Elevate with Nordling

The Future of My Personal Website

2025-05-30T00:00:00Z

I changed static site generator (again) in August 2024 and feel there has been a slow progress since. I started this project many years ago to grow both as a writer and web developer. I believe content comes first and tech second but there are certain technical improvements I feel would enhance the user experience. There is always a trade-off with the limited time we have to get things done in a day. This is a hobby project that I maintain in my spare time and expect it to evolve during several years.

Starting over means I can bulid this from the ground-up and add features as I see a need for them. It will help me reflect on the future maintainability so I can decide which features to implement next and which ideas to let go of.

What I want

I've believed in the notion of Dreaming BIG for a long time and there's really no limit to what features I could include. I reviewed my notes with the highlights from trying several different website generators and blog themes. I'm keeping this list quite focused on the most important features relevant for a personal website with a blog and project section.

I think I’d like:

good enough accessibility and performance
it to use the best of modern web standards
simplicity: minimal dependencies, easy to make technical updates
minimal noise: I don’t want a bunch of emails and alerts from third parties
book notes to collect information from the books I read
more slash pages
WebC layouts
search via web component
a byline at the end of posts with a cute photo a short bio
a now page where I briefly state what I'm up to now
a search page to help you find what you are looking for
a supporters page for information how you can help my independent writing
a way for folks to contact me (not sure about this one)
a way to showcase my different projects
a landing page for my race reports/recaps
a hero image for certain blog posts
a way to automatically discover broken links
an animated heart in the footer
an "edit this page" link so anyone can suggest changes or fix my mistakes lol
some personality in the design and content
to be able to insert photos into content easily
to be able to insert media embeds into content easily
to automatically include updates from eleventy-base-blog
to disable scripts for JavaScript Naked Day and styles for CSS Naked Day
to update copy text on my about page
to pull down data from remote APIs with eleventy-fetch

And here are a few secondary and lower-level wants:

code snippets should look good
images complexities handled behind the scenes
social links and icons with redirects from subdomain. linkedin.nordling.xyz would lead to linkedin.com/in/rasmusnordling
to use Google Analytics to track user engagement
a favicon. This is the small image you see in the browser tab or when you save a website as a bookmark. It's a simple fix to add one but also very low priority.

What I actually have

See my changelog where I will document the changes being made to Elevate with Nordling.

Why bother with a changelog? I found several good reasons that aligns with my values and here are a few of them.

It gives my audience an insider’s look into how the platform or brand is evolving.
A public changelog aligns with values of transparency and sharing. Inviting people to see behind the curtain builds trust.

Main tech stack

It’s a statically generated site powered by Eleventy.
The code is hosted on GitHub.
I use Netlify for production builds, deployments and hosting.

I’m happy with this stack. The parts play well together, it’s free, and it brings a lot of flexibility and performance benefits.

CMS

I use Notion to juggle my blog posts and do the initial writing before transfering it to a single markdown document. I prefer the workflow of a static site generator over platforms like Blogger and WordPress that I used in my early blogging days.

This comes with the Eleventy blog starter

I love getting things for free and using a starter project instead of building from scratch means I get a lot of nice features included.

An XML sitemap which is intended for search engines.
Home page with an intro, and a list of latest posts.
About page with some information about me.
Blog archive with access to all published posts.
404 page with best practices when content is not found.
Collection of pages grouped by tags.

Plugins

Plugins are a great way to extend the functionality of Eleventy. Here are the ones I have added and feel improve the user experience, weather you read with your eyes or ears. Some are dependent of JavaScript so they don't work everywhere but I'm fine with that trade-off.

Accessible emojis for screenreaders
Estimated reading time for blog posts
Visual indicator how much of the post you have read

Inspiration

“Your job is to collect good ideas. The more good ideas you collect, the more you can choose from to be influenced by.” ― Austin Kleon, Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative

The inspiration for writing this came from Features of my personal website written by Laurence Hughes. I'm grateful he wrote that.

It's very likely that someone before you have already thought what you are thinking and made what you are looking for. My strategy is to combine the best ideas from different sources and put my own take on it. Here are some of my favourite websites that I drew inspiration from when brainstorming my features lists.

Balance, My favorite Saturday walk on Södermalm, Theodorus Clarence, Florian van der Galiën uses, Alex Hyett's Book Notes, Ryan Mulligan, About Rach Smith, Specialized 50th Anniversary, and Andrew Yates.

Hasta luego

I hope this was an interestsing and valuable read. I leave the link to my project board for those who want to get behind the curtain even more.

Thank you for reading ❤️.

April in Review: Using the Plus Minus Next Framework to Improve My Life

2025-05-01T00:00:00Z

As I reflect on the past month, I've been using the Plus Minus Next framework to evaluate my progress and reflect on what’s Next. I see value in being open and honest about my experiences, both positive and negative.

I've found this framework to be similar to the retro meetings I'm used to having at work, where we discuss what went well, what didn't, and what can be improved. It's refreshing to have a process that doesn't require overthinking, just writing down my thoughts and feelings.

April Action is my month's theme, which I've had help creating with the assistance of AI. It's part of a series of alliterations I've been given since October, with previous themes including October Odyssey, November Novice, and so on. April is all about taking initiative and being proactive in various aspects of my life. Some possible interpretations of "action" include:

Physical Action: engaging in physical activity to improve health and energy.
Taking Initiative: leading projects or relationships.
Creative Action: exploring creative activities like painting, writing, or playing music.
Social Action: participating in social events or networking.
Mindful Action: focusing on mindfulness and presence in my actions.
Goal-Oriented Action: setting specific, measurable goals and working towards them.

Some of the items mentioned below are part of my 25 for 2025 list. I recommend giving it a read if you want more information and learn about the happier trifecta.

