From the Desk

From the Desk explores themes of personal growth, the nuances of arts and culture, spirituality, and reflections on life's milestones such as fatherhood and moving. It delves into authenticity, the value of experiences over materialism, and offers introspective takes on literature, music, and lifestyle choices.

Personal Growth Arts and Culture Spirituality Literature Music Lifestyle Family and Parenting Consumerism Travel and Adventure

The hottest Substack posts of From the Desk

And their main takeaways

2023 Year in Books

18 implied HN points • 20 Dec 23
📚 Literature Fiction Non-fiction Books Reading Authors
  1. The author read 37 books in 2023, reflecting on the struggle to find time for focused reading in the age of distractions.
  2. There are book recommendations categorized as 'Must Reads', 'Worth It', and 'Skip It', providing insights and reviews for a variety of fiction and non-fiction titles.
  3. The act of reading is viewed as a commitment to deeper thinking and nuance, contrasting with the instant gratification of social platforms.

An Ode to Great Gear

18 implied HN points • 26 Sep 23
🪑 Design Philosophy Acquisition Quality Usability
  1. Gear is an integral part of our lives and can be nostalgic, tied to experiences and memories.
  2. Gear enthusiasts have philosophies in acquiring gear, like brand loyalty or minimalism.
  3. Having a 'Point of Unrecognized Satisfaction' helps assess optimal spending on gear based on usability.

On Learning That I'm No Longer Cool

45 implied HN points • 07 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Youth
  1. Coolness is often associated with youth, and as one gets older, it becomes more challenging to maintain
  2. Trying too hard to be cool is uncool - authenticity is valued over pretending to fit in
  3. Embracing uncool interests and passions can bring a sense of freedom and self-acceptance

Three Observations about Fatherhood

18 implied HN points • 06 Jun 23
  1. Fatherhood may not alter priorities as expected, but can lead to personal growth in various areas.
  2. Fatherhood requires relaxing control and allowing children to dictate their behavior to an extent.
  3. Being a father brings inexplicable joy, despite the challenges it presents.
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Listening to Every Taylor Swift Album

1 HN point • 24 Oct 23
🎶 Music Album Reviews
  1. Listening to every Taylor Swift album provides insights into her evolving style and artistry.
  2. Some albums received mixed reactions, from feeling shouty to impressive consistency.
  3. The experience of becoming a Swiftie involves understanding her musical journey and cultural impact.

Rethinking Authenticity

2 HN points • 04 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Authenticity Psychology Self-help Behavior Identity
  1. Authenticity has evolved over time from simply factual to a character trait that is now widely misunderstood and overused.
  2. Authenticity can be a paradox, as it relies on others to judge our authenticity, leading to a performance or craft in trying to be authentic.
  3. Being authentic is challenging because it requires navigating personal changes while others evaluate our authenticity, but it's essential to stay true to oneself amidst external influences.

How to Spend Your Money so Your Neighbors Know You’re Rich

2 HN points • 07 Feb 23
  1. Old Money and New Money have different spending habits and status symbols.
  2. The Scout Guide showcases luxury businesses to help the 'New Money' spend their wealth in a way that signals status.
  3. The advertisements in The Scout Guide reflect a certain persona and play on status anxieties to promote spending behavior.

The One Where We Move To Spokane, WA

0 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Beliefs Prayer
  1. The author and family moved from Maryland to Spokane, Washington following a prompting
  2. Making big life decisions involves seeking divine guidance and being open to subtle promptings
  3. Moving away from home can be a defining life experience that leads to self-discovery and new perspectives

Never Waste a New Year

0 implied HN points • 02 Jan 24
  1. Never waste a new year, make reflections and resolutions count.
  2. Family is important, cherish the moments and connections.
  3. Set goals in different areas of life - spiritual, physical, intellectual, and social - and strive to achieve them.

New Ways of Looking at Film and Fiction

0 implied HN points • 07 Mar 24
📚 Literature Fiction
  1. Fictional worlds in novels and films are just as important as traditional elements like plot and character, and authors put effort into world-building in various genres.
  2. Understanding elements like character structure, conventionality, completeness, connectedness, symbolic density, and psychological depth can deepen the appreciation of fiction.
  3. Different fiction works have unique combinations of these elements, such as high character structure in 'The Office' or low conventionality in 'No Country For Old Men', showcasing the diverse approaches in storytelling.