Why I Stopped Updating Zenmind Weekly

I’ve always been sensitive to the number 17. It was the number on my high school basketball jersey, the day I arrived in Australia, and so on.

Writing Zenmind Weekly for 17 weeks helped me build a habit of writing, which is the most valuable takeaway. When I didn’t know what to write, the weekly format reduced the friction of writing. Perhaps I’ve reached a turning point, and now I’m ready to try a different approach.

Upon reflection, I’ve realized that the weekly format has some drawbacks.

First, the lack of a title makes it unfocused, resembling a stream-of-consciousness journal. While it feels safe to list thoughts and insights each week, the depth is limited, and there’s little connection with readers. Without a title, readers can’t grasp the main theme without clicking into the article.

Second, I want to adopt a “one theme, one specific reader” writing style. The weekly format feels like shouting in a crowded room, whereas I now prefer something akin to a face-to-face conversation in a coffee shop. This approach feels more personal and fosters a closer connection with readers.

Third, the weekly format often leads to listing and collecting insights without diving deeply into a theme. Over time, this can create fatigue and a sense of just “getting it done,” which isn’t healthy.

Finally, the weekly format makes it hard to search for content. Articles often interweave ideas, and a title would make it easier to establish connections. Focusing on one theme per piece would also make the content more concise, allowing both me and the reader to quickly understand the essence through the title.