Plus +

Music themed Sunday mass where 100 singers performed kent.
Attended yet another “start your own business” online seminar.
Enjoyed the MotoGP season so far.
F1 meetup at Southside. Met some new petrolheads to talk to while sipping on my non-alcoholic beer.
Had an interesting conversation with Cam (friend from Australia).
Upgraded my website to Eleventy 3 (much easier than anticipated).
Met up with Lotta at HiQ to close that chapter for now and focus on future opportunities.
Had to order a new phone and went with a refurbished iPhone 14 from Telestore which offered great service.
Took a leap of faith towards employment at AQC Sweden. Nordling Consulting can wait.
Created a new version of my consulting CV.
Got inspired to learn about Swedish inventions.
Completed my Confidence plan in the Balance app and got the “20 plans” achievement (use the link and try it yourself).
Enjoyed U2’s classic album The Joshua Tree and Anders Hansen’s new TV show on AI, Smartare än Hjärnan.
Celebrated Easter with my family and Maundy Thursday mass at church.
Found a new tool for web development, Volta, to handle multiple Node.js versions (even old dogs can learn new tricks).
The new Ghost album Skeletá and other bangers. See music video and Spotify playlist further down.
Prioritized watching Sweden in the U18 hockey tournament and I’m hoping for victory against USA in the semi-final.
Had Peas & Love (falafel) and non-alcoholic beers with Mathias, who dragged my ass out of the apartment ❤️.
Got interview coaching by my new colleague Karin.
Met my new neighbour/flatmate William who seems to be a fun bloke.

Minus -

The Minus column is particularly helpful in acknowledging that life isn't always a success story. It's essential to recognize obstacles and turn them into constructive lessons, rather than getting stuck in negative thought patterns.

My new bike was stolen before I had a chance to ride it. I see this as karma blowing up in my face for being reckless in my youth. A lesson I needed to learn.
Didn't exercise after the bike was stolen.
Grandma couldn't join us for Easter.
I missed out on Stockholm Culture Night, opting to stay home and binge-watch Pimp My Ride instead.
Didn't water my plants.
Didn't visit any museums or attend lunch concerts at church.
Missed International Songwriters Day and didn't celebrate International Jazz Day.
Couldn't run the new Decentraland client on my Mac, leading to me losing interest in the whole MVFW25 (Metaverse Fashion Week).
Cancelled my plans to participate in the Microsoft AI Skills Fest.
Had a low period, especially after Easter, where I didn't take care of myself.
Didn't start any new plans in Balance, lost my streak.
Lost motivation to contact recruiters and didn't make progress with the Agio coding test.
Had a poor evening routine and went to bed after midnight with no plan for the upcoming day.
Didn't make progress with my motorcycle license, still uncertainties regarding the way forward paired with overthinking.

Declare my taxes (been putting it off since March 18, deadline is May 2).
Inspire others and contribute to my community
- Upload a video with my thoughts on Skeletá (test Adobe Express).
Write a pitch for my upcoming interview.
Decide on a theme and direction for May.
Attend Motorcycle Day and buy the needed back protector.
Go for a long run with Söderlöparna.
Prepare for the Tough Viking Race.
Attend a lunch concert in the Engelbrekt Church.
Watch Eurovision Song Contest.
First dentist appointment in waaaaaay to long. Going back to public health-care just down the road.
Attend my first AQC event and meet colleagues outside of working hours.
Plan a reward or indulgence for the month
- Secure a ticket for the upcoming Ghost show.
Celebrate Bitcoin Pizza Day.
Do something special on Mother's Day.
Attend Ascension Day mass in church.
Highlight World no tobacco day on May 31st.
Choose my first tiny experiment for Pact.
Decide if I should upgrade my iCloud storage.
Get a haircut.
Drop by the clinic and do a blood test based health check in order to better understand my body and see where I can improve.
Cook more meals and use my meal prep containers.
Catch up on social media.
Get the tattoo I've been wanting.
Turn my new found Pimp My Ride knowledge into entertaining content.

Takeaways

Based on my Plus and Minus lists, I can let AI evaluate how well I did during the month:

Physical Action: I didn't do as well as I had hoped, with limited exercise and physical activity.
Taking Initiative: I took some positive steps, such as taking a leap of faith towards employment at AQC Sweden and completing a new version of my consulting CV.
Creative Action: I had some creative outlets, such as reading and attending concerts.
Social Action: I had some social interactions, such as meeting with friends and attending events.
Mindful Action: I didn't do as well as I had hoped, with some periods of low energy and motivation.
Goal-Oriented Action: I had some specific goals, but I didn't achieve all of them, such as not following up with recruiters and not reading as many books as I had hoped.

Overall, I think I made some progress in some areas, but I still have work to do in others. I'm looking forward to building on my successes and improving in areas where I struggled.

It's the small steps we take every day that add up to make a big difference in the long run. Thanks for reading, and don't forget to take care of yourself along the way!

What I'm Reading

“Reading is essential for those who seek to rise above the ordinary.” - Jim Rohn

Listening to The Great Adventure Catholic Bible by Ascension Press.
Tiny Experiments by Anne-Laure Le Cunff.

Previously:

77 Lessons at 77 by Arnold Schwarzenegger.
How to Learn to Code & Get a Developer Job by Quincy Larson.

My '25 for 25' Goals Inspired by the Happier Trifecta

2025-02-23T00:00:00Z

Introduction

I got the idea of writing a "25 for 2025" list from Gretchen Rubin as part of the Happier Trifecta. This trifecta offers different strategies to boost happiness and build habits throughout the year. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution to being happier—these tools allow you to find what works best for you. Whether you feel energized by the clean slate of January 1, prefer to start your aims when it suits you, or need a boost to keep up your resolutions, you can use these strategies at any time. The best time to start is always now.

(January was a bit hectic for me, so I left it until February 23rd to compile this list.)

Your Year, Your Way

Gretchen's research and experience show that when we set specific aims that match our personal preferences, energy levels, circumstances, and tendencies, we’re far more likely to achieve them. After taking Gretchen's quiz, I discovered that my tendency is to be a Questioner.

Personally, I’m not a fan of New Year’s resolutions, but I love the idea of keeping a solid list of my aims.

