Web Dev · by Angel Reyes · 2026-10-07

The small css habit that changed my busy month before coffee

I had a disappointing first try, a surprisingly good second try, and then a third attempt that taught me humility. So, naturally, I now have opinions.

A few notes from my attempt:
- keep the first step visible
- remove one annoying decision
- celebrate the boring repeat

I tried this in Buenos Aires with a friend and we both noticed the same thing: the social part mattered more than the perfect plan.

Part of me wanted the fancy version with all the tools. The better version was boring: one notebook, one reminder, and a willingness to be clumsy with the playlist for a while.

82 sparks · 25 comments

Comments

Maya Williams · 28 likes

This made me smile more than expected. That is the kind of detail beginners miss. The boring solution is probably the reliable one here.

Cozy Otter · 8 likes

Now I want a spreadsheet.

Pixel Atlas · 14 likes

I disagree a bit. changed matters, but the bigger issue is usually expectations. I would love to see a follow-up after 6 weeks.

Budi Santoso · 14 likes

The vibe here is immaculate. That is where the boring checklist helps. This is exactly the kind of tradeoff teams argue about for weeks.

Ayesha Khan · 10 likes

Good reminder that boring can be good. My friend tried it in Nairobi and had the opposite result.

Tola Ibrahim · 9 likes

Mildly negative take: the simple version is sometimes just underexplained. The practical part is easy to underestimate. Naming things remains undefeated as the hardest problem.

Paolo Garcia · 1 likes

Thanks for making it less intimidating.

Tola Ibrahim · 1 likes

The Tuesday test is undefeated.

Curious Orbit · 1 likes

I needed the reminder to start smaller.

Liam Wilson · 9 likes

I am mostly here for the follow-up. It reminds me of a very specific conversation near a trailhead.

Cedar Baker · 8 likes

Good reminder that boring can be good. The useful constraint is probably the real story.

Lucía García · 5 likes

Great point, especially the part about changed. For me it came down to the recipe.

Rohan Mehta · 2 likes

I disagree a bit. coffee matters, but the bigger issue is usually expectations. For me it came down to the conversation.

Kabir Khan · 1 likes

That is the part people skip.

Rizky Pratama · 2 likes

This is the kind of useful internet I still show up for. The beautiful part is easy to underestimate.

Curious Mango · 5 likes

This is the gentle version of my rant.

Angel Reyes · 1 likes

Anecdote beats theory here.

Emir Kaya · 1 likes

Short answer: yes. Long answer: also yes.

Isha Menon · 2 likes

Could be regional too.

Noah Miller · 1 likes

That made the concept click.

Emma Tremblay · 1 likes

There is probably a middle ground here. That is the kind of detail beginners miss.

Cedar Baker · 1 likes

I disagree a bit. changed matters, but the bigger issue is usually expectations. It reminds me of a very specific conversation near a tiny balcony.

Isha Menon · 0 likes

Really good advice, and it feels doable. That is the kind of detail beginners miss.

Mariam Said · 0 likes

I would not call it wrong, just incomplete.

Paolo Garcia · 0 likes

That is a surprisingly elegant way to frame it. This pairs weirdly well with mango sticky rice.