The Weekly Review 05-26

The Weekly Scribble

“Sticking to good habits can be hard work, and mistakes are part of the progress. Don’t declare failure simply because you messed up or because you’re having trouble reaching your goals. Instead, use your mistakes as opportunities to grow stronger and become better.” - Amy Morin

The theme this week is mostly around habits and setting goals. It is not about ‘new year, new me’ but a reflection on approaching habits differently. I’m the worst for maintaining intentions. However, keeping it simple this year gives me great optimism. 

Alas! Bear for blogging

I've recently transitioned to using the Bear Notes app for my blogging and it's been a game changer. As a markdown editor, Bear Notes offers excellent export features which allow me to write in markdown within focus mode, add links and then effortlessly copy the content as rich text into my blog on Scribbles. This has not only enhanced my writing but also streamlined the process of transferring content from Bear Notes to Scribbles. I stop writing if I feel some kind of friction in the process.

The app's user interface is a delight and its simplicity is both refreshing and effective. Additionally, its affordability makes Bear Notes an outstanding tool. £29.99 per year is accessible for many. Another perk is its availability across different devices—I can access it on my iPhone, MacBook Air and Lenovo tablet (via a web browser). While it currently lacks stylus support on the tablet, I'm hopeful for future updates that might include this feature, as it would further enhance its utility.
A small hurdle I've encountered is the need to use Apple shortcuts to import blogging templates into the Notes app. However, I've mitigated this by setting up Apple Notes shortcuts pinned directly to my desktop, streamlining the process. By clicking on the template shortcut, Bear automatically opens and imports all necessary blog information. I can then label the note and organize it with tags in my blog drafts folder, ensuring everything is efficiently arranged.
This new process promises to make my blogging life much easier, and I couldn't be more pleased with the improvements I've experienced so far.

Exploring new habits for 2026

At the beginning of 2026, I embarked on creating five new habits: taking daily supplements, meditating for 10 minutes, completing strengthening exercises like 20 press-ups and a one-minute plank, journaling and reading for 30 minutes each day. Using the TickTick Task Manager app, I successfully tracked and completed these habits without any issues throughout the first month. Keeping my tasks simple and achievable has been key to my success. They were my escape from the daily grind and endless responsibilities I endure.

Inspired by James Clear's book 'Atomic Habits', I learned that setting achievable goals in shorter timeframes, like every three months, is more effective than aiming for a year. This approach prevents losing motivation and helps maintain momentum. I am certainly prone to giving up easily. By periodically reviewing my habits every three months, I have a clearer path forward. Proudly, this method has helped me stay committed and reach my goals.

Improving my bedtime habit

Lately, I've noticed a problematic trend in my daily routine: my bedtime is getting progressively later. Over the past two months, this habit of going to bed late has begun to affect my overall well-being, impacting my motivation, concentration, and health. 
Even though striving to go to bed earlier isn't an official habit I've set for myself, it's becoming increasingly clear that I need to make a concerted effort to change this. Prioritising an earlier bedtime could greatly enhance my productivity, improve my mental and physical health. Realising the importance of sleep, I’m committed to establishing a more consistent and healthier sleep schedule.

The Media Shelf

• Intentional by Chris Bailey. Choose purpose, ditch distraction, craft deliberate days, thrive authentically daily. He is known as the King of Productivity. The first book I read of his was called Hyper Focus.

The Link Log

• Being Minimalist by Joshua Becker - I forgot how insightful Joshua’s posts were on minimalism. I recommend his article on 15 Reasons Minimalism Is Better Than Buying Stuff You Don’t Need and What It Means to Live Intentionally (And Why It Changes Everything).

  
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As always, thank you so much for reading. The Weekly Review is simply a place to gather thoughts, ideas, links, and recommendations — the kind of things I would have once shared on social media.
Mark