This Year’s Trifecta

Join the “25 in ’25” Challenge

This year, I’m excited to participate in the “Read 25 in ’25” challenge, which encourages reading for 25 minutes every day in 2025. Many people want to read more but find it hard to keep the habit. I’ve already finished several books thanks to this challenge, and I’m tracking my progress on my Goodreads profile.
Choose a One-Word Theme for 2025

Picking a word or phrase to encapsulate my aims for 2025 is a fun and engaging way to focus my intentions, especially since I’m not a fan of resolutions. In 2024 I chose “Communication” as that was an area I wanted to improve in. My theme for this year is "Longevity," represented by the infinity symbol (∞), which serves as a reminder to make decisions once and stick to them. This theme can help me stay motivated and focused, leading me toward new ideas and unexpected possibilities.

The concept of longevity resonates with me in various ways. It motivates me to adopt healthier eating habits, such as a personal modification of the Mediterranean diet and abstaining from alcohol. I’ve also started walking more and have incorporated a new bike and bells workout routine into my life. Additionally, I consume a lot of content revolving around lifestyle choices that promote a long and healthy life. The goal is to build habits that last for 100 years.
Write a “25 for 2025” List

When I set specific aims for myself, I’m far more likely to achieve them. I’ve taken the time to create a list of 25 things I’d like to accomplish this year. They can be big or small, enjoyable or challenging, serious or whimsical. I like to include a mix. The important thing is to keep them specific, concrete, and manageable. For example, “Try 25 new recipes” works better than “Become an accomplished cook.”

You can be playful with "2025" by incorporating the numbers 2 and 5 to create different quantities. Focus on actions rather than outcomes. For instance, instead of saying “Learn Italian,” you might say “Practice Italian for 7 minutes a day.”

My “25 for 2025” List

Obtain a motorcycle license.
Get a tattoo.
Attend a conference outside of Sweden.
Launch my freelancing business (offering services in IT, music, video, and writing).
Establish a habit of working out at F247 gym in Stockholm (participate in follow-along group sessions).
Successfully upgrade my website project (this site) to version 4 using the latest Eleventy version.
Celebrate 25 anniversaries in 2025 (music, books, movies, etc.).
Submit an original song to 2-5 local competitions for the Eurovision Contest (Melodifestivalen and others).
Upload all my in-progress videos to YouTube.
Perform an original song at an Open Mic Night.
Experiment in the kitchen by trying a new recipe each month.
Commit to 15 minutes of Duolingo each day and plan to take a Spanish course within the next three months.
Ask someone out on a date and plan a unique experience.
Read for 2 to 5 or 25 minutes each day.
Listen to The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) podcast daily and follow along with The Bible Recap to deepen my understanding and complete the entire Catholic Bible within a year.
Visit The Swedish Museum of Performing Arts.
Purchase my first business.
Attend an in-person hackathon or game jam and collaborate with others to build something cool.
Evaluate whether ordering groceries online adds value to my life.
Go on an adventure in a hot air balloon.
Throw a birthday party for myself.
Enjoy the sauna 2-5 times this year and organize a sauna boat trip with friends.
Get a health checkup to understand my unique epigenetics.
Visit my “lumberjack” friend Robin in Malmö.
Free Space!

It was a bit challenging to come up with so many different ideas. I moved some incomplete ones over from last year and tried to include something from all areas of life to grow holistically.

I’m excited for 2025, hope you are too! 🤩

Resources

Listen to the Happier with Gretchen Rubin podcast.

What I'm Currently Reading

Listening to The Great Adventure Catholic Bible by Ascension Press.

Taking Time Out to Celebrate

2025-01-11T00:00:00Z

Preface

I see that I haven't posted anything new since the end of October, and today I’m changing that!

This is not going to be one of those long “what have I done since last time” kinds of posts. Instead, it’s something shorter to help me complete something before I change my mind. If you recall, I have a tendency to get stuck when it comes to making decisions. One consequence is starting many projects but delaying their completion, which leaves me silent for months. In reality, I feel a constant pressure to deliver.

This realization hit me one night as I lay awake, unable to fall back asleep. I want to become a content creator and practice the art of consistency. However, whenever an idea seems like a “5-minute job,” it rarely is for me. Instead, it stretches into hours, days, weeks, or even months.

So, what’s the solution? My strategy for the new year is to postpone decision-making until the weekend. On that specific day, I’ll write about whatever topic comes to mind. Don’t expect a recurring series or weekly reviews—those tend to make me overthink. Instead, I want to create content that’s entertaining, inspirational, and personal.

Topic of the Week: Celebrating Wins

When was the last time you celebrated a win? I mean properly taking a break and saying, “I’m done working for the week. Let’s make a toast to my progress!”

For me, it’s been a long time. But now, seeing that I’m making progress (not perfection!) recently, I think that’s reason enough to enjoy a healthy meal and a luxurious, non-alcoholic drink.

What I’m Celebrating Right Now

Health & Vitality

After weeks of dealing with fever symptoms, headaches, toothache, and sleep problems since mid-December, I’m finally feeling much better and almost fully recovered. That’s something I’m truly celebrating!
I’ve also started the year by returning to my workout habit, being mindful of where I’m at, and not pushing myself too hard.
I’m excited to dedicate this year to longevity as I focus on sustainable health habits and long-term well-being.

Mind & Meaning

I’ve been enjoying the Balance app and have completed over 100 hours of meditation.
I’ve practiced my Spanish for over 110 days. ¡Hola amigos!

Love & Relationships

I spent quality time with my dad and grandma this week.
I met my new flatmate, and she seems nice.

Productivity & Performance

I reached my weekly task goal (50 tasks) in Todoist.

Closing Thoughts

Talk to you again next weekend when I have something else to share. For now, I’m heading out to walk down a snowy road to pick up some groceries and a nice bottle of something sparkling and luxurious. The perfect way to toast a fresh start and new progress! All the best.

