Matthew Lang avatar

Matthew Lang

Family guy and web developer

Planning for the month ahead is enough for me

It is that time of year when many are drawing up changes and plans for the year ahead. A new year brings the opportunity to start over and improve again.

Individually, I’m just planning for the month ahead. Planning to work towards goals for the year is too big a step for me and one I usually fail on. Sure, I’ll list what I would like to do in the new year, but these are not resolutions that I must complete. They’re more like things I would like to do, and that’s enough for me.

Planning a month at a time means I can adapt over the year and change tracks if needed. If things aren’t working out, I can switch up my plan for the month ahead. No big commitment means that I can stay flexible.

Wee yin has started building his A-Frame Cabin set from Lego. I’m just a smidge jealous that he’ll get to do this one all by himself.

A child is assembling a Lego set at a table in a room with framed pictures on the wall.

Did earlier versions of the Unread app for macOS and iOS allow users to change the font? I’m sure I remember earlier versions of this app being able to do this, but I don’t see the setting anywhere.

My quarterly Field Notes subscription arrived today. This “Vintage” edition is rather regal, with a deep red cover and gold ink.

As always, my wife quickly nabbed the Field Notes pen for herself. She keeps a little stash of them for work. 🙂

Several Field Notes memo books featuring vintage designs are placed on a wooden surface.

Does it still feel like Christmas?

My wife mentioned that our oldest was talking to her in the car, and he said that it didn’t feel like Christmas.

I get that he’s older, practically a man, but even in my late teens and twenties and before my wife and I started our family, Christmas always felt like Christmas. It’s a chance to indulge, purchase gifts for loved ones, visit the Christmas markets, watch Christmas movies at home, or even go to the cinema and see the latest blockbuster release. My wife and I have always enjoyed Christmas, and there’s not been a year where we’ve had a less-than-enjoyable Christmas.

My wife and I agree with our oldest. This year, it doesn’t feel like Christmas. The tree is up, we’ve got our usual decorations up, and we’re looking forward to a few days of chilling at home. However, something is missing this year, and we can’t quite put our finger on what it is.

I’m still looking forward to Christmas day, and I’m sure it will be a great day, but the build-up to it hasn’t been the same. I’m hoping it’s just a one-off this year.