Cutting sugar, less bravado, walking to think, and a peanut butter trick

This is the fourth installment of the top five post each week. Thanks to my brother I’ve been re-reading my work each week and pulling out my favorite pieces to share.

• Sorting and choosing - This piece by Seth Godin has been in my brain all week. I love the idea of sorting data, moving things between piles, and using that as a means of moving forward. It’s tiny decisions that make the bigger decisions easier.
• Confusing ignorance and bravado - A while back my friend Lance shared about an encounter where the other person came off hot headed and used every possible trick to sell Lance on something, and ultimately demeaned him in the process. In hindsight it was clear that person was feeling insecure, and was trying to cover for their feelings by trying to cut someone else down. In this post I try to break through the bravado we use when we’re not sure if we fit in.
• Reducing sugar - On a recent trip I quickly decided to cut dessert out. I didn’t want to get sick while traveling. I talked about it on this short episode of Async, and weeks later I’m kind of astounded with how I feel. I’ve got less congestion, I feel less allergy-like symptoms, and am just feeling clearer headed overall. I’ve known for years how much sugar messed with the brain, but to see the effects in realtime is amazing.
• Peanut butter on both sides - A tiny trick I learned from a friend that’s changed how I pack peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.
• Walking and thinking - Some pieces sit with me after I’ve written them. Craig Mod is one of my favorite non-fiction writers, and his process of using walks to open creativity is something I aspire to. In this world of short-form content abuse it’s hard for us to pay attention for more than a few seconds—getting out into nature might be the cure.

Thanks for reading, and as always feel free to share feedback.