/ Rasmus

From Employee to Hybrid Entrepreneur: Finding Purpose and Freedom in My Career Journey

2024-10-27T00:00:00Z

I previously talked about decision fatigue and systemizing routine decisions. Since that post resonated with many of you, today I want to share my recent thoughts on feeling stuck when it comes to the bigger decisions that shape our future.

This time, I’m focusing on my career and the feeling of longing for change. It’s about self-imposed stress and recognizing that this choice is entirely mine to make. I could drop everything and walk away, or I could commit to working hard for a brighter future.

Background

For context, in 2019, at age 28, I was single, living with my parents in Stockholm, and working as a full-stack web developer at a tech consultancy. It was a decent-paying job.

Being a full-stack developer means my role involves solving technical problems for clients by designing and implementing web-based applications. A typical day is a mix of meetings (deciding on tasks and roles), coding (trying to avoid breaking anything), troubleshooting, and often waiting on support tickets to resolve issues. The job has its highs when things go smoothly and definite lows when I’m stuck with no one available to help, as everyone else is juggling their own deadlines.

Now, at 34, the surface details haven’t changed much. I finally moved closer to the city and am making more money, but the job feels just as repetitive as it did five years ago. I wasn’t thrilled with it then, so it raises the question—am I genuinely satisfied now?

Beneath the surface, however, things have evolved. Just before turning 29, I quit my job and moved to Brisbane, Australia, on my own—a significant leap that changed my perspective.

In Australia, I had an incredible experience, making friends like Cam and Mandy and finding community support at Raymont, which was invaluable during the pandemic.

When I decided to study music, I was fully committed—no plan B. Coding was off the table, and I stepped away from tech completely. During trimester breaks, however, I began exploring ways to generate income beyond music. I read about side hustles, attended property meetups, and realized there were other avenues I wanted to explore. Then, during my “Entrepreneurship in Music” course, we dug into the essentials of starting a business. I learned how to make a business model canvas, write a mission and vision statement, and handle basic finances—all skills that are proving valuable now. Inspired, I even rebranded my YouTube channel from “Ras World of Music and Lyrics” to “Bangers ‘n’ Biz,” reflecting a growing interest in the intersection of music and business.

As part of this exploration, I also started attending crypto meetups in Brisbane, where I developed an interest in Ethereum and music NFTs (playlist). I couldn’t stay away from coding for long, it seems, since I even took part in a few hackathons focused on Web3. This experience opened me up to the exciting possibilities of blockchain technology in creative industries.

In 2021, I also enrolled in the Rich Dad Choose to BE RICH System by Robert Kiyosaki. This course exposed me to various wealth-building vehicles, including real estate, business ownership, and paper assets. Due to compliance regulations at my finance job, a stock portfolio isn’t an option for me. This has led me to focus more intently on real estate and business ownership as paths toward financial independence.

Leaving a high-paying tech job to become a musician may seem impulsive to some, but I view it as a leap of faith. And honestly, it’s one of the best decisions I’ve made.

Present-Day Struggles

Being a music student gave me a lot of freedom. I decided when to study, whom to write music with, and where to live. Now that I’m back in a traditional job, I appreciate the opportunity, but I feel confined. Keeping up with the ever-evolving tech landscape is overwhelming, and I’m back to feeling lost. That’s why I’m evaluating where I want to go next year.

I'm searching for my next "best decision" that will transform my life in a meaningful way.

While my motivations aren’t fully clear, one is crystal: achieving financial freedom. I want to find a way to make more money with less time and effort. It’s a self-imposed stress, but I know I want more in life—thinking ten years ahead, I’d rather endure the effort now, even if it’s lonely, risky, and stressful.

That’s why I recently went down the YouTube rabbit hole, researching high-paying tech roles (like DevOps or Cloud Engineering) that might suit me. The salaries, often around $100k per year, are tempting.

But I hesitate. Transitioning would mean spending three or more months learning new skills, like following a DevOps roadmap and taking courses in Python, which I already abandoned once after just ten days.

There are plenty of certifications that could make me more marketable, but is it worth the time, money, and effort if I might still end up in a role I don’t enjoy? Even with the potential for higher pay, I’d still be facing constant learning and staying updated to remain relevant—clashing with my goal of working less.

So I stepped back, pulled myself out of that rabbit hole, and talked to Cam, a friend with firsthand experience in running a business.

The Solution: Becoming a Hybrid Entrepreneur

Reflecting on my experience working for others, I’m seeing that maybe I’m meant to be on a different path—one that leads toward entrepreneurship.

It’s becoming clearer: make a plan and commit to it.

I know what I value:

Freedom
Transparency
Sustainability - Making choices that don’t waste resources, finding the 80/20 approach, and reducing environmental impact.
Loyalty - Building meaningful relationships with clients and collaborators that last.

I’ve always admired digital nomads for their autonomy—the freedom to travel, work, and immerse in different cultures. And when it comes to transparency, it’s about being honest and open, sharing the good and bad parts of life, whether on a blog or YouTube. This openness builds trust, keeps me accountable, and is something I aim to incorporate into my work.

I envision building a business focused on solving complex business challenges efficiently, possibly leveraging cloud technology. Ideally, I’d work remotely, maybe splitting my time between Stockholm, Costa del Sol, and hopefully even Australia.

But there’s more to consider than just income. How do I want to spend my time? Do I want to immerse myself in tech, run a business, or manage properties? My decision should align with my values. And because I currently work in finance, trading stocks is restricted for compliance reasons. So to put my money to work, I’ll likely need to look into buying property or starting a business.

I've recently looked into businesses for sale, to assess the viability of buying an existing company. I may start with freelancing or hobby-based business activities and eventually scale up to a registered business once I’ve built enough experience.

Embracing Hybrid Entrepreneurship

The concept of Hybrid Entrepreneurship (also called “halfpreneurship”) is about leveraging my current job while building a business on the side. This dual path allows me to develop business skills that can benefit my job and, in turn, prepare me for self-employment.

