LessWrong (30+ Karma) “November Retrospective” by johnswentworth
Dec 1, 2025
A writer embarks on a daily blogging challenge, committing to post 500 words every day in November. Reflection leads to a candid admission that many posts felt mediocre, influenced by work and vacation distractions. He reveals that several posts were hastily completed from old drafts, abandoning deeper visions. Despite the lower quality, he finds value in clearing out drafts. Ultimately, he concludes that daily posting isn't sustainable without full commitment, weighing reputation against effort and benefits.
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Daily Posting While Working
- John S. Wentworth committed to posting a 500-word blog every day in November while still working and taking a vacation.
- Many posts were low-effort, often pulled from long-standing drafts and finished just enough to publish.
Examples Of Half-Baked Posts
- Several specific posts were named as examples of low-effort or partial ideas, like Moonrise and Where's The Capital.
- Some posts were interesting fragments but were published in a pared-down, shippable form.
Commitment Costs Outweighed Benefits
- Committing to daily publication while juggling other work reduced overall quality and increased stress.
- The activity produced some value (clearing drafts) but the costs outweighed benefits for him.