Reflecting on Three Months of The Iterative Life

Introduction

It’s hard to believe it has already been three months since I started this blog. When I first began writing, I envisioned this space as an outlet to share the small, iterative changes that have improved my life over time. The concept was largely inspired by Atomic Habits and James Clear's idea of getting 1% better every day. Initially, I thought this principle was limited to mastering specific disciplines, like learning the piano. But over time, I’ve come to realize it applies to so much more—to every facet of how we approach our lives. That realization sparked the idea of The Iterative Life.

I’ve been writing on and off for years, and one piece of advice that always comes up is to find a niche. For me, that has always been a challenge. I’ve wanted to write about so many different things: fitness, note-taking, organization, learning—you name it. But The Iterative Life gave me clarity. My niche isn’t a single topic; it’s the philosophy of making small changes that improve life bit by bit. That focus feels true to who I am, and it’s been incredibly rewarding to explore it here.

The Journey So Far

Let’s be honest: in the lifespan of a blog, mine is still very much in its infancy. I’m in the early stages of building an audience, but that hasn’t dampened my excitement. What drives me is knowing that what I’m writing matters to me and that it could be valuable to others as well. Even in these first few months, there have been highlights and lessons learned.

One major lesson is the value of batching content. Before I even set up my Ghost CRM site, I had my first three posts written and ready to go. This made it easy to schedule them weekly, giving me time to focus on other aspects of the blog. Publishing consistently is far easier when you’re not writing under pressure.

Another surprising discovery has been which posts resonate most with readers. It’s not always the topics I’m most passionate about, and I’m curious to see if that trend continues.

That said, the post I’m most proud of so far is my recent one on building morning and evening routines. It came together effortlessly and felt like the culmination of everything I’ve learned about writing and my personal process. If you haven’t read it yet, you can check it out here.

The Impact on Me

Writing for The Iterative Life has profoundly impacted how I approach my own growth and productivity. A few years ago, I believed that having a rigid, consistent system was the key to success. While consistency is still important, I’ve realized that avoiding small tweaks and experiments is a missed opportunity. Adopting a design mindset has helped me fine-tune my workflows and identify which changes lead to meaningful improvements.

This blog has also given me permission to explore and experiment in ways I hadn’t before. Whether it’s trying out new productivity tools, refining routines, or rethinking how I approach challenges, The Iterative Life has become both a creative outlet and a tool for personal growth.

Challenges and Lessons

Maintaining a blog isn’t without its challenges. The biggest hurdle has been carving out time to write. Our routines, both good and bad, can be deeply ingrained, and making room for something new requires mindfulness and intention.

One strategy that has worked well for me is starting each post with an outline. By breaking down my ideas into sections, I can write in small bursts whenever I find the time, whether on my laptop, iPad, or iPhone. I’ve also committed to dedicating specific blocks of time each week to Deep Work. These uninterrupted sessions have been a game changer, allowing me to focus solely on writing without distractions.

Looking Ahead

So, what’s next for The Iterative Life? I have some exciting content in the pipeline. Currently, I’m analyzing my self-hosted note-taking system and plan to share my findings in an upcoming post. I’ll be diving into the best self-hosted applications for note-taking based on my needs, and I’m eager to see where that exploration leads.

I’ve also been inspired by the idea of a minimal phone. While I’m not ready to fully embrace the concept, I’ve started using an iPad mini as a mobile-friendly device for apps and media, reserving my phone for calls, messages, and quick idea capture. This shift has even led me to use paper more often for jotting down ideas before transferring them to digital formats. I’ve been experimenting with a Traveler’s Notebook and Field Notes for this purpose, and it’s been a refreshing change.

On the health front, I’m giving my cold plunge experiment another solid try for 30 days after falling off the wagon. I’m also gearing up for spring 5Ks, with a goal of breaking the 30-minute mark for a 5K this year.

Lastly, I recently purchased a Fujifilm X-T5 and plan to incorporate more of my own photography into the blog. While Unsplash has been a fantastic resource, I’m excited to add a more personal touch to my posts with original images.

If any of these experiments or ideas resonate with you, I encourage you to follow along. Better yet, join me in trying out some of these concepts for yourself.

Conclusion

Three months might not seem like a long time, but it’s been enough to reflect on this journey and see the seeds of growth. I’m incredibly grateful to those of you who have taken the time to read, engage, and even try out some of the ideas I’ve shared here on The Iterative Life. Your encouragement and curiosity inspire me to keep going, iterating, and exploring ways to live just a little bit better each day.

This blog is still young, and so much lies ahead. I’m excited to experiment more, share lessons learned, and explore new concepts that might spark your own journey of iteration and improvement. Whether it’s through refining workflows, diving into health challenges, or discovering creative outlets, I’ll continue to share this journey with honesty and curiosity.

So here’s to iteration—small, consistent changes that add up over time. Thank you for being part of this process. If you’ve found something here that resonates, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Drop a comment, share your own experiments, or let me know what topics you’d love to see covered in the months to come.

Let’s keep iterating—together.