Hybrid entrepreneurship also allows me to build my skills as an intrapreneur, positioning myself as a leader in my current role by taking on extra responsibilities and asking to participate in more strategic decisions. My aim is to balance the stability of my job with the experience of building something part-time, making sure each informs and strengthens the other.

Next Steps Toward Hybrid Entrepreneurship

To set myself up for a future in hybrid entrepreneurship, here’s how I plan to begin:

Start Small: Begin with freelancing or a hobby business to gain experience.
Establish Transparency: Have open conversations with my manager about my business aspirations, including discussing potential contributions to HiQ’s strategy beyond coding.
Clarify Rules: Review employment policies, including non-compete clauses, to understand what’s possible within my current role.
Build Skills and Connections: Read up on sales, find a business mentor in Stockholm, and explore roadmaps for becoming a business owner or developer.

Deep down, I know I don’t want to stay on the employee path indefinitely. This plan keeps me grounded in my current role while letting me explore entrepreneurship at a sustainable pace.

Thank You to Cameron Seale for inspiring this post.

From Overwhelm to Order: My Battle with Decision Fatigue and the Systems That Help

2024-10-05T00:00:00Z

Every day, I face a mountain of decisions that leave me mentally exhausted before noon. It’s not the big, life-changing choices that weigh me down, but the endless barrage of small, routine ones. Should I go to the gym now or later? What should I eat for dinner? With so many options, even simple tasks start to feel overwhelming.

As it turns out, this constant strain has a name: decision fatigue. The more choices we have to make, the more our mental energy drains, leading to stress and poor decision-making. For me, it sometimes feels like it takes forever to make even the simplest choice. Yet, once I’ve finally made a decision, I rarely have to change it.

The key to avoiding this mental exhaustion? Eliminate routine decisions.

The Conversation That Sparked Change

Earlier this year, I had a conversation with my friend Cam about decision fatigue, and it completely changed my perspective. We were both feeling stuck, not moving forward with our projects or personal goals, and we realized that indecision was the root cause. Since then, I've come to see that many of my stalled ambitions boil down to one thing: an inability to make decisions quickly and confidently.

As Jeff Bezos wisely pointed out, “stress primarily comes from not taking action over something you can control.” For example, right now I’m struggling to choose a new dentist, doctor, and therapist in Stockholm. With so many options and factors to consider, I don’t even know where to begin. It’s frustrating, and the longer I wait, the more stress I feel.

Finding a Framework to Simplify Decisions

During our chat, Cam suggested something simple but effective: use a framework to make decisions easier. Instead of feeling overwhelmed by the number of options, I could narrow them down based on specific criteria—like cost, location, and reviews. For example, when choosing a dentist, I could compare metrics such as appointment cost vs. distance from my home. It seems straightforward, but even this can feel overwhelming—picking which metrics to prioritize is another decision in itself!

That’s when I realized: there’s no escaping decisions. But what we can do is systematize the ones that don’t require deep thought. By turning routine choices into automatic actions, we can free up mental energy for the decisions that truly matter.

The Power of Routines: Deciding Once and Never Again

Here’s how I’ve started to simplify my life. I’ve created routines and automated choices in key areas, reducing the number of decisions I have to make every day. Below, I break down my routines across different aspects of my life, all inspired by Tony Robbins’ Pyramid of Mastery, which focuses on personal fulfillment in health, relationships, and business.

These routines may not always be fun or comfortable, but they help me save brainpower for more important decisions.

Health & Vitality

Dumbbell workouts with Chris and Edi (no gym decision required)
Cold shower after every workout (boosts energy, reduces inflammation)
Take the stairs whenever possible—no more elevator/escalator debates
Sleep schedule: Consistent 10pm–6am, seven days a week
Bedroom temperature: Keep the room at 18°C during the night for better sleep quality
Supplements: Magnesium and Zinc once a day

Mind & Meaning

Daily reading: A page from Uncommon Life (no choice of book needed)
Meditation: Using Balance or Headspace apps to start the day grounded

Love & Relationships

Weekly check-ins with Cam: Same time, same day (no planning required)
Social media: I’ll keep it simple—maintaining my current accounts without overthinking them
Personal development goal: Aspire to become a loving father and husband (keeping this as a focus for the future, no decision fatigue here)
Household habits: Cleaning the toilet after use—because small acts matter

Productivity & Performance

Evening planning: Preparing tasks, clothes, and meals the night before
Folding clothes: Using the Marie Kondo method for tidiness and consistency
Workweek structure:
- Maker Monday–Thursday (focus on creative and coding tasks)
- Admin on Friday (inbox zero, admin tasks)
- Planner on weekends (strategize for the week ahead)
Phone settings: Keeping my phone on Do Not Disturb mode to minimize distractions
Device settings: Using greyscale mode on all devices to reduce distractions and eye strain
Organizational tools: Specific apps for each need
- Brave browser for ad-free, fast, and privacy-focused browsing
- Google Calendar for scheduling
- Goodreads for books
- Notion for planning and documents
- Pocket Casts for podcasts
- Spotify for music
- Todoist for projects
- Trakt for TV shows and movies

Career & Business

Leverage AI: Using tools like ChatGPT for brainstorming, proofreading, and beyond
Programming: Learning Python as my next professional skill

Wealth & Lifestyle

Free trials: Maximizing free streaming trials rather than paying for subscriptions
Use it till it breaks: Continuing to use the same tech until it no longer works
Apple ecosystem: Sticking with Apple products for ease and familiarity
Gaming: Grabbing a free game from Epic each week
Wishlist: When I want to buy something, I add it to my Notion Buying Wishlist and give it time—do I truly need it or is it just a want?

Leadership & Impact

Content creation: Sharing insights and reflections on social media platforms
YouTube goal: Committing to 100 YouTube videos as a learning experience—then reassessing its potential for my career

Small Steps, Big Change

By implementing these routines, I’ve been able to cut down on decision fatigue and reserve my mental energy for more significant choices. As much as possible, I’ve decided once and removed the need to decide again. It’s an ongoing process, but every small step counts toward a more efficient and less stressful life.

