My Past Self Telling Me To Start a Blog
Digging in the archives of my Google Keep notes:
From May 5, 2018:
Start a blog, because cool people have blogs. But don't do it for money or fame. Do it to write about things you like writing about, and if anyone reads it, that will be reward in itself.
Write about:
Unicycling
Complaints about society or myself
(My past self was a little bit performative about the concept of "being cool", but it was mostly in a silly joking way and more about inspiring myself to do interesting things with my time.)
From June 8, 2018:
When there's an interesting quote or passage or idea in a book you're reading, write about it (use those skills from all your English classes over the years) and maybe make a blog post about it! Who knows, maybe someone will be interested in your thoughts. But do pure thoughts. Okay, not #thoughtstream thoughts, as this is approaching, (well this style would be fine for a blogpost, if not excellent for displaying my personality) but don't flourish the writing - make it true to yourself.
I'm guessing the above note was inspired by this line from Never Eat Alone that I highlighted also on June 8, 2018:
Acting on an idea—whether it’s as small as writing a blog, or as big as creating a business—sends a shock wave out into the world that flows back even stronger, as others gain interest in your ideas and wish to add their own and new community all gathered around you, energized by your shared interest.
From June 3, 2018:
Things I could write about on a blog
- <redacted>
- <redacted> (eventually)
- juggling, unicycling
- programming
- China/Japan
- The physics of microwave doors
- Hour of code
- Book review
- Product reviews! Once your blog starts growing, you can start places for free stuff (eg filament)
- Electronics robot
(No, I'm not sure why physics of microwave doors is on this list.)
From June 6, 2020:
Blog name
Life flow
From January 2, 2021:
Argument for having a blog
"Reach out to like-minded people.... Having a public blog... with small amount of content expressing your thoughts and ideas is helpful [for meeting people]" https://www.scotthyoung.com/blog/2020/11/23/missing-foundation/
From December 11, 2024:
Blog name: Brian, Master of None
Above note expanded on October 23, 2025:
Brian's Corner
And finally, on December 6, 2025, the day before I started this Digital Garden and wrote my first post.
Digital Garden -- related to my ideas for blog / personal website / answer to my wondering about use of social media to share projects and interests and [engage?] and such
https://maggieappleton.com/garden-history
Found from this good video which has other great ideas too https://youtu.be/6fj-OJ6RcNQ