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Ideas worth pausing for

In order to not post just for the sake of posting...

This week, I’m taking a break from writing a full post.
Working 70+ hours a week while maintaining my Instagram posting schedule, making the most of my time with my husband between Friday and Sunday (consulting life!), trying to have some semblance of a social life, carving out a little time for myself, and handling the never-ending admin tasks — it was tough to be creative.

But I still want to keep my commitment to reading more — and to sharing what I found worthy of your time.

The “What I Read This Week” name is overused (Chamath definitely has a monopoly on it). No one can replace him.
But if you’re like me and tired of doomscrolling and feeding dopamine urges, these are a few things I consumed (read + watched) this week that may be of interest:

1. Four Thousand Weeks
   While repetitive, I’ve been loving this book. I’ve had a strange relationship with time, and as I get closer to 30, a lot of existential questions have started coming up.
   This has been a reminder that in the end, we’re all dead anyway — but in much better language that’s been bookmark-worthy.
   Ideas I’ve been thinking about:

   • Infinite choices will never make us happy because something always gets left behind

   • The idea of a “better tomorrow” is just that — an idea. Life is happening now.

   More on this next week when I’ve read more.
   If you don’t want to commit to the book, check out this podcast instead.
   

2. Signalling as a Service - Julian Digital
   Starts by talking about how luxury goods (and sometimes software) are more about signalling than utility.
   Julian says platforms like IG aren’t signal creators, but signal amplifiers. You can now flex your status to a much larger audience.

   The big question was: What’s the software equivalent of an LV bag?
   I’ve been thinking about whether things like premium club memberships (aka the Soho House clones popping up in NYC), certain podcasts, or even content are just that.
   “I consume this, therefore I’m smart.”

   And by that logic — is this post also just that?
   I read these 5 things (which took me hours to curate so I don’t look stupid), so you should come back next week.
   Still chewing on that.

3. Ben Horowitz’ speech at Columbia (2015) - Don’t Follow Your Passion -
   Biggest takeaway: don’t follow your passion, follow your contribution.

   This idea isn’t new — I’ve come across it in other forms, but it always makes me think:

   • Not all passions can (or should) be monetized

   • Some passions are better left as hobbies — without the pressure of monetising them enough to pay rent (and more)

   • If you do find something you’re passionate about and that can make money and you can handle the stress — that’s gold

   • And like I mentioned in last week’s post about my mom — if you get good at something, passion often follows

   Ben says it better. Quick summary here.
   

4. 10 Thoughts From the Fourth Trimester - Wait but Why
   I’ve been obsessed with Tim Urban’s writing for a decade, but this is a post I always skipped. I thought parenting was a future me problem.
   But — deep breath, pause for dramatic effect — I don’t think that future is that far away anymore.

   Last week, I actually googled:

   “How to know you’re ready to be a parent.”

   Still shocked. This is not a baby announcement. Just sharing what’s been on my mind.
   Google was useless. ChatGPT (my new therapist?) was actually pretty good.
   And based on everything it said, I think I’m moderately ready — but my bank account is not.
   So we wait.

   Tim’s post was a breath of fresh air. Not long, but a fun read on time, legacy and what we pass on.
   

5. On X, Buffet’s Response to When did You Know You Were Rich - short enough that I don’t need to summarise. Been digging into way more of Warren Buffet’s content ever since yesterday’s announcement. It will complement the Ben Horowitz speech well though.
   

6. Last but not the least, my husband’s post on Why Uber is a Great Compounder Hiding in Plain Sight - he has been talking about how 10-15% of my portfolio should consist of Uber and how it has potential to give ~15-20% returns p.a. over the next 5 years. So if you’re curious to know why he says so, feel free to give this a read.

If you liked this format…

Let me know - comment, reply to the email or DM me on Instagram.

And if you have any “signal over noise” content pieces from your week, I’d love to steal them :)