The journey to combat decision fatigue isn’t perfect—there’s always more to improve. But with these systems in place, I’m finding it easier to move forward, one decision at a time.

Thanks to Cameron Seale for reading drafts of this.

What I’m Working On: Finding Balance Between Coding, Music, and Life

2024-08-13T00:00:00Z

Introduction

As I approach my 34th birthday, I’m still on a journey of figuring out who I am. My interests span across music, technology, and the mysteries of the human brain. This post is a mix of reflecting on my progress and sharing experiences that might resonate with or inspire you.

If you asked me what I do right now, I’d say: I work as a programmer by day and a songwriter by night. I haven’t had a proper workout in a while—unless you count moving heavy furniture up and down stairs. I meditate regularly, though focus remains elusive. Australia feels far away, now more than ever. Memento mori.

This post isn’t just about what I’ve been doing; it’s about the journey, the small wins, and the ongoing struggles. Whether you’re here to follow along or find some inspiration for your own path, I hope you get something out of these reflections.

The Big Rocks

For those unfamiliar with the concept, here’s a good explanation: “The Big Rocks are the major things you want to get done this week. A report, launching a new website, going to the gym, spending time with your spouse and kids, achieving your dreams.” - Zen Habits

My Big Rocks this week.

100 Days of Code (Learning Python Programming)

I completed the first 3 days. It was still pretty easy and mostly a repetition of familiar concepts, but I learned some useful things and got ideas for future projects. I’m looking forward to the remaining 97 days and am curious to see where this challenge will take me.

Chris & Edi Vitalize 1.0 (8-Week Dumbbell Workout Program)

I tried to figure out a way to get my workouts in without relying on Wi-Fi or mobile data. I signed up for their app but couldn’t find a way to download the workouts for offline use (I didn't want to spend mobile data at the gym). Then I gave up—so that was that. It was a shame this made the project bigger than it needed to be.

Still, I believe I’ll gain some benefits that will help me maintain good habits. It seems worth spending on things that help me reach my goals. I compared it with other apps too, but it’s hard to beat the follow-along workouts with music.

5090 Songwriting Challenge (Write 50 Songs in 90 Days)

I didn’t set much time aside for songwriting this week. I thought about it since I got daily reminders, but I ended up watching TV shows and twiddling my thumbs instead. Still, I’m keeping this challenge in mind and hope to find more time to dedicate to it soon.

Personal

Apartment

I had dinner with one of my neighbors this week. He was really friendly and fun, making me feel more at home in the new place. I also did my first laundry here—always a milestone in getting settled.

I continued unboxing and arranging furniture. I still need to tweak some things in the setup and get a feel for how everything fits together. But I’m sleeping in a bed and working at a standing desk, with a monstera by the window—what more could a bachelor possibly want? 😉

I also started investigating a mesh Wi-Fi system to improve connectivity throughout the apartment. Especially since the one in the common areas isn't working.

Health

I finished my bottle of Green Tea supplements this week. Now, I’m only taking Zinc and Magnesium.

Dentist Dilemmas

Finding a dentist has been a struggle. It’s hard to find one that offers reasonable prices (I'm expecting them to want to do some work...), and I’ve been experiencing some serious decision fatigue. I created a template that I can use to request quotes, which should help narrow down the options.

Preparing for Spain

I renewed my passport since my previous one expired last year shortly after I returned from Australia. This was part of my preparation for an upcoming trip, and I’m glad to have it sorted out.

Nordling.xyz (This Website)

Since sharing this website on Facebook, I received some positive feedback from people I care about, and that means a lot. Cam heard me talk with passion and frustration about this project all year and gave me credit for the authentic writing, clean design, and for inspiring him to write as well. The domain name is mine for another 10 years, so it’s safe to say this could turn into a decade-long project with new posts and small improvements along the way. Feel free to bookmark it. 😉

Professional

Work Progress and Challenges

Besides the programming I did in my spare time, I didn’t make any meaningful progress at work this week. Most of my time was spent in meetings and chasing people on Teams to find someone with the right access to help me investigate further. I tried handing it over to someone else on my team, but it came back to me like a hot potato. 🥵 It’s really demotivating when things don’t work out, and I end up spending most of my time troubleshooting (the worst part of being a programmer).

While waiting for a response, I dove into some short courses on Digital Savviness: the data, digital tools and apps, AI tools, and advanced banking knowledge. I earned a few certificates that I might show off on LinkedIn.

This Week's Learnings

I discovered that Copilot (Microsoft’s AI assistant) is not as effective as ChatGPT. It keeps messing up my somewhat simple requests, which was a bit disappointing.

Biggest Win

I haven’t quite pinned down my biggest win for this week yet.

Biggest Struggle

Getting to bed on time and waking up at 6 AM for a 2-hour Python session before work has been my biggest struggle. I had all the good intentions but failed miserably.

Habits

Helpful

As I mentioned earlier, I’m fascinated by the human brain and how it works. I’ve been working on adopting more helpful habits while trying to eliminate the unhelpful ones. Here are a few habits I’ve focused on:

I enjoy going for long walks + taking the stairs instead of the elevator/escalator when possible.
I intermittent fast (for longevity, not weight loss) and don't really eat three meals a day. I also try to stop eating before 8 PM. People have preconceived notions about it, and I’ve encountered some confusion. This deserves its own post.
I’ve started sleeping with my mouth taped to enforce nasal breathing, a habit I picked up again since moving into the apartment.
When I need to focus on meaningful work, I put my phone on Do Not Disturb and place it out of sight (sorry in advance if I don’t get back to you right away).
I’ve been tracking most of my thoughts in Notion. I created a whole database dedicated to expense tracking to prevent me from making impulsive purchases. This week, I was eyeing the first iMac computer released in 1999.
I’ve been getting into the habit of asking ChatGPT for advice on things I know little about. This helps curb my tendency to over-research and combats decision fatigue.

