, 2026Are You Slowing Down as You Get Older? (And Why It Feels Good)
I walked to 7-Eleven twice in one hour, just for the coffee. A few years ago, that would have seemed like inefficient time management. Today, it was a precious, unhurried choice. Are you noticing your need to rush starting to ease?CONTINUE READING -
February 25, 2026My Struggle with Using AI for Blogging
We are constantly told that AI is the ultimate shortcut for content creation. But what happens when you actually want your writing to sound like you? Here is a look at the addictive promise of AI, and the glaring “AI tells” to avoid.CONTINUE READING -
March 20, 2026How Small Daily Anchors Keep Us Steady (All you Need is One)
After a major life change, the big picture is often too overwhelming to look at. Here is how finding just one simple daily anchor can keep you steady when everything else feels chaotic.CONTINUE READING -
March 4, 2026When Nothing Else Works, Put On Music
When overthinking kicks in and your mood drops, you’ve probably tried scrolling, snacking, or analyzing your way out of it. Here’s my simple reminder to just turn up some music. I’ve added a current Spotify playlist, too.CONTINUE READING -
February 9, 2026Why We Keep Chasing What Doesn’t Fit
Have you ever caught yourself working toward a job, a goal, or a relationship that feels off? I’ve spent years watching myself chasing the wrong things just because I thought I “should.” Here is what I’m learning about why we do this.CONTINUE READING -
February 11, 2026How Pain Prepares You to Help Others
You don’t need a degree to help someone through grief. You just need to have survived it yourself. Why your struggles are actually your best qualification for connecting with others.CONTINUE READING -
January 25, 2026When Your Mission Ends: Finding Purpose After Loss (人生の目的)
In feudal Japan, a samurai without a master became a ronin. If you feel lost after a major life change, this ancient mindset can help you rebuild.CONTINUE READING -
January 20, 2026The Quiet Panic of Not Having Enough Money
I have lived out of convenience stores for 20 years. I have less, but I owe nothing. This is a look at the quiet dignity of living tight, without the crushing weight of modern debt.CONTINUE READING -
January 12, 2026When Did Work Get Put on a Pedestal? (And What Happens When You Take It Down)
Four days off over New Year taught me something that years of working never did. Regulating your schedule might matter more to your happiness than your salary or success.CONTINUE READING -
January 10, 2026Be Kind to Others (Be Kind to Yourself)
I warned a stranger about his untied shoelaces outside a 7-Eleven today. That tiny interaction lifted my mood more than I expected on a freezing winter morning.CONTINUE READING -
January 3, 2026A Year Without Resolutions (But Not Without Direction)
If January 1st felt more like pressure than a fresh start, consider skipping the big goals. See why small, daily steps are enough to keep you moving forward.CONTINUE READING -
January 1, 2026Living Abroad vs Returning Home: Belonging, Duty, and the Niken
I am weighing up a return to the UK to care for my father. But a clash over a motorcycle reminded me of the difference between going home and going backwards.CONTINUE READING -
December 23, 2025It’s Important To Get Out Of Your Own Head
We spend so much time rushing that our thoughts get trapped in a loop. See why a simple change of scenery is often the only way to break the spell.CONTINUE READING -
January 27, 2026When Does Gossip Cross the Line? (And Why We Love It Anyway)
A student saw me walking with a female friend and called my boss to report a secret romance. Here is why innocent friendships still trigger outdated assumptions.CONTINUE READING