against perfection, against overthinking, against the tyranny of having everything figured out before you begin
Summary
Starting over, but slower this time. Henrik Karlsson says embrace your oddities and keep shipping imperfect work. Simon Willison just wants everyone to have a little corner of the internet to call their own. This blog is me taking both of them up on it.
I've done this several times, with some iterations lasting longer than others, but I've found myself at a stage where I want to express myself a little more and think things out a little longer and more slowly, so here we are.
I'm using two posts as inspiration, giving you the flavor of what I hope to cook. (And for future me, to keep purpose close at hand.)
First up, this exhortation from Henrik Karlsson, a note I keep coming back to whenever I stall out on a draft. Two pieces of advice that stuck with me:
- Your personal oddities are the most compelling part of your voice, so let them through.
- Consistent, imperfect output beats occasional perfection.
The rest of it amounts to writing often and failing boldly. You don't need clarity going in. Just start. The voice shows up once you let it, or at least that's the bet I'm making.
Second, from the enviably prolific and always humble Simon Willison: My approach to running a link blog. This quote warms the heart, it does!
You should start a blog. Having your own little corner of the internet is good for the soul!
His main points are refreshingly earnest. Keep a personal archive of what you found and what you thought about it. Credit people, since the links start linking back. And each time, say something of your own, so the post outlives the URL.
It's the old internet, and it's great.