Unhelpful

On the flip side, I’ve been struggling with procrastination—something I still need to work on.

Deep Work Sessions (Created)

I read this article on deep work, which made me think of better ways to accomplish what’s important. It inspired me to create more focused work sessions.

I also got a creative urge to finish a personal message to my songwriting teacher Loïc from JMC after hearing of his sudden passing.

I completed 3 small text-based Python projects as part of my ongoing learning. They’re nothing worth sharing just yet, but they were good practice.

Consumed

Watched

This week, I watched Skilda Världar (90's nostalgia—a milestone in Swedish TV history. Guilty pleasure, but mostly a time-waster). I also watched some table tennis finals—this time at the HiQ office. It had more impact on me than I expected; I even dreamed that I was in Japan playing soccer for the national team at the Olympics. lol.

Listened to

Here’s two albums that became my soundtrack this week:

I also listened to the Genius Blogger and Pybites on creating content.

Read

I read an article on grayscale screens and decided to try for myself: “It's a lot easier to maintain your focus when everything on your screen is displayed in shades of gray.” How to Geek.

Friends and Family

I met a few Christians from South Korea while on my lunch break this week. They showed me a few passages from the Bible, and we had a great chat. I’m considering catching up with them again for more Bible studies.

I had a nice walk and talk over the phone with my friend Robin who said he's coming to visit soon.

My friends that I hang out with the most are a homogenous group of Caucasian men in their 30s. I’ve been thinking about how I could interact with more women and diversify my social circle.

I had my first video call with Cam in my new room. I was worried I’d disturb the neighbor, so I spent a long time online looking for good spots to sit. I didn’t find anything suitable, but it turned out fine to talk in the bedroom anyway—so I worried for nothing.

This week, I attended The Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra’s annual Gärdet concert by the Maritime Museum with the meetup group Stockholm Classical Music Concerts. It was great seeing Kariem again (we’ve been to two classical concerts in Berwaldhallen earlier this year), and I also met some new cool people with similar interests.

Closing Thoughts

All in all, I moved the needle slightly forward this week. Posting these updates helps me stay accountable and track my growth, and I hope it resonates with you as well.

Thanks for reading, and here’s to another week of growth and new experiences!

What I’m Working On: Moving, Career Shifts, and Family Celebrations

2024-08-04T00:00:00Z

Introduction

Welcome to my first (published) post of the year! My intention was to start posting much earlier, beginning with my 2023 Review in January by writing for 24 minutes each day. In February, I aimed to publish my first blog post of the year on Nordling.xyz (this site), and by March, I planned to officially launch Nordling.xyz v1.0 (though it was actually deployed in mid-February, I never announced it publicly). However, I put these goals on the back burner to focus on other projects. I've since been reevaluating my options, and now, in late July/August, I've decided to stop overthinking and share the site on Facebook. After all, how can I expect to gain readers if I don't share what I write?

This week has been filled with new beginnings, both personally and professionally, and I'm excited to share a recap.

Personal

Moving to a New Place

I've taken a big step towards independence by moving into a shared apartment in Södermalm, similar to accommodations I've lived in before. It's been an exciting process, albeit a bit overwhelming at times. It's been on my 24 for 24 list since January, and this week, I tackled some essential household tasks:

Installing a temporary curtain: I had to buy a curtain rod that fit my window and struggled to find wide enough blackout curtains. For now, I've found a temporary solution that is good enough and keeps most of the light out.
Turning on the lights: This new apartment uses a DCL connector for the ceiling lamps. I went to IKEA to get them and replaced the connector. Also, the floor lamp was damaged in the move, and I dropped the bulb, which exploded. It took me a while to clean up all the pieces and replace it, but now I have some working lights.
First solo grocery shopping: It’s been a while since I shopped for myself, and it was a bit confusing navigating the new store. I had some issues at checkout but managed to get home with the groceries and say hi to my flatmate Bruno, who was cooking in the kitchen.

A huge thank you to my family for their incredible help during the move. Their support made the process much smoother and less stressful, and I couldn’t have done it without them.

This new place is similar to past shared housing experiences, but it feels like a fresh start with its own unique vibe and location.

Preparing for Spain

I'm gearing up for a trip to Spain next month, which means sorting out some logistical details, like obtaining an EU health insurance card (Mathias is keen on visiting Gibraltar). After talking to the authorities, I realized that I probably won't get the card in time for our trip, but at least I endured the long phone queue to complete an important task. They told me I shouldn't worry about getting injured.

My Personal Website

I've once again reevaluated the technical options for reviving my website and blog (another 24 for 24 item). I'm done overthinking and second-guessing this project. The primary goal is to streamline my writing process, allowing me to post my thoughts quickly without getting caught up in the technicalities. For now, I'm sticking with a simple, default layout to avoid falling into the rabbit hole of endless customization.

Professional

Career Exploration

At work, I've been grappling with some issues related to Power BI Embedded (data visualization). All that frustration has been a wake-up call, to say the least. I've been considering a shift towards roles that excite me more and have looked at some Developer Roadmaps. I'm particularly interested in:

DevOps and backend development: I'm starting with the basics of Python to automate tasks and enhance my skill set. I previously created a game called Coco Loco (about a silly coconut, some Russians, and Bear Grylls) over 10 years ago during my CS degree, and now I'm revisiting modern Python. I also purchased the highly popular Udemy course 100 Days of Code: The Complete Python Pro Bootcamp to deepen my understanding of Python and further build my portfolio.
Future goals: I'm preparing for a follow-up meeting with my manager later this month to discuss my next assignment.

Habits

Helpful

I've adopted a new habit to help me focus better: a simple paper list. I use both sides of the paper, one for work tasks and the other for personal ones. This method has reduced the mental clutter of switching between multiple digital notes and to-do lists.

Unhelpful

On the flip side, I'm working on curbing my tendency to overthink and complicate things that could be kept simple. Another small but annoying habit is my compulsion to check new Messenger Stories, triggered by the red dot notification, even though they rarely offer any value.

Biggest Win

One of the highlights of this week has been my effort to scale down and focus on the most critical tasks, especially around the move. It's a small victory, but it's helping me stay grounded and organized.

Biggest Struggle

Maintaining healthy habits has been a bit of a challenge. I've been forgetting to incorporate regular exercise into my routine, even something as simple as a few push-ups before bed.

Consumed

This week, I’ve enjoyed watching some Olympic Games events, particularly swimming and the table tennis final where Truls got the silver medal. I also watched a fascinating documentary on Ingmar Stenmark. Additionally, I listened to the Real Python Podcast, Episode 195: Building a Healthy Developer Mindset While Learning Python. It offered some valuable insights into maintaining a balanced mindset while picking up new skills.

I also read Maker's Schedule, Manager's Schedule by Paul Graham, which emphasizes the different time management needs of creative work versus administrative tasks—a concept Alex Hormozi also discussed and one that I try to adopt.

I also explored the Flow State with Bobby Lyte.

Created

I must admit this post took me almost the entire day to write. But more importantly, I finished what I started. Getting one more repetition done and strengthening my writing muscles. As they say, short posts are better than unpublished novels, and this format helps me stay consistent with my writing.

Friends and Family

I caught up with friends this week, including a chat with Ryan K from Brisbane, who's started learning Swedish. It was great to reconnect and share experiences. I also kept up the streak of seeing live music each month by attending a Mimikry concert at Gröna Lund with Mathias. It felt great to unwind and enjoy some live music.

I spent some quality time with my parents over the weekend as we traveled to Djurö to celebrate my uncle Kalle's 80th birthday. It was a special occasion, and I got to see relatives I hadn't seen in many years.

Closing Thoughts

Overall, it's been an ideal week—one that has both enjoyment and improvement for the future. See Tim Urban's post Your Life in Weeks for a longer read about the concept of visualizing life in weeks, which is a powerful reminder to make the most of our (limited) time.

Posting these updates helps me stay accountable and track my growth. My goal remains to create seven hours of content spread across four platforms, always striving to learn and improve with each new upload or post.

Thanks for reading, and here's to another week of growth and new experiences!

My '24 for 24' Goals for 2024 Inspired by Gretchen Rubin

2024-01-01T00:00:00Z

Introduction

I got the idea of writing a '24 for 24' list from Gretchen Rubin as part of the Happier Trifecta.

This year's trifecta is:

Write a list of 24 things, big or small, you'd like to get done this year.
This year, write for 2 to 4 or 24 minutes each day.
Choose one word or a short phrase to sum up what you want to focus on for the year.

Rasmus Trifecta for 2024

My one-word theme is "Communication.”

Get a motorcycle license
Get a Tattoo
Become more independent by moving to an apartment
Begin lifting weights at a gym in Stockholm
Launch my new website
Celebrate the 15th anniversary of mine and Robin’s friendship in August
Release a song as a Music NFT on Sound.xyz
Produce and Publish 24 videos to YouTube
Summer of Biographies
Finish the outline of my memoir
Race every month (running, triathlon, OCR, etc.)
Perform music at 10 Open Mic Nights
Go to a Sunday service in church once a month
Start my freelancing business (offer services within the fields of IT, Music, Video and Photo)
Try a new recipe from my liquorice cook book every month
Attend 10 new meetup groups, to expand my network
Travel to Spain
Compose my first song for a (32-note?) music box and play it with paper strips
Take a date to a Sofar Sounds. concert
Try a new hairstyle
Start playing in a band (duo or larger)
This year, write for 2 to 4 or 24 minutes each day
Start a guided visualisation practice
Free Space!

What I'm Currently Reading

Stress Less, Accomplish More: Meditation for Extraordinary Performance by Emily Fletcher (Goodreads).

Elevate with Nordling

The Future of My Personal Website

What I want

What I actually have

Main tech stack

CMS

This comes with the Eleventy blog starter

Plugins

Inspiration

Hasta luego

April in Review: Using the Plus Minus Next Framework to Improve My Life

Plus +

Minus -

Next →

Takeaways

What I'm Reading

My '25 for 25' Goals Inspired by the Happier Trifecta

Introduction

Your Year, Your Way

This Year’s Trifecta

My “25 for 2025” List

Resources

What I'm Currently Reading

Taking Time Out to Celebrate

Preface

Topic of the Week: Celebrating Wins

What I’m Celebrating Right Now

Closing Thoughts

From Employee to Hybrid Entrepreneur: Finding Purpose and Freedom in My Career Journey

Background

Present-Day Struggles

The Solution: Becoming a Hybrid Entrepreneur

Embracing Hybrid Entrepreneurship

Next Steps Toward Hybrid Entrepreneurship

From Overwhelm to Order: My Battle with Decision Fatigue and the Systems That Help

The Conversation That Sparked Change

Finding a Framework to Simplify Decisions

The Power of Routines: Deciding Once and Never Again

Health & Vitality

Mind & Meaning

Love & Relationships

Productivity & Performance

Career & Business

Wealth & Lifestyle

Leadership & Impact

Small Steps, Big Change

What I’m Working On: Finding Balance Between Coding, Music, and Life

Introduction

The Big Rocks

100 Days of Code (Learning Python Programming)

Chris & Edi Vitalize 1.0 (8-Week Dumbbell Workout Program)

5090 Songwriting Challenge (Write 50 Songs in 90 Days)

Personal

Apartment

Health

Dentist Dilemmas

Preparing for Spain

Nordling.xyz (This Website)

Professional

Work Progress and Challenges

This Week's Learnings

Biggest Win

Biggest Struggle

Habits

Helpful

Unhelpful

Deep Work Sessions (Created)

Consumed

Watched

Listened to

Read

Friends and Family

Closing Thoughts

What I’m Working On: Moving, Career Shifts, and Family Celebrations

Introduction

Personal

Moving to a New Place

Preparing for Spain

My Personal